Over 10,000 individuals are pursuing legal action against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for hearing impairment resulting from military service, a number significantly surpassing previous estimations.
The potential compensation amounts to billions of pounds, spurred by recent victories where two Royal Marines, afflicted with hearing loss, were awarded payouts of £500,000 and £700,000. This revelation comes on the heels of a legal setback for defence authorities attempting to consolidate numerous cases.
Court documents disclose that Hugh James solicitors are handling 3,500 claims, while an additional 18 law firms are representing at least 7,000 more cases.
With he majority of these cases are anticipated to be heard individually, the process could extend over several years.
Official records reveal that the MoD disbursed £95 million over nine years to address claims related to hearing loss and tinnitus. A legal insider attributes the prevalent hearing impairments to factors such as explosions, gunfire and the cacophony from engines and fast jets. These auditory issues not only curtail military careers prematurely but also impose limitations on veterans’ post-service opportunities.
According to the source, compensation extends to covering the potential lifetime income loss that individuals may have incurred if not for their hearing impairment. The Royal British Legion Poppy Charity estimates that approximately 300,000 veterans are currently grappling with varying degrees of hearing loss.
The statistics presented by the Royal British Legion Poppy Charity, estimating 300,000 veterans coping with hearing loss, further underscore the urgent need for awareness and redress in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the impact of military service on the well-being of those who have served.
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