MoD pays six-figure compensation sum after PTSD case
25 Aug 2010
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been forced to pay a six-figure
sum in
personal
injury compensation, following a case which could open the
floodgates for more post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
claims.
A former bomb disposal expert - who cannot be named for legal
reasons - had been left struggling after witnessing conflict in the
Gulf war, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
He began to feel particularly ill in 1998 and 1999 and underwent
psychometric testing by an army psychiatrist, but was cleared for
service on future operations.
Despite this, the victim continued to feel mentally unwell and
eventually went to see a civilian psychologist in June 2004,
whereupon he was diagnosed with PTSD.
Two weeks later, the soldier suffered a breakdown and crashed his
car. He had to be medically discharged by the MoD.
After seeking medical advice, the serviceman discovered that his
deterioration would not have been so severe had the army treated
his symptoms when he first sought help.
As a result, he decided to take legal action for a failure to
properly diagnose and treat PTSD.
The MoD initially argued that the claim for personal injury
compensation was outside the time limit of three years, but it has
now agreed to a six-figure out-of-court settlement.
"PTSD is unfortunately still a taboo subject in the army and I hope
that this case serves to remind the MoD that they have a continuing
duty of supervision and monitoring," said the victim's legal
representative.
Melanie Williams, a partner at Hodge Jones & Allen and a
specialist in handling PTSD compensation claims, commented: "At
Hodge Jones & Allen, we have dealt with many former servicemen
and servicewomen who have served their country and then felt
abandoned when they are in need of help. PTSD can be an extremely
debilitating condition and the best prospect for recovery is
generally to provide the appropriate treatment at an early
stage."
