Not since the PPI claims scandal have we seen such an increase in compensation claims that we’ve seen with military injury claims. And with good cause as well because there are thousands of ex-service men and women who are suffering through a physical or mental injury.

Incidents that occur in a hostile environment can have a permanent impact on the physical ability of ex armed forces members as well as their families. As well as disabilities and life changing injuries, many also develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Survivors Guilt which can often go un-noticed leaving many to suffer in silence.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is said to affect around one in 20 UK troops, threatening many ex-servicemen and women with failed marriages, drinking problems and even homelessness. Now a recogneised illness, most cases of PTSD don’t show until 18 months after leaving the Armed forces environment and ex-members take 14 years on average to seek any help.

Thankfully, whenever PTSD is acknowledged or spotted, there are now advanced treatments on offer to soldiers including Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In a session of EMDR, a patient talks about a traumatic incident while a therapist helps to reprogramme the memory. CBT helps a patient to confront their fear by using sounds, pictures and speech with the aim of restoring normality.