A former female Private was awarded £20,000 in an out of Court settlement by way of compensation for injuries that he sustained back in 2003 whilst serving in Cyprus.
He was taking part in protection duties when he was accidentally shot at close range by one of his colleagues. He was shot in his left leg, just above the left knee. He was initially treated at a Czechoslovakian field hospital where his wound was cleaned and shrapnel removed.
He was then admitted to a further field hospital for 3 or 4 days following which he was returned to the UK and admitted to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. Our client subsequently underwent wound debridement and cleaning and had a skin graft taken from his right thigh.
Our client continues to have thoughts of the military accident, and is constantly reminded of the serious nature of the incident on a daily basis by the appearance of the scarring. He is very conscious of the scarring and avoids talking about the accident.
The money awarded was not only for the injury that he sustained to his leg but also for the psychological effects that this traumatic event had.