Military Personnel Instruct Legal Experts To Investigate Injuries Including Hearing Loss

Specialist military lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have welcomed reported improvements to the British Army’s Ajax armoured vehicles, however say it’s “too little, too late” for those already injured.

Last week, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, explained that the Government intends to support members of the Armed Forces who are still serving and have been affected by noise and vibration issues surrounding the Ajax vehicles.

He went on to state that recent improvements in the programme is getting it “back on track”, however a number of military personnel have already suffered hearing loss after working with the tanks.

A number of those affected instructed specialist military injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.  They were previously based at the General Dynamic Facility in Merthyr Tydfil testing Ajax vehicles, with many still serving but due to be medically discharged later in the year, or having already left The Army as a result of their injuries, which were psychiatric as well as physical.

The legal experts at Irwin Mitchell launched legal proceedings against the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which has now admitted a breach of duty in all cases.  It comes after documents, disclosed as part of the proceedings, showed that the MoD was alive to the risks of noise and vibration in 2019 but didn’t put a stop to those working on the Ajax vehicles until much later, even as recently as last summer.

Expert Opinion

“Nothing can make up for the careers our clients have lost as a result of being exposed to damaging levels of noise and vibration while working on the Ajax programme.

We welcome the news that the programme is now subject to much-needed improvements, but for our clients the announcement is too little, too late. Not only have many of them lost their dream jobs, they’re also now forced to live with the daily suffering of hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as mental health issues brought on by their injuries.

While there is nothing that can be done to change what’s happened, we’re pleased the MoD has made admissions in all the cases we’re dealing with. We continue to support our clients and their families as we work towards securing them settlements which will ensure they have access to the specialist care and treatment they require.” Carol Purang, Military Injuries Lawyer