Army’s £36m on trench foot compensation
Payout for pain linked to WWI
NEARLY £36million has been paid out to troops suffering cold foot injuries associated with First World War trenches.
In the last five years, 1,250 have successfully sued the Ministry of Defence after developing “trench foot” in freezing conditions.
Officially called a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI), the condition causes acute, chronic pain.
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information show 799 troops won payouts totalling £6.5million under the Armed Forces compensation scheme.
A further 451 serving and former personnel were awarded £29.3million after privately suing the MoD for negligence.
Last year alone, 231 former or serving troops won compensation after suffering cold feet.
Solicitor Simon Quinn, whose firm Hilary Meredith has represented hundreds of soldiers with the condition, said: “Despite the advances in clothing technology NFCIs remain a serious problem.
“But they are often preventable by the MoD and should not still occur in the 21st century.”
Our probe found 400 serving or ex-squaddies have received up to £149,000 since 2012 – while 41 were awarded £150,000 or more.
One unnamed soldier was awarded more than £800,000.
He suffered an NFCI after plunging waist-deep into icy water on a 2012 night exercise.
Despite complaining of the cold during a three-hour patrol, he was told: “Wind your neck in.”
After 10 years of service, he was medically discharged in 2016.
The MoD said: “Our people get regular education and the right kit for cold conditions but this type of injury can affect anyone.”