£10m payout for servicemen seriously injured by roadside bombs

THREE FORMER servicemen seriously injured in Afghanistan have secured damages of more than £10m, lawyers have announced.

Lawyers have secured the settlements for the veterans who suffered severe injuries when their “inadequately-armoured” vehicles struck roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Simon Quinn, of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, said each of the three claimants had received a “seven-figure” settlement.

He added: “After a hard-fought and lengthy battle for compensation in which there were very real risks of failure, particularly regarding combat immunity, it has been a privilege to represent these claimants who have shown resilience, perseverance and sheer grit in their determination to achieve justice and hold the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to account.

“The seven-figure settlements we have reached in each case reflect the serious nature of the claimants’ injuries together with their subsequent medical discharge from the armed forces.”

A fleet of 166 Pinzgauer troop carriers, manufactured by BAE Systems, was introduced into combat operations in Afghanistan by the MoD in April 2007, Hilary Meredith said.

The law firm added that the vehicles were nicknamed “coffins on wheels” by UK troops because they provided inadequate blast protection.

It said that a Royal Marine serving with 42 Commando suffered injuries when the Pinzgauer Vector in which he was a front-seat passenger struck an improvised explosive device in October 2008.

In August the following year, a Pinzgauer truck struck an IED, causing the driver to suffer an above-knee amputation, and a Territorial Reserve officer in the front passenger seat to suffer severe psychological and physical injuries.

Hilary Meredith said in each case the claimants alleged that their injuries would have been avoided had they been travelling in “suitably-armoured vehicles”. The MoD argued that, due to combat immunity, no duty of care was owed. However, the MoD agreed to settle the claims.

The MoD has been approached for comment.