Loyalty And Stoicism Can Work To The Detriment Of Soldiers / Other Military Service Personnel

• Published date: 01 April 2022
• Law Firm: Gorvins Solicitors
• Author: Mr Gary Boyd

Our military personnel and veterans are a source of national pride and collective gratitude.

We rely on these men and women who dedicate themselves to a career in the Armed Forces. Quite justifiably, they're frequently praised for their stoicism and loyalty.

Yet, as an expert in military law, I frequently find this same stoicism and loyalty can work to their detriment as I believe it explains the unwillingness to make a civil personal injury claim.

DON'T LEAVE IT TOO LONG TO PURSUE LITIGATION

These inherently reluctant litigants often wait until long after they've hung up their uniforms before considering taking legal advice over injuries sustained during military service. In the case of some veterans, that wait spans many years, resulting in their cases becoming 'statute barred' - in other words, too late to pursue.

We could regard such fortitude as a fabled breath of fresh air. After all, there is a perception we live in litigious times, when the mildest suggestion of hurt feelings blows open the gateway to civil action. So, it's refreshing to know there are some who...