The National Audit Office published a report in July as to the MoD's handling of compensation claims and Lesley Casey was interviewed by two of the study team as a result of the high number of cases she had successfully fought against the MoD. Lesley raised the fact that the MoD had come a long way in their claims handling procedures, particularly as most of the cases she has settled have done so following round table meetings with both sides legal teams present. This makes the ordeal of litigation much more bearable for a Claimant because it ensures certainty and can often ensure settlement is achieved much sooner than having to wait for a Trial date.
The report calls for the development of a more pro-active approach in the management of claims including more apologies and explanations. Only 14% of persons receiving compensation who took part in the survey said they had received an apology. It recommended that the accident prevention measures should be reviewed. It found that often, it wasn't just financial compensation which was a motivating factor to making a compensation claim, sometimes an explanation or an apology is just as important. Hopefully this will ensure that service personnel achieve parity with civilians injured who make claims in the Civil Courts for compensation, as for far too many years now, service personnel have not received the access to justice that their civilian counterparts receive in suing their employers for negligence in the Civil Courts.
For more legal information on military and catastrophic injury cases please contact Lesley Casey
If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to The NAO Report, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in The NAO Report.
If you have any comments in relation to The NAO Report, please use the online discussion forum.
Thank you so much for your help with this matter, it has been greatly appreciated: Elizabeth, Southgate
