An ex-soldier received £620,000 in damages from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in July for stress suffered while on duty – an award believed to be the first of its kind.
Malcolm New, from Llandudno, claimed at the High Court that the MoD failed to identify and treat his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which had resulted from repeated stress during five tours in Northern Ireland.
Speaking after the judgment, New’s solicitor, Richard Scorer, said he hoped the case would help change the way “psychiatric casualties of warfare” were dealt with by the Armed Forces.
“Just because the injury is psychological, it doesn’t make it any less real or any less deserving of treatment,” Scorer said.
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The MoD said in a statement: “The MoD recognises post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a serious and disabling condition. We attach a high priority to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, and work hard to ensure our personnel receive the best possible care. Clearly, in these cases there were failings, which the MoD very much regrets and will work to ensure are not repeated.”
New made his claims alongside two other soldiers, whose damages have yet to be assessed
