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Military Compensation

Slater & Gordon is Australia’s leading military compensation law firm.

We are here to provide independent legal advice

If you have been injured or fallen ill on duty, you may be entitled to a range of benefits and compensation under Australian military compensation or veterans’ entitlement schemes. It is important that you obtain independent expert legal advice in the early stages of the claims process. Early investigation and gathering of information is critical to the success of your claim and may affect your compensation entitlement.

At Slater & Gordon we work solely on obtaining the best possible outcome for you. Our lawyers will ensure that your rights are protected and advise you of the full range of entitlements available to you and the process of obtaining them.

We can help you make a military compensation claim

In the case of injury, disease or death, you or your dependants may have entitlements under an Australian
military compensation or veterans’ entitlements scheme if you are:

a current or former member of the Australian Defence Force (permanent or reserves)
a current or former cadet, or an officer or instructor of cadets
a current or former member of the Australian Federal Police with approved overseas service
a dependant of any of the above persons.

Know your entitlements

You may be entitled to several types of benefits that can help you and your family through difficult times.
Your entitlements can be categorised broadly as follows:

1. Medical and rehabilitation
You can be entitled to medical and rehabilitation to help in your recovery and return to work where possible.
This covers medical, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation.

2. Income support if you are unable to work
If you are incapacitated for work due to accepted conditions, you may be entitled to incapacity payments to compensate you for loss of income and capacity to earn income.

3. Lump sums to cover permanent injuries
If your condition is deemed to be permanent you are entitled to permanent impairment payments as a periodic payment, a lump sum or a combination of both. Your level of impairment is assessed based on a set of uniform guidelines, which differs from a treating doctor’s assessment.

4. Other benefits
Other benefits you may be entitled to include disability pensions; aids and appliances; household and attendant
care services; alterations to place of work; education and residence; and pharmaceutical and telephone allowances.

5. Benefits for injuries caused by another person’s negligence
If you are seriously injured or ill due to the negligence of another person or organisation, you may be able to
sue them for compensation. This may be against the Commonwealth, another member of the ADF or a third party.

As a dependant of a service person who has died, you can still sue the Commonwealth or another member
of the ADF even if the deceased member choses not to instigate legal action for the injury or disease that
resulted in the death.

Time limits apply to make these claims and there are strict requirements so it is important that you obtain legal advice on whether to proceed.

We help with all types of claims

Physical injuries are not the only reason to make a claim. In fact, we have achieved successful outcomes for clients with many of the following military-related conditions:

Psychiatric problems including post-traumatic stress disorder
Emotional and behavioural problems including depression, nightmares, loss of concentration, hallucinations, bursts of anger, compulsive drinking, and the inability to maintain normal relationships
Heart and lung related disorders including heart attacks and asthma
Neurological problems including stroke, loss of senses (including speech) and the inability to reason,
communicate, comprehend and express yourself
Vertigo – dizziness and loss of balance
Gastrointestinal (digestive) disorders including reflux, constipation, loss of weight, vomiting, nausea,
diarrhoea, hernia, liver and gall bladder malfunction
Loss of all or part of hearing
Loss of all or part of eyesight and or cataracts
Sexual dysfunction including impotence and infertility.

We can help you lodge a claim

There are strict time frames for the provision of certain requested information or documentation and for
challenging decisions. All correspondence should be acknowledged within 28 days. Your entitlements may
be suspended and you may lose your rights to claim compensation if you fail to meet these deadlines.

Even if you’ve been knocked back, or think you’ve missed the deadline, it may not be too late to act. We advise that you contact us at Slater & Gordon so we can help you determine exactly where you stand.

Why choose Slater & Gordon?

Slater & Gordon’s military compensation lawyers are ready to take up the fight for you. We are Australia’s leading military compensation law firm, and we value the service and sacrifice of our veterans, defence personnel and their families.