injured whilst in basic training

sbloodworth

Billy, before following up on some of the advice re AFCS there are some questions that need to be answered. AFCS is not in order to be able to claim for a minor back sprain, but to recompense people for injuries sustained in the line of duty which has a marked impact on their lives ie broken bones, injuries that affect promotion or career continuance.

There are really 2 questions here. The first is: was the Army correct to discharge him rather than fix him?

The answer (bearing in mind I don;t have sight of his med docs) is Yes, they were. The rational behind this is that pre-existing injuries/medical problems, especially in the lower limbs or back, can have a marked impact upon general fitness, even after surgical correction. Sounds rough, but does make sense, but there is no point spending a lot of time and money on training a young lad if there is the likelihood that he will never be fully fit and hence A) become a burden to his Unit and will not be able to progress the career/promotion ladder due to his medical/fitness problems. What they quite rightly say is "Go get it fixed civvy side. Then, if you can prove that you are half-ways fit, we'll allow you to reapply and have another crack at Basic. If you pass without problems, you're in".

Second question is whether or not he is entitled to compensation from his back injury. This depends on the severity of the injury, any potential/actual future sequelae, and whether or not the injury was caused by duty. Ie if it was on the assault course etc, then he may be eligible. If he hurt it out on the lash that night down the town, then he isn't.

Like I said at the start, the AFCS is not to dole out cash for papercuts and reasonable aches, pains and sprains sustained in reasonable training, but to provide recompense for substancial injuries received in the line of duty.

Hope that helps.

new2civvystreet

sbloodworth wrote: »

Like I said at the start, the AFCS is not to dole out cash for papercuts and reasonable aches, pains and sprains sustained in reasonable training, but to provide recompense for substancial injuries received in the line of duty.

Although they will recompense for injuries sustained in training. I've got permanent sciatica and lower back pain incurred during basic over 2 years ago and the AFCS has compensated me. It is worth getting in touch with them. If you're not elligible they simply won't pay out but you'll have lost nothing trying.