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NFCI Non-Freezing Cold Injury Claims
If you have experienced an NFCI during your military service, you may be eligible for compensation.
Get Started >>From 31 August 2012 to 31 March 2017, the MoD settled 485 NFCI claims, paying out £26.6m in damages.
What is a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI)?
An NFCI is a type of injury that occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions. This can include exposure to rain, snow, and ice, as well as immersion in cold water. NFCIs can cause long-term damage to the nerves, muscles, and blood vessels in the affected area.
What Are the Symptoms of a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI)?
The symptoms of an NFCI can vary, but may include numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the affected area. In some cases, individuals may also experience changes in skin colour and texture. However, there are different types of NFCI and each have different symptoms.
Steps to Make a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) Claim
Step 1
Fill out our free online form within minutes to give us your details.
Step 2
Speak to a member of our Claims Management Team.
Step 3
Get immediate feedback, and get a final decision in weeks.
How Does Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) Affect Soldiers?
NFCI may sound like a minor injury, but it can often lead to the end of a soldier’s service.
Military personnel who suffer from severe NFCI will often be discharged from duty or medically demoted from the armed forces. NFCI could even have a severe impact on their career growth through missed opportunities and lost earnings.
Above all, NFCI can cause emotional and physical distress due to the pain and the impact on one’s life.
What Are the Types of Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI)?
Chilblains Claims
Chilblains are red, itchy, swollen bumps on the skin. Short periods of exposure to frosty conditions can trigger chilblains. This happens because the small blood vessels in your extremities constrict when you get too cold, meaning your blood flow to these areas is restricted. When you are finally able to warm up again, your blood vessels enlarge and the blood gets to your skin too quickly, resulting in pain, swelling, and redness.
Chilblains tend to clear up on their own, so you can self-treat them without medical intervention.
Trench Foot Claims
Trench foot is a severe NFCI which results from spending hours exposed to frosty temperatures. The longer you spend in extremely low temperatures, the worse this injury gets, especially when wearing tight or damp footwear.
Common symptoms include:
- Shooting pain
- Bleeding
- Redness
- Numbness
- Darkened skin
- Sensitivity
This injury will typically affect your hands, feet, genitals, etc. It can be extremely severe, and even cause permanent damage, especially in the later phases.
How Much Compensation Can You Get For a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) Claim?
Individuals with NFCI can receive compensation payments ranging from £6,000 to £10,800 through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, depending on their circumstances. Individuals who are medically discharged may also be eligible for higher compensation.
However, the compensation you receive depends on factors such as:
- Your age
- The severity of your NFCI
- Whether you’ve been medically discharged from the armed forces
- If you are from the commonwealth
- Whether you have lost your British residency
- How fast you can get alternative employment after discharge
What Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) Claims Can You Make?
General Damages compensates the pain and suffering inflicted by the injury. An independent medical expert will assess the severity of your injury and the expected duration of recovery. Generally, the longer the healing period and the more severe the injury, the higher the compensation. In the case of NFCI, mental distress and decreased quality of life are also covered by General Damages.
Special Damages provide compensation for expenses you incurred because of the injury, such as medical treatments. Retain all the receipts of your expenses as evidence to support your claim. Special Damages also cover other financial losses that you may have experienced due to the injury, such as lost earnings, pensions, and service benefits.
Are You Eligible to Make a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) Claim?
You may be entitled to compensation for your NFCI, especially if your injury was due to negligence from the The Ministry of Defence (MoD). The MoD is required to protect its military personnel from injuries like NFCI. They owe you a duty of care to protect you from avoidable harm. Failure to do so will result in penalties against them, such as compensating you.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) Claims
- Which documents do I need to make an NFCI claim?
- Do I need legal representation when making an NFCI claim?
- What information do I need when applying for my NFCI claim?
- What are the 4 stages to an NFCI injury?
- What is the deadline for making a NFCI claim?
- Can I make a NFCI claim if I've been discharged?
To make an NFCI claim, you will need to gather and provide the following information and documentation:
- Your personal details, including your full name, date of birth, and service number.
- Details of the incident that caused your NFCI, including the date, time, and location.
- Medical records and reports documenting your injury, including the severity of the injury, your treatment plan, and your expected recovery time.
- Documentation of any out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of the injury, such as medical bills, travel expenses, and lost earnings.
- Evidence to support your claim, such as witness statements or photographs of the conditions that caused your NFCI.
While hiring a legal professional is not mandatory to make an NFCI claim, it is highly recommended to work with one. An experienced legal professional can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Yes, you can still make an NFCI claim if you have already been discharged from the armed forces as long as it is within the 3 year window that begins at your diagnosis. However, the compensation amount you receive may differ depending on your circumstances, such as your ability to find alternative employment after discharge.
- Stage 1 – Injury or cold phase. The affected area is cold and numb.
- Stage 2 – Immediate post injury. The colour of the skin changes from white to blue when warmed but remains cold and numb.
- Stage 3 – Hyperaemic phase. The skin becomes hot, dry, red, and painful. There may also be some blistering.
- Stage 4 – Post Hyperaemic Phase. Increased sensitivity to the cold, as well as increased, ongoing pain. There may also be muscle atrophy and ulceration.
The time limit for making an NFCI claim is three years from the date of diagnosis. This means you have three years to file your claim starting from the date you first received your NFCI diagnosis.
Yes, you can still make an NFCI claim if you have already been discharged from the armed forces as long as it is within the 3 year window that begins at your diagnosis. However, the compensation amount you receive may differ depending on your circumstances, such as your ability to find alternative employment after discharge.