Soldier Wins MoD Payout After Catching Disease

An experienced soldier struck down with a life-changing disease has been awarded compensation by the Ministry of Defence after Army medics attempted to treat him with paracetamol.

The veteran, who served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Sierra Leone during a 13-year career, has to undergo monthly hospital treatment as a result of contracting Q fever in Afghanistan in 2012.

Q fever is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected animals.

It can be contracted by contaminated particles being breathed in or entering the eyes or a skin cut.

The married father-of-one, who asked not to be named, said his physical and mental health has been significantly affected.

He has since left the military, but now suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

The veteran said he was awarded a five-figure out-of-court settlement from the MoD, and now wants to use the experience to raise awareness of the disease, which is caused by a bacteria from animals and develops into spores which are inhaled.

The former Lance Corporal, from Merseyside, said he was not vaccinated and developed symptoms within days of his deployment.

He said the doctor gave him paracetamol, and dismissed his high temperature, dizziness and sight problems as simply being "run down". He said:

"I was a squaddie for so many years, I wasn't just after sympathy."

"It felt like if you don't have broken bones or gun-shot wounds, they wouldn't take any notice and I worry that there are guys in the same situation as me who are being fobbed off."

After finishing his deployment, the serviceman went straight to an NHS hospital and it was there that they diagnosed Q fever, also known as Helmand fever.

He was put on antibiotics for six months and still has to go to hospital every month for treatment.

The former soldier added: "I used to be extremely physically fit and strong minded but since this I've been affected physically and mentally.

"I used to play football at a high level but I tried running a few miles recently and I was in agony."

"I've never suffered from stress or anxiety before but over the last year I've been bad.

"I've never gone down the drugs or alcohol route but I can see how some ex-soldiers do and that's why I really want to raise awareness that you need to battle to get medical help."

His lawyer Zoe Sutton, from Slater and Gordon, said: "Members of our Armed Forces do a difficult and dangerous job.

"They understand the risks involved in their work but the least they expect is to be protected where possible.

"As well as not receiving prompt antibiotic treatment, this disease wasn't diagnosed until he returned to the UK months later."

"Doctors here couldn't understand how Army doctors hadn't recognised the symptoms despite it being prevalent in the area.

"It's been five years since my client contracted this disease and he is still suffering and worries that he will never recover."

"His main priority now is to raise awareness of this illness so that other servicemen can gain a better understanding and be proactive in the diagnosis to ensure that they get the prompt antibiotic treatment to stop the chronic effects developing."