The Unexpected #MilitaryService #injuries explained by a Top #OrthopaedicSurgeon. https://www.slatergordon.com.au/personal-injury/military-compensation Many of the injuries sustained in Military service are not the ones the public might expect, with orthopaedic injuries increasingly common. An orthopaedic injury is simply an injury to musculoskeletal system. That musculoskeletal system consists of the skeleton itself, as well as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and vessels. The injury might be an acute injury, or it might be accrued over time as a repetitive use injury. And that can come from routine, basic fitness training and those regular activities like marching. For veterans, the most common, are lower limb injuries. They would be approximately 70% usually to the hip, knee or ankle. Then other injuries to the spine, very common, particularly the lower back, but also the neck and shoulders. And now rotate your head to the left as far as you're comfortable. Over the years the issues have been compounded by well-publicised equipment failures. In the past there has been a lot of problems with gear in terms of wrong types of boots being not fit for purpose. Also, body armor in the past was often a problem because it was poorly designed and put too much weight on a person's shoulders and backs. Pain from these injuries can continue long after service ends. Chronic pain does always have a profound effect, but the physical injuries may prevent the veteran from performing just any normal, everyday activities of daily living. Reducing the capacity of bend, lift, twist, sit for long periods of time, attend to the domestic chores, domestic duties in shopping, cooking, mowing the lawn, maintaining the house. Making a claim through DVA can provide lump sum compensation but also other benefits. You might be able to get someone to mow your lawn because you have back or lower limb problems or shoulder injuries, or there's a variety of injuries that could affect how you do things at home. Aids and appliances, things like a motorised wheelchair or remote control garage doors, orthotics for your shoes, walking sticks, hearing aids. So liability opens up the door to a whole miriade of benefits that you're entitled to claim, again depending on the severity of your injuries and that's why you normally would want DVA to tick off on all the boxes. An assessment by an Orthopaedic specialst is an important starting point. A lot of people think that all they have to do is go online to MyService or MyGov and fill out a form and that begins the process. Well it might register a claim but that's not going to mean you will necessarily have liability accepted for your injuries. Slater and Gordon's Military Compensation Lawyers have helped many thousands of injured veterans to receive the compensation they deserve. Call us now to discuss your circumstances - 1800 555 777.