Gunner & Artillery
NIHL Claims
Artillery gunners, infantry machine gunners and mortar crews face some of the most extreme noise exposures in the British Army. If you have hearing loss or tinnitus from weapons fire, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Jonathan Cloudsdale is highly experienced in military NIHL claims for gunners and artillery personnel and has handled a number of high-value cases. Speak to him confidentially — no obligation, no upfront cost.
No obligation · No upfront cost · Confidential
No Win, No Fee
Military Injury Claims on a No Win, No Fee Basis
We handle military injury claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement — meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee (capped at 25% of your damages) is deducted from your compensation. You will never be out of pocket.
Noise Levels from Military Weapons
The following table shows typical peak noise levels from the main weapons used by British Army gunners and infantry. The exposure limit value under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 is 140 dB(C) peak.
| Weapon | Peak Noise Level | Role |
|---|---|---|
| AS90 self-propelled gun | 155–165 dB(C) peak | Artillery |
| L118 light gun | 160–170 dB(C) peak | Artillery |
| L131 105mm field gun | 155–165 dB(C) peak | Artillery |
| SA80 / L85A2 (rifle) | 155–160 dB(C) peak | Infantry |
| GPMG (L7A2) | 158–163 dB(C) peak | Infantry |
| 81mm mortar | 155–165 dB(C) peak | Infantry |
| Heavy machine gun (L6 Wombat) | 155–165 dB(C) peak | Infantry |
All levels shown significantly exceed the 140 dB(C) peak exposure limit value. Even a single unprotected exposure can cause permanent hearing damage.
Why the rM-NIHL Methodology Matters for Gunners
Standard occupational NIHL diagnostic methods (CLB/LCB) were developed for continuous industrial noise and systematically under-diagnose hearing loss caused by the extreme impulsive noise of weapons fire. This is particularly significant for gunners, whose hearing damage is caused almost entirely by impulsive noise.
The rM-NIHL methodology, confirmed as the preferred approach in Abbott v Ministry of Defence [2026], is specifically designed to assess hearing loss from military impulsive noise. Using the correct methodology can significantly increase the assessed level of hearing damage — and therefore the compensation awarded. We work with audiologists experienced in rM-NIHL to ensure your hearing damage is properly quantified.
Compensation: JCG 18th Edition Brackets
General damages for noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are assessed by reference to the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition, 2024).
Judicial College Guidelines
Typical Damages for Military Injuries
The figures below are general damages guidelines from the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition) — the reference used by courts and insurers across England and Wales to value injury claims. They cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity only.
In military injury cases, the total value of a claim is often substantially higher once special damages are included — past and future care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations. Civil claims against the MOD can result in higher awards than AFCS tariff payments.
Every case is different. Jonathan Cloudsdale will give you a realistic, honest assessment of what your specific claim may be worth — at no cost and with no obligation.
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus (Military)
Total deafness and loss of speech
£144,860 – £185,840
Deafness at an early age preventing or seriously affecting development of normal speech
Total deafness (both ears)
£119,890 – £144,860
Lower end where no speech deficit or tinnitus; higher end where both are present
Total loss of hearing in one ear
£41,370 – £60,160
Towards higher end where associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches
Severe tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
£39,250 – £60,160
Severe tinnitus combined with significant NIHL
Moderate tinnitus and NIHL, or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone
£19,680 – £39,250
Moderate tinnitus with moderate NIHL, or either condition at moderate to severe level
Mild tinnitus with some NIHL
£16,640 – £19,680
Mild tinnitus combined with some noise-induced hearing loss
Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone
Around £15,480
Either condition in isolation at mild level
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL
£9,720 – £16,640
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight noise-induced hearing loss
Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL
Up to £9,260
Either condition in isolation at slight level
Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (5 years)
Around £6,610
E.g. period until surgical cure for conductive hearing loss, or acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss
Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (15 years)
Around £12,820
Longer acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total deafness and loss of speech | £144,860 – £185,840 | Deafness at an early age preventing or seriously affecting development of normal speech |
| Total deafness (both ears) | £119,890 – £144,860 | Lower end where no speech deficit or tinnitus; higher end where both are present |
| Total loss of hearing in one ear | £41,370 – £60,160 | Towards higher end where associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches |
| Severe tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) | £39,250 – £60,160 | Severe tinnitus combined with significant NIHL |
| Moderate tinnitus and NIHL, or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone | £19,680 – £39,250 | Moderate tinnitus with moderate NIHL, or either condition at moderate to severe level |
| Mild tinnitus with some NIHL | £16,640 – £19,680 | Mild tinnitus combined with some noise-induced hearing loss |
| Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone | Around £15,480 | Either condition in isolation at mild level |
| Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL | £9,720 – £16,640 | Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight noise-induced hearing loss |
| Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL | Up to £9,260 | Either condition in isolation at slight level |
| Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (5 years) | Around £6,610 | E.g. period until surgical cure for conductive hearing loss, or acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss |
| Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (15 years) | Around £12,820 | Longer acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss |
PTSD & Psychiatric Injury
General Psychiatric Injury — Severe
£72,440 – £152,900
Marked problems with ability to cope with life, education and work; effect on relationships; treatment unlikely to be successful; future vulnerability; very poor prognosis.
General Psychiatric Injury — Moderately Severe
£25,190 – £72,440
Significant problems with coping, relationships and employment but more optimistic prognosis than severe. Includes psychiatric injury following negligent stillbirth/traumatic birth and work-related stress causing permanent or long-standing disability preventing return to comparable employment.
General Psychiatric Injury — Moderate
£7,740 – £25,190
Problems with coping and relationships but marked improvement by trial; good prognosis. Work-related stress cases may fall here if symptoms are not prolonged.
General Psychiatric Injury — Less Severe
£2,040 – £7,740
Award takes into account the length of the period of disability and the extent to which daily activities and sleep were affected.
PTSD — Severe
£79,080 – £133,000
Permanent effects preventing the injured person from working at all or from functioning at anything approaching the pre-trauma level. All aspects of life badly affected. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disturbance, avoidance, mood disorders, suicidal ideation and hyper-arousal.
PTSD — Moderately Severe
£30,580 – £79,080
Better prognosis than severe — some recovery with professional help — but significant disability for the foreseeable future. The majority of awards in this bracket fall between £38,000 and £49,040.
PTSD — Moderate
£10,810 – £30,580
Injured person will have largely recovered; any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling.
PTSD — Less Severe
£5,220 – £10,810
Virtually full recovery made within one to two years; only minor symptoms persist over any longer period.
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Psychiatric Injury — Severe | £72,440 – £152,900 | Marked problems with ability to cope with life, education and work; effect on relationships; treatment unlikely to be successful; future vulnerability; very poor prognosis. |
| General Psychiatric Injury — Moderately Severe | £25,190 – £72,440 | Significant problems with coping, relationships and employment but more optimistic prognosis than severe. Includes psychiatric injury following negligent stillbirth/traumatic birth and work-related stress causing permanent or long-standing disability preventing return to comparable employment. |
| General Psychiatric Injury — Moderate | £7,740 – £25,190 | Problems with coping and relationships but marked improvement by trial; good prognosis. Work-related stress cases may fall here if symptoms are not prolonged. |
| General Psychiatric Injury — Less Severe | £2,040 – £7,740 | Award takes into account the length of the period of disability and the extent to which daily activities and sleep were affected. |
| PTSD — Severe | £79,080 – £133,000 | Permanent effects preventing the injured person from working at all or from functioning at anything approaching the pre-trauma level. All aspects of life badly affected. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disturbance, avoidance, mood disorders, suicidal ideation and hyper-arousal. |
| PTSD — Moderately Severe | £30,580 – £79,080 | Better prognosis than severe — some recovery with professional help — but significant disability for the foreseeable future. The majority of awards in this bracket fall between £38,000 and £49,040. |
| PTSD — Moderate | £10,810 – £30,580 | Injured person will have largely recovered; any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling. |
| PTSD — Less Severe | £5,220 – £10,810 | Virtually full recovery made within one to two years; only minor symptoms persist over any longer period. |
These are guidelines only
Compensation figures are general damages guidelines only. Your actual award will depend on the specific facts of your case, the severity of your injury, its impact on your life and employment, and the claim route taken. Civil claims against the MOD can result in higher awards than AFCS tariff payments. Special damages (care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation) are calculated separately and can significantly increase the total value of your claim. Speak to Jonathan Cloudsdale for a free, no-obligation assessment of your specific circumstances.
Your Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Claims & Personal Injury
Over 10 years' specialist experience in complex military claims, personal injury, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. Multiple six-figure settlements achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
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