After tirelessly serving our country, I experienced the unfortunate consequence of sustaining an injury during my military service. This injury has not only altered the trajectory of my life due to its severity but now, years later, I'm grappling with further repercussions that have led to the necessity of additional surgery. To make matters worse, at the time when I desperately needed support and recompense, I was informed that I was out of time to claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

This law that imposes strict time limits is unjust and fails to consider the lifelong challenges many veterans face due to service-related injuries. At its essence, such legislation does not fully acknowledge the fact that the consequences of these injuries often develop over time and can significantly worsen, demanding ongoing medical treatment and support. It's imperative that we recognize and address the unique struggles of veterans, ensuring they receive the timely aid they deserve without the constraint of an arbitrary deadline.

The current limitation often places additional burdens on those already struggling with their health and well-being. According to the British Legion, over 300,000 veterans have been affected by service-related injuries, many of whom are likely to be denied rightful compensation due to these restrictive time limits.

We propose an amendment to extend or eliminate these deadlines within the AFCS, allowing veterans who discover or experience deteriorating conditions over time to still file claims. This change would ensure that veterans are not left with the financial burden of ongoing care due to injuries sustained while protecting us.

Our government and military institutions have a duty of care to those who serve. It is time to fulfill that duty by updating this outdated aspect of the AFCS. Veterans like myself should not have to suffer without recourse merely because the effects of their injuries were not immediately clear or progressively worsened.

By signing this petition, you will be supporting a vital change for our veterans who have already sacrificed so much. Please stand with us in advocacy to ensure that no veteran is left behind due to their service, and that adequate support is available when it is most needed.