Former soldier, 33, who suffered hearing loss after he was deafened by an explosion during a training exercise wins £350,000 payout from MoD
- Mr Bacon-Sharratt lost his hearing after an explosion at a demonstration in 2016
- A six-figure payout will give him access to support and therapies for his injury
A former British soldier who was left with hearing loss from an explosion during a training exercise has won a £350,000 pay-out from the Ministry of Defence.
Infantryman Vance Bacon-Sharratt, 33, was forced to leave the Mercian Regiment because of his injury.
Medical negligence lawyers have helped the soldier from Nottinghamshire to successfully sue the Ministry of Defence.
He said: ‘I have gone through many ups and downs and to this day I still struggle to come to terms with what’s happened.
‘Despite everything, I’m grateful for the support I’ve had and wanted to share my story to make others aware of the help available.’
Vance Bacon-Sharratt, diagnosed with hearing loss after an explosion at a firepower demo
The father-of-two was injured while attending a firepower demonstration (FPD) in October 2016.
The demonstrations are opportunities for personnel to practice scenarios, use equipment and kit.
Mr Bacon-Sharratt enlisted in the army in November 2008 but his career ended in March 2018 after the injury in October 2016.
The explosion left him with hearing loss, pain and tinnitus.
Lawyers say the pay-out will allow him to access support and the therapies needed after the MoD denied liability.
‘When the explosion happened at the FPD, I felt the effects instantly.
‘I couldn’t hear properly, but at the same time there was a ringing in my ears.
‘I ended up being diagnosed with hearing loss and tinnitus, which explained the discomfort I was experiencing.
‘It was extremely difficult to adapt my life around my diagnosis, which is why I felt like I had no option but to leave The Army, even though it was a career I’d always dreamed of.’
He added: ‘I’m also determined to move on with my life and not let my hearing loss stop me from living it to the full.’
Vance is now a driving instructor and has a partner, Jemma, and two daughters.
Legal experts secured Vance, pictured, a settlement of £350,000 to help access therapies
Army tank driver who claims he suffers hearing loss from when he went to war in Afghanistan without ear defenders after they were posted to the wrong address is suing MoD for £160,000
Chelsea Towner, the specialist military injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Vance, said: ‘The last few years have been incredibly difficult for Vance.
‘Firstly coming to terms with his diagnosis and then making the tough decision to leave behind a career he loved.
‘All employers have a duty of care to protect their employees and through our work, we come across too many people who have sustained injury while serving in The Army.
‘Hearing loss and tinnitus are serious health issues, the psychological and physical effects of which should never be downplayed.
‘While nothing will make up for what Vance has suffered, we’re pleased to have been able to help secure him settlement which will hopefully allow him to move forward with his life as best he can.’
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: ‘The health and wellbeing of our people is always our priority.
‘We carefully assess noise levels and provide hearing protection when asking personnel to undertake duties in noisy environments.
‘We have reached an out of court settlement with Mr Bacon-Sharratt.
‘It would be inappropriate to comment on the terms of the settlement.’
James Barry, pictured here outside the High Court, said he had wanted to join the SBS but was forced to leave the armed forces due to the damage to his hearing
In January 2023, a former Royal Marine sued the Ministry of Defence for £1.5mn after developing tinnitus and hearing loss from wearing ‘useless’ earplugs during training exercises.
The 34-year-old, who now works as a lorry driver, told a judge ‘hearing loss and tinnitus’ were caused by his ‘exposure to noise during his service in the Royal Marines’ between 2013 and 2017.
The MoD accepted primary liability for the claims, but argues that Mr Barry was partly to blame as he did not use the ear protection when required.
It also disputes the amount of damages claimed.
Thomas Borley, pictured, 33, was serving as an Armoured Cavalry soldier before his military career was cut short in 2016
In September 2022, a soldier left with hearing loss and tinnitus after being deafened on the firing range was awarded £300,000 from the Ministry of Defence.
Thomas Borley blamed faulty ear defenders on his injury.
He said the payout would help him to find specialist therapies and to retrain and find a new job.
Mr Borley initially made a claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and was awarded £6,000.
However, he did not believe this was enough to cover his loss of earnings and pension so he instructed medical negligence lawyers to investigate his case.
The Ministry of Defence denied liability but later agreed a £300,000 out of court settlement.
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