The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) commemorates its 12th anniversary on June 23rd, 2025, for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).
The platform aims to highlight the under-representation of women engineers globally, with only 16.5% of UK engineers being women in 2021.
It promotes gender diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and highlights the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, which provides compensation for musculoskeletal injuries during military service.
Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Females in the Military
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are a significant issue for female military members and recruits.
Female soldiers are at greater risk during training and deployment due to specific injuries from military training, work, and recreation compared to their male peers.
The musculoskeletal system tissues are the source of this non-cancer pain, which can be localized or broad and range in severity from mild to chronic, impairing independence, quality of life, and productivity at work.
Musculoskeletal pain can affect you:
- Bones.
- Joints.
- Ligaments.
- Skeletal muscles.
- Tendons.
Identifying the Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries
Due to a variety of anatomical, physiological, and hormonal factors, as well as lifestyle and societal influences, women suffer from various kinds of musculoskeletal injuries than men.
These elements may make women more susceptible to specific accidents and musculoskeletal conditions. Such as:
- Sprains: Injuries to ligaments, which connect bones at joints.
- Strains: Injuries to muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones.
- Fractures: Breaks in bones.
- Dislocations: Displacement of a joint.
- Arthritis: Inflammation of joints, causing pain and stiffness.
- Other conditions: Including tendinitis, bursitis, and fibromyalgia.
Symptoms you may experience:
- Pain, which can be localized or radiating.
- Stiffness and limited movement.
- Swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness.
- Muscle spasms.
If you suspect a musculoskeletal injury, it is crucial to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding the Causes of Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal pain, often sudden and chronic, is primarily caused by injuries, which can affect anyone at any age, especially athletes and those performing manual labour, and can be exacerbated by improper healing.
It is often caused by muscle strains and chronic conditions. Affecting the body’s skeletal and muscular systems, causing symptoms like pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
The following injuries are examples of the causes of acute musculoskeletal pain:
- Trauma: From accidents, sports injuries, or falls.
- Overuse: From repetitive movements or physical exertion.
- Age: MSK conditions become more common with age.
- Genetics: Some MSK conditions have a genetic component.
- Work-related factors: Such as lifting heavy objects, repetitive movements, or exposure to vibration.
- Other factors: Include obesity, smoking, and poor posture.
How can I treat Musculoskeletal Injuries?
Musculoskeletal pain treatment depends on the affected tissue, severity, and underlying cause.
Conservative treatments like rest, pain medicines, and cold therapy can help with mild injuries. For serious or complex causes, healthcare providers recommend a personalized treatment plan.
Chronic pain management aims to minimize symptoms, with some examples of treatments and pain management.
Some examples of treatments and pain management include:
- Rest and immobilization: Using splints, braces, or casts to protect the injured area.
- Physical therapy: To restore range of motion and strength.
- Medications: To relieve pain and inflammation.
- Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissues.
- Lifestyle modifications include weight management, smoking cessation, and improved posture.
Frequently asked questions:
Female Veterans and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS):
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a compensation scheme for service personnel who suffered injuries or illnesses during their service on or after April 6th, 2005.
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme covers all regular service personnel, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, and members of the reserves for all three services. You can claim whether you still serve or have left HM Armed Forces.
It is a no-fault system, and claimants must prove their injury, or illness was caused or worsened by service and meet a set descriptor.
Oakwood Solicitors Ltd can assist in pursuing a claim for injuries or illnesses caused by service in the UK Armed Forces, including hearing loss, arthritis, amputations, and mental health issues.
Claiming Compensation: What can Servicewomen claim for?
Female veterans often lack awareness about claiming under the AFCS or War Pension schemes, with only 9% of claims brought by women since 2005.
They can claim for any injury or illness caused by their service, with musculoskeletal injuries being the most common.
However, some injuries may disproportionately affect female service personnel.
Common injuries affecting female personnel:
- Pelvic MSK injuries: Short female military personnel are more likely to suffer from hip or pelvic stress fractures and thigh overuse injuries than males, due to prolonged marching and overstriding. Female Officer Cadets and RAF trainees are 48 times more likely to experience this.
- Sexual harassment and assault persist as significant concerns for women in the military, causing lasting physical and mental health issues and potentially PTSD.
- Pre/post-natal depression: Female veterans frequently suffer mental injuries due to pregnancy, maternity leave, and military-related challenges, with a higher risk of medical downgrading due to mental disorders, according to an MoD report.
- Reproductive health injury: Energy reserve deficiency can significantly affect women’s reproductive health, leading to irregular periods and lower oestrogen levels, affecting bone health, especially during exercise or deployment, where inadequate nutrition or sleep may be present.
Please contact us if you need help or would like to speak with one of our solicitors in confidence.
What is the process of a Military Injury Claim?
Once we receive your inquiry, we would like to have a brief telephone conversation to obtain all the relevant details we need and assess the prospects of the claim.
Once this information is received, we will make a quick decision and if we can proceed with your claim, we will get things underway, and a claim will be submitted to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
We will continue to liaise with you and the AFCS until a decision is made, and the right level of compensation is received.
Can you make an AFCS claim yourself?
The AFCS is designed so that a lay person can apply by themselves, so it is completely fine to submit a claim yourself. However, the complexity of the schemes means that many personnel choose to obtain legal representation to guide them through the process.
Anyone wishing to make an AFCS claim can do so either by completing a paper form or by using the online portal on the government AFCS webpage.
It is important to note that if you are claiming under the AFCS, the time limit for making an application is seven years from the earliest of either:
- The date of the incident that caused the injury or illness.
- The date on which an injury or illness was made worse by service.
- In the case of illness, the date of first seeking medical advice; or
- the date of discharge.
Once an application is submitted, Veterans UK will usually request a copy of your service records. However, it is possible to request copies of your records using a Subject Access Request.
How much compensation will I receive for my claim?
In every case, all relevant evidence and information will be gathered, and all relevant facts carefully considered in the assessment of the claim in order to make a reasonable, well-documented decision.
This ensures that the award is comprehensive, accurate, and equitable from the outset. It should accurately reflect the injury or injuries which have been caused by service.
Further information:
Female Veterans and The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme | Hugh James.
Musculoskeletal Pain.
Oakwood solicitors military personal injury claims.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Oakwood Solicitors Ltd is a law firm with experienced military claims experts specializing in complex cases like hearing loss, PTSD, and medical negligence.
We can assist with will writing, property, and family law, supporting Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists, and have partnered with veterans’ charity Front Foot.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
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Liam Hill is a Solicitor and Deputy Head of the Industrial Disease Team, having trained and qualified at Oakwood Solicitors. Liam joined us in 2013 after successfully completing the Legal Practice C…
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