Royal Marines and Soldiers Settle Ministry of Defence Asbestos Claim After Latvia Exercise Exposure

A group of former Royal Marines Commandos and soldiers has secured an out-of-court settlement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) following allegations of asbestos exposure. The claims stem from a 2017 training exercise conducted at the Adazi military base in Latvia.

The service personnel asserted that they were exposed to asbestos and other hazardous materials while undertaking drills within dilapidated buildings on the base. Legal representation for the claimants stated that their clients suffered "respiratory injuries, including scarring to the lungs and exacerbated asthma," attributable to the alleged exposure.

Following a period of negotiation, the MoD agreed to an undisclosed settlement figure with the twenty-seven claimants. This resolution circumvents a full trial, which was scheduled to commence at the High Court in London.

The MoD previously acknowledged that personnel may have been exposed to asbestos at the Adazi base. However, the ministry contended that any exposure was below the level considered harmful to health. This position has been maintained despite the settlement.

For years, the MoD has faced scrutiny regarding the health and safety of military personnel, particularly concerning environmental hazards encountered during overseas deployments and training exercises. The settlement underscores ongoing concerns about duty of care for service members engaged in operations within derelict or poorly maintained infrastructure.