It emerged yesterday that troops returning to the UK from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering brain injuries caused by exposure to high-powered explosions or minor blows to the head.

Last night campaign groups and MPs warned that the government figures have underestimated the number of UK troops from Afghanistan and Iraq at risk from brain injuries. They called for an urgent campaign to educate doctors, army medics and frontline troops about the danger signs.

Peter McCabe from Headway, said "The difference between what is emerging from the US and what's emerging from the UK cannot be explained by differing roles of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq...there may well be high numbers of UK service personnel that are going undiagnosed."

Jill Greenfield from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP said "They key thing once someone has suffered a brain injury is diagnosis and then rehabilitation. The first year after a brain injury is always critical as this tends to be the period when people see the biggest improvement in their condition. If there is no diagnosis and rehabilitation is not made available the chances of people recovering to their pre injury condition is clearly reduced".

With a reputation for being leaders in cutting-edge work, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP have a specialist brain injury and spinal injury unit headed by Jill Greenfield.

For free initial advice call us on freephone 0800 358 3848. Alternatively, contact either Jill Greenfield or Paul McNeil or call them on 020 7861 4000.