Compensation for serious bodily injuries due to war

The full-scale aggression of russia has resulted in thousands of cases of severe injuries among civilians. People have lost their health, ability to work, stable income, and the opportunity to live their usual lives. However, alongside the pain arises a practical question: is it possible to receive compensation for serious bodily injuries caused by the war, and how can this be done correctly?

Who is entitled to compensation for severe bodily injuries?

The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine has repeatedly explained the procedure for submitting claims for compensation for damage caused by the aggressor state. At the same time, the mechanism requires proper legal support, since mistakes at the stage of documenting losses may lead to the loss of the right to future payments.

“Serious bodily harm” means harm that has caused significant physical or psychological harm or suffering. For example, these include:

• permanent or temporary significant disfigurement that has resulted in a significant change in appearance;
• loss or disruption of the integrity (separation) of all or part of a limb or parts of the body;
• permanent or temporary significant loss or limitation of the use of an organ, limb, function or body system;
• forced termination of pregnancy;
• any other harm that may significantly affect the quality of life of the injured person.

So, serious bodily harm is harm to health that has caused a long-term disorder of body functions, disability, loss of ability to work or danger to life. In criminal law, the definition is contained in Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

“Severe bodily injury is an injury that is life-threatening at the moment it is inflicted or one that results in the loss of any organ or its functions, mental illness, or another persistent health disorder.”

Persons injured as a result of war crimes committed by russia have the right to:

• compensation for material damage;
• reimbursement of treatment and rehabilitation expenses;
• compensation for lost wages;
• compensation for moral damage;
• submission of claims to international reparation mechanisms.

The right arises regardless of the victim’s status — civilian, entrepreneur, or employee. The key condition is proper documentation of the injury and establishing a causal link with russia’s aggression.

How to properly submit a claim for compensation for damage caused by russia?

The Ministry of Finance explains that submitting a compensation claim is carried out through official state mechanisms for documenting damage. The main tool is the registers of damage being formed for future reparations.

The action algorithm includes several mandatory stages:

1. Documentation of the injury — contacting a medical institution, obtaining a doctor’s conclusion, medical history, and certificates confirming surgeries.
2. Entering information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations — opening criminal proceedings regarding a war crime.
3. Collecting evidence — photos, videos, witness statements, and certificates confirming presence in a shelling zone.
4. Submitting an application through state electronic services and other government-designated channels.
5. Awaiting the establishment of an international compensation mechanism.

It is important to understand: submitting an application today primarily secures the right to future payment. Without legally properly prepared documents, a person risks losing the chance for compensation.

When to expect payments and what determines the amount of compensation?

The issue of payment timelines is the most sensitive one. Ukraine is currently forming an international mechanism for recovering reparations from russia. Actual payments depend on:

• creation of an international compensation fund;
• availability of confiscated assets of the aggressor state;
• adoption of special legislation;
• determination of damage calculation methodology.

The amount of compensation will be determined individually, taking into account:

• degree of loss of working capacity;
• establishment of disability status;
• treatment expenses;
• moral damage;
• loss of income.

Legal practice shows that the more thoroughly the consequences of injuries are documented, the higher the chances of receiving real compensation.

Additional opportunities: lawsuits against the aggressor state

In addition to state registers, there is an option to file civil lawsuits in Ukrainian courts against russia as an aggressor state. The Supreme Court has confirmed that state immunity may not be applied in cases concerning damage caused by armed aggression.

A lawsuit allows you to:

• obtain a court decision awarding a specific amount of compensation;
• officially establish the amount of damage;
• use the decision within international enforcement mechanisms.

This path is more complex and requires a strong evidentiary base, but it significantly increases the prospects of actual recovery in the future.

Why it is important to act now

Many victims postpone legal steps, expecting automatic payments. Such an approach is risky. Evidence may be lost over time, witnesses may change their place of residence, and medical documents may disappear.

Professional legal support allows you to:

• properly classify bodily injuries;
• build an evidentiary base;
• calculate the amount of compensation;
• prepare an application without errors;
• initiate legal proceedings against the aggressor state.

The law firm “Prikhodko & Partners” analyzes each case individually, taking into account the severity of injuries, medical conclusions, financial losses, and prospects for international recovery.

If you or your relatives have suffered severe injuries due to the war — do not delay; timely documentation of damage strengthens your legal position.

Submit a request to “Prikhodko & Partners” law firm and receive a professional compensation calculation with full legal support.