i think his brief or barrister are at fault here , by the sounds of it , the case was patently unwinnable. I am all for armed/emergency services receiving the best equipment/medical treatment etc , but there comes a time when you just have to accept that you were unlucky.
I dont think it was his wife/ex wife that sued , it was his brother and sister that brought the claim, so maybe the judge did detect an element of greed and subsequently ordered costs paid.