When you or a loved one is seriously injured, there’s a moment – maybe it happens in the ER waiting room, maybe it’s after the adrenaline fades – when the reality of what just happened sinks in. And for military families, that moment often comes with a second question: “Will TRICARE take care of this?”
It’s a fair question. TRICARE is a lifeline for military households, covering a wide range of medical treatments. But here’s what many service members and their families don’t realize until they’re deep into the recovery process: TRICARE doesn’t cover everything. Not even close.
And when that injury was caused by someone else’s negligence? You may be leaving critical compensation on the table if you rely on TRICARE alone.
At Ron Meyers & Associates, we’ve worked with military families across Washington who were injured off base – in car accidents, on unsafe properties, by defective products, or in other awful situations. They thought they had it covered, but they were still left struggling financially, emotionally, and physically. That’s where a personal injury claim comes in.
Let’s talk about what that really means and why you need to look beyond TRICARE if you want to recover fully.
TRICARE Pays the Bills, But What About Everything Else?
TRICARE is great for what it does: hospital stays, prescriptions, rehab, follow-up appointments. But if you’ve suffered a serious injury, you probably already know that medical bills are only one piece of the puzzle.
What happens when:
- You can’t go back to work?
- You need help around the house?
- You’re dealing with chronic pain that keeps you up at night?
- Your spouse has to take time off to care for you?
- You need to remodel your home for accessibility?
TRICARE doesn’t help with any of that. It’s not designed to. That’s why filing a personal injury claim is often the only way to recover the full financial compensation military families need after a catastrophic injury.
Why Personal Injury Claims Matter for Military Families
When someone else causes your injury – whether it’s a reckless driver, a careless property manager, or a negligent manufacturer – they should be held accountable. A civil personal injury lawsuit gives you the opportunity to recover compensation for things TRICARE simply doesn’t touch, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income and earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Long-term disability and impairment
- Reduced quality of life
Military life is demanding enough without the added strain of recovering from someone else’s mistake. And when you’re dealing with permanent or life-changing injuries, every dollar matters, not just for your current bills, but for your future security.
Common Injuries We See in Military Family Cases
Although TRICARE covers active-duty members and their dependents, many injuries occur while off-duty or outside military installations – places where civilians and third parties are in charge. We’ve helped families after incidents like:
- Car and motorcycle crashes involving distracted or impaired drivers
- Pedestrian injuries near base housing or busy intersections
- Slip-and-fall accidents in stores, hotels, and other public places
- Truck accidents involving commercial drivers near military bases or during off-duty travel
These aren’t just bumps and bruises. We’re talking about traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones requiring surgery, burn injuries, and other long-term harm that can derail someone’s career, their health, and their plans.
TRICARE and Subrogation: Protecting What’s Yours
When TRICARE covers your medical treatment after an injury, it may request repayment from your personal injury settlement. That process is called subrogation, and it can feel like a gut punch when you realize the healthcare coverage you relied on now wants a cut of your recovery.
But here’s the good news: you have options.
Our firm has extensive experience negotiating with TRICARE to reduce or eliminate these reimbursement claims. We know the system. We know the legal arguments that work. And we’ll do everything in our power to make sure your final settlement reflects your needs, not just the government’s bottom line.
The Value of an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer for Military Families
You already know military life has its own unique challenges – frequent moves, long deployments, tight-knit communities, and red tape everywhere. Personal injury claims for military families are no different. Military families often face:
- Delays and confusion when dealing with TRICARE
- Out-of-state insurance issues during PCS moves
- Claims adjusters who assume you’ll accept the first offer
- Legal paperwork that’s confusing and time-sensitive
At Ron Meyers & Associates, we take that pressure off your plate. We work with your family, not just on your case. We coordinate with medical providers, handle the legal legwork, and push back when the other side tries to downplay your suffering or nickel-and-dime your recovery.
You’ve already sacrificed enough. You shouldn’t have to fight for the compensation you’re owed on top of everything else.
You Deserve More Than Basic Coverage. You Deserve Justice
TRICARE is a valuable resource, but when you’ve been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s just the beginning. If you want to recover what you’ve truly lost – your time, your peace of mind, your financial security – you need someone in your corner who knows how to fight for it.
We’re proud to serve military families throughout western Washington. Whether you’re stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, living in Olympia, or anywhere in between, our team is here to support you.
Let’s talk. No pressure. No jargon. Just honest answers about your injury, your rights, and how we can help.
Injured off-duty or due to third-party negligence? Ron Meyers & Associates helps military families in Washington recover the compensation TRICARE doesn’t cover. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation today and let us fight for what you’re owed.
