For military service members and their families, navigating the aftermath of a serious injury can be complicated, especially when the accident happens in a civilian setting. Unlike standard personal injury cases, military families often face unique legal and logistical challenges when pursuing compensation for injuries caused by car accidents, unsafe premises, defective products, or other forms of third-party negligence.
At Ron Meyers & Associates, we understand the complex issues military families face when pursuing civil personal injury claims. Whether you’re dealing with deployment disruptions, coordinating care between military and civilian providers, or handling insurance complications, our legal team is here to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Civil Injury Claims for Military Families
When a civilian accident results in catastrophic injuries for a service member or their family, they have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. However, unlike military-related injuries covered under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), these claims fall under state personal injury laws and often involve:
- Motor vehicle accidents caused by negligent drivers.
- Premises liability cases (such as slip-and-fall accidents or negligent security incidents).
- Defective product claims (malfunctioning vehicles, faulty medical devices, or dangerous consumer goods).
- Wrongful death claims when negligence leads to the loss of a loved one.
Despite having the legal right to pursue compensation from at-fault parties, military families often encounter several unique obstacles when navigating these claims.
The Top Legal Challenges Military Families Face (and How to Overcome Them) 1. Deployment and Relocation Complications
The Challenge:
- Service members and their families relocate frequently due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders or overseas deployments.
- Injuries that occur in one state may have to be litigated from another location due to jurisdictional issues.
- If an injury claim is in progress, a PCS move or deployment can complicate legal proceedings.
How to Overcome It:
- Work with a law firm experienced in handling cases remotely and across jurisdictions.
- Ensure your attorney can coordinate your case even if you’re stationed elsewhere or deployed.
- If deployment is pending, your lawyer can seek case extensions or remote participation options to ensure your rights are protected. 2. Coordinating Military and Civilian Medical Care
The Challenge:
- Injured military personnel often receive care at both military and civilian hospitals, leading to delays in obtaining medical records for injury claims.
- TRICARE may require reimbursement from any settlement, reducing the amount a military family ultimately receives.
- Some service members are reluctant to report injuries due to concerns about their military career.
How to Overcome It:
- Hire a lawyer who understands how to coordinate TRICARE and VA benefits with a personal injury claim.
- Ensure your attorney handles all medical record requests to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Discuss any concerns about reporting injuries and how it may affect military service with your legal team to ensure your rights are protected. 3. Understanding Jurisdiction and Legal Complexities
The Challenge:
- Civilian injuries may involve complex jurisdictional issues, especially if the injury occurs on a military base, federal land, or while traveling.
- Service members may have multiple legal options, but choosing the right jurisdiction is critical to maximizing compensation.
- Some families mistakenly assume they must file a claim through military courts or government channels, rather than civil courts.
How to Overcome It:
- Work with a personal injury attorney who understands state and federal jurisdiction laws to determine where to file your claim.
- Ensure that your injury case is handled in civil court, not military court, so you can pursue full compensation against negligent third parties. 4. Challenges Dealing with Insurance Companies
The Challenge:
- Insurance companies often use military status against injured service members, arguing that they have access to free healthcare and therefore don’t need additional compensation.
- Some insurers may try to lowball settlement offers, assuming military families won’t pursue litigation due to deployment or relocation pressures.
How to Overcome It:
- Never accept an initial settlement offer without consulting an attorney.
- Your lawyer should handle all communications with insurers to ensure they don’t use your military benefits as an excuse to deny compensation.
- If necessary, be prepared to pursue litigation to secure full compensation rather than accepting a lowball offer. 5. Protecting Future Military Benefits
The Challenge:
- Some service members fear that pursuing a personal injury claim may affect their military career or future VA benefits.
- Uncertainty about how disability ratings, TRICARE coverage, or VA compensation may be impacted by a civil case.
How to Overcome It:
- Personal injury settlements do not impact VA disability benefits or other military entitlements.
- Ensure your lawyer is experienced in protecting military families’ benefits while maximizing compensation.
- If a service-related injury is worsened by a civilian accident, your legal team should coordinate your civil claim with your VA disability claim.
Why Military Families Need an Experienced Civil Injury Attorney
Navigating a personal injury case while serving in the military presents unique challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone. At Ron Meyers & Associates, we help service members and their families recover compensation for civilian injuries while ensuring they receive the full benefits and protections they deserve.
Our firm is dedicated to:
- Handling complex jurisdictional and insurance issues unique to military families.
- Coordinating TRICARE benefits to ensure full financial recovery.
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies to prevent unfair settlement offers.
- Providing remote case management for deployed or relocated clients.
Get the Legal Support You Deserve
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to third-party negligence, don’t let deployment, TRICARE issues, or legal complexities prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve.
Contact Ron Meyers & Associates today for a free consultation and let us handle the legal burden while you focus on recovery.
