Military Personal Injuries: Understanding Your Rights as a Service Member
At the Law Office of William Bruzzo, our team has helped active-duty Marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen, veterans, and their families across Orange County recover full compensation for serious injuries for over 30 years. From Camp Pendleton to Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos and every city in between, we stand ready as your trusted Orange County personal injury lawyer when military life leads to injury. Whether you were hurt on base, off base, or during deployment, you have rights most civilians never face. Call your Orange County personal injury lawyer today at 760-307-4233 or contact us online.
Why Military Injury Claims Are Different for Orange County Service Members
Most Orange County residents simply sue the person who hurt them. Service members run into federal laws that can block or change recovery. Two rules decide almost everything.
The Feres Doctrine, decided by the Supreme Court in 1950, stops active-duty members from suing the government for injuries “incident to service.” That covers most training accidents at Camp Pendleton, medical mistakes at military hospitals, and deployment injuries. The rule still stands firmly in 2025.
When the injury happens off-duty or is caused by a civilian or contractor, California personal injury law applies fully, and that is where many Orange County service members, working with their Orange County personal injury lawyer, recover the most money. We also help coordinate claims alongside other benefits to ensure no opportunities are missed.
When You Can Sue the Federal Government: The Federal Tort Claims Act
Some injuries let you file a claim directly against the government through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). These include off-duty crashes caused by federal employees or injuries on base when you are treated like any visitor.
You must file Standard Form 95 within two years of the injury. The government has six months to answer. If they deny or ignore the claim, you have six months to file in federal court.
We handle every detail, medical records, witness statements from the base, and military reports, so nothing gets missed. Our team ensures your claim is filed correctly and aggressively pursued to protect your rights.
Third-Party Claims: Holding Civilians and Contractors Responsible in Orange County
When a civilian driver, trucking company, or defense contractor causes your injury, you can file a regular California personal injury claim with your Orange County personal injury lawyer. California has no damage caps for pain and suffering, so recoveries are often much larger.
Common Orange County examples we see:
- Civilians crashing into Marines on I-5 near the Camp Pendleton gates
- Delivery trucks hitting motorcycles in San Clemente or Oceanside
- Defective gear made by private companies failing during training
- Drunk drivers striking service members leaving Los Alamitos
As your Orange County personal injury lawyer, we have secured multi-million dollar settlements for service members injured by subcontractor negligence at Camp Pendleton, covering medical bills, lost wages, and life-changing pain. We also help guide families through complicated insurance and compensation processes.
Benefits Every Injured Service Member in Orange County Should Claim
Even when lawsuits are blocked, you still have powerful benefits that many service members never claim.
VA Disability Compensation (2025 Rates)
Tax-free monthly payments based on your combined rating:
- 10% rating → $171.23 per month
- 50% rating → $1,133.16 per month
- 100% rating → $3,937.36 per month (plus extra for spouse and children)
TRICARE and Medical Coverage
Active duty: 100% coverage with no copays. Reserves and veterans under 100% rating still receive low-cost or free care at military treatment facilities and civilian providers.
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
Restores retired pay lost because of VA offset, often $1,000–$3,000 extra per month for combat-related injuries.
Disability Retirement Pay
Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) or Permanent Disability Retirement can pay 50–75% of base pay for life, tax-free if combat-related.
We coordinate every benefit so nothing cancels another out and you keep the maximum each month. Our experience ensures every eligible payment is captured, no matter how complex the case.
Deadlines You Cannot Miss in Orange County Military Cases
Time limits are strict and unforgiving:
- Federal Tort Claims Act: exactly 2 years from injury date to file Standard Form 95
- California civilian third-party claims: 2 years from injury (only 6 months if suing a public entity)
- VA disability claims: no deadline, but file within one year of separation for full retroactive pay
- Special monthly compensation (SMC) and individual unemployability (TDIU): apply as soon as rating is awarded
Missing any deadline can erase hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits and settlements. We track every date and file on time, every single time.
Why Orange County Service Members Choose the Law Office of William Bruzzo
We have recovered millions for Orange County veterans over three decades. Families trust our Orange County personal injury attorney because we speak their language, we understand ranks, commands, and the stress of deployment cycles.
We never charge a fee unless we win, and we advance all costs so money is never a barrier. Consultations are always free, and we come to you, whether that means meeting at the Camp Pendleton legal assistance office, the VA Long Beach, or your living room in Irvine. Spanish-speaking staff stand ready, and we work seven days a week because injuries do not wait for business hours. Our team also provides guidance on post-injury employment and rehabilitation benefits.
Speak to an Experienced Orange County Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury connected to military service anywhere in Orange County, you deserve maximum compensation and benefits. The Law Office of William Bruzzo offers free, confidential consultations seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.
Call your Orange County personal injury lawyer right now at 760-307-4233 or contact us online. There is never a fee unless we recover money for you, and we prioritize getting you the help and support you need immediately.
