El Paso Military Personnel Injury Attorneys — Serving Those Who Serve
El Paso is home to Fort Bliss, one of the largest military installations in the United States. Tens of thousands of active duty soldiers, reservists, and their families live, work, and commute throughout El Paso and Southern New Mexico every day. When service members are injured in accidents off-base, they face the same devastating consequences as civilians — medical bills, lost income, and long recoveries — but with additional legal complexities that most attorneys do not understand.
At Lovett & Murray, we have represented Fort Bliss service members and military families for more than 30 years. We understand the intersection of military law and personal injury law, and we know how to protect your rights while respecting the demands of military service.
Common Accident Scenarios for Military Personnel in El Paso
Service members face significant injury risks on El Paso's busy roads, especially during commuting hours between Fort Bliss and surrounding communities:
- Off-base vehicle accidents — commuting on Dyer Street, US-54, Loop 375, and I-10, where Fort Bliss traffic merges with heavy civilian and commercial traffic
- Accidents involving military contractors — private companies operating on or near Fort Bliss whose employees cause injuries through negligence
- Motorcycle accidents — service members are statistically more likely to ride motorcycles, increasing their exposure to negligent drivers
- Off-base premises injuries — slip and falls, assaults, or other injuries at businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the El Paso area
- Accidents during PCS moves — injuries sustained while relocating to or from Fort Bliss, often involving moving trucks or unfamiliar roads
Understanding the Feres Doctrine — What You Can and Cannot Claim
The most critical legal issue for injured service members is whether the Feres Doctrine bars their claim. Here is what you need to know:
- Claims you CAN file — off-base car accidents caused by civilian drivers, injuries at off-base businesses, medical malpractice by civilian healthcare providers, and injuries caused by defective products purchased off-base
- Claims that may be barred — injuries that occurred during active military operations, training exercises on-base, or that are directly related to military service decisions
- Gray areas — some injuries involve both military and civilian elements. For example, an off-base accident where you were driving a military vehicle may involve complex jurisdictional questions. This is where experienced legal counsel matters most.
SCRA Protections for Service Members in Legal Proceedings
Active duty personnel have important rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act that can affect the timeline and strategy of your case:
- Stay of proceedings — if deployment or military duties prevent you from participating in your case, the court can delay proceedings
- Protection from default judgment — the court must appoint an attorney to protect your interests if you cannot appear
- Flexible scheduling — courts accommodate military schedules for depositions, hearings, and trial dates
We work around your military obligations to ensure your case moves forward without compromising your service duties.
Why Fort Bliss Families Trust Lovett & Murray
- No fee unless we win — service members never pay out of pocket for our representation.
- Bilingual team — serving the diverse Fort Bliss community in English and Spanish.
- 30+ years serving military families — we understand the unique pressures and legal challenges facing active duty, reserve, and veteran community members.
- Local knowledge of Fort Bliss corridors — we know the roads, intersections, and traffic patterns that create the highest risk for commuting service members.
Your service to this country should never leave you without legal protection. If you or a family member has been injured, call Lovett & Murray at 915-757-9999 for a free consultation.