The Feres Doctrine

Shortly after the establishment of the Federal Tort Claims Act (1948), which enables US citizens to file a lawsuit against the federal government for certain torts, a soldier in the military sued the US government for damages accrued while he was active in the armed forces. This case went to the Supreme Court, eventually resulting in a decision known as the Feres Doctrine. This doctrine states that active military personnel are not allowed to sue for damages that may occur while on duty.

For more information on torts and personal injury law, call the Appleton personal injury attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. at 800-472-9334 today for a free consultation.

Stipulations of the Feres Doctrine

Under the Feres Doctrine, anyone active in the armed forces has accepted the potential for injury, and is therefore not allowed to file a tort against the US government. Additionally, this doctrine stipulates that military personnel cannot sue for any damages incurred while on base, even if they trip and fall while shopping at the base mall; however, if the a family member of military personnel is injured while on base, they may be able to file a claim.

In the event that an active soldier dies while on active duty, this doctrine prohibits family members from suing the US government for wrongful death.

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If you or someone you love has been injured while on a military base, contact the Appleton personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. by dialing 800-472-9334 to discuss the details of your case with an experienced attorney.