IED Injury Lawsuit | 2025 Latest Updates

IED Injury Lawsuit Overview

IED injury lawsuits involve claims filed by military personnel who suffered injuries from improvised explosive devices while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

These legal actions seek compensation from parties responsible for manufacturing defective protective equipment or contractors providing substandard materials.

With thousands of U.S. troops injured by IEDs during post-9/11 conflicts, these lawsuits aim to provide financial relief to affected service members and their families.

An improvised explosive device (IED) attack is the use of a “homemade” bomb and/or destructive device to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [1].

Latest IED Injury Lawsuit Updates

• April 2025 – The Anti-Terrorism Litigation Fund has expanded eligibility criteria to include veterans who served in Iraq from 2004-present or Afghanistan from 2006-present who sustained IED injuries. This development opens the path for compensation for thousands of additional veterans.
• March 2025 – Recent court rulings have established precedents allowing military personnel to file claims against contractors who provided inadequate protective equipment, with several initial settlements reaching six-figure amounts.
• January 2025 – The Department of Justice announced increased funding for the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, allocating additional resources to support legal claims filed by military personnel injured in IED attacks.

FDA Reports and Statistics

While the FDA doesn’t directly regulate military equipment, comprehensive statistics regarding IED injuries include:

• More than 7,000 U.S. troops and approximately 8,000 contractors have died in foreign wars since 9/11 [2].
• Over 73,000 allied troops and national police in Afghanistan/Pakistan, and over 100,000 more allied troops in Iraq and Syria, have been killed.
• Post-9/11 wars have seen 4 times as many U.S. service members die by suicide than in combat.
• Some U.S. states and communities have disproportionately borne the human cost of these wars, highlighting a broader pattern of inequality in military service.

IED Injuries & Side Effects

IED explosions can cause devastating injuries to military personnel, often resulting in lifelong disabilities and psychological trauma.

• Overpressure damage: Affecting the lungs, ears, abdomen, and other pressure-sensitive organs. Blast lung injury, caused by the extreme pressure of an explosion, is a leading cause of illness and death among initial survivors.
• Fragmentation injuries: Caused by projectiles propelled by the blast, such as bomb material, shrapnel, or debris, which penetrate the body and cause damage.
• Impact injuries: Resulting from the blast propelling individuals into objects, leading to fractures, amputations, and head and neck trauma.
• Thermal injuries: Caused by burns to the skin, mouth, sinuses, and lungs.
• Psychological trauma: Including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Do You Qualify for an IED Injury Lawsuit?

You may qualify to participate in an IED Lawsuit if you:

• Served in Iraq from 2004-present or Afghanistan from 2006-present
• Were involved in an IED or roadside bomb attack
• Suffered an injury in the attack that required treatment, or
• Were diagnosed with PTSD or related condition that can be linked to the attack

Evidence Required for an IED Injury Lawsuit

To successfully pursue an IED injury lawsuit, you will need to provide:

• Military service records confirming your deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan during the qualifying periods
• Medical documentation of your injuries and treatments
• Military incident reports detailing the IED attack
• Statements from witnesses or fellow service members
• Documentation linking your injuries directly to the IED incident

Damages You Can Recover

Compensation in IED injury lawsuits may include:

• Medical expenses for past, current, and future treatments
• Rehabilitation costs including physical therapy and psychological counseling
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of quality of life

What is the Anti-Terrorism Act?

According to the US Congress, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1992 is a United States law that was enacted to enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute terrorism-related offenses [3].

The act expanded the definition of terrorism and provided additional tools and resources to combat terrorism, including:

• Authorization for the use of wiretaps and electronic surveillance in terrorism investigations.
• The ability to designate foreign organizations as terrorist groups.
• The imposition of harsher penalties for terrorism-related crimes.
• The enhancement of security measures to protect against terrorist attacks.

According to the US Department of Justice, the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act, as amended, provides for the establishment and administration of the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) to provide compensation to certain U.S. persons who were injured in acts of international state-sponsored terrorism [4].

Statute of Limitations for IED Injury Lawsuits

The statute of limitations for filing an IED injury lawsuit varies depending on several factors, including the specific legal grounds for your claim and the jurisdiction in which you file.

Generally, claims under the Anti-Terrorism Act must be filed within 10 years of the date the injury occurred.

However, various exceptions may apply based on your specific circumstances and when you became aware of your injury or its connection to an IED incident.

It’s crucial to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the applicable time limits. Waiting too long to pursue legal action may permanently bar you from seeking compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What compensation might plaintiffs receive in an IED injury lawsuit?

Plaintiffs may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in wrongful death cases, compensation for loss of companionship and funeral expenses.

2. What injuries are common in IED injury lawsuits?

Common injuries from IED explosions include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), hearing loss, burns, amputations, fractures, spinal cord injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other physical or emotional trauma.

3. Who is typically held liable in an IED injury lawsuit?

In IED injury lawsuits, liability may be placed on manufacturers of military equipment that failed to protect soldiers, contractors providing substandard materials, or even governments responsible for deploying or procuring faulty equipment.

4. Can military contractors be sued in an IED injury lawsuit?

Yes, military contractors can be sued if their negligence, faulty equipment, or substandard materials contributed to injuries from an IED explosion. Contractors are often held liable if their products failed to meet safety standards or contractual obligations.

5. How long does it typically take to resolve an IED injury lawsuit?

The timeline for resolving an IED injury lawsuit can vary significantly based on case complexity, ranging from one to several years. Factors affecting the timeline include the extent of injuries, number of plaintiffs involved, availability of evidence, and whether the case goes to trial or settles out of court.

6. Can family members file an IED injury lawsuit on behalf of a deceased service member?

Yes, immediate family members such as spouses, children, or parents can file wrongful death claims on behalf of service members who died as a result of IED injuries. These claims seek compensation for loss of companionship, financial support, and funeral expenses.

7. Are IED injury lawsuits typically handled as individual cases or class actions?

IED injury lawsuits may be handled as individual cases or consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL) depending on similarities between claims. While each plaintiff maintains their individual case, MDL allows for more efficient resolution of common legal issues affecting multiple victims.

8. What makes an IED injury case strong from a legal perspective?

Strong IED injury cases typically have clear documentation linking injuries to a specific IED incident, comprehensive medical records detailing treatment and long-term prognosis, evidence of negligence by equipment manufacturers or contractors, and expert testimony connecting failures in protection to specific injuries sustained.

See all related personal injury lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims

Time is limited to pursue legal action for IED injuries. The statute of limitations restricts your ability to file a claim to specific timeframes after your injury, typically 10 years, but this can vary based on your specific circumstances.

At Schmidt & Clark, we offer:

• Free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case
• No upfront costs or fees for our legal services
• Payment only if we win your case and secure compensation for you

Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek the justice and compensation you deserve for your service-related injuries.

Start Your Free Case Review Now

References:

1. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/prep_ied_fact_sheet.pdf
2. https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/military
3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/house-bill/2222?s=1&r=98
4. https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-mlars/usvsst