Wrongful Death Attorney

Each year nearly 70,000 people are injured in gun-related accidents. In addition, more than 30,000 are killed in gun accidents, from suicides, homicides, and unintentional shootings.

Reports show that more than fifteen percent of all gun accidents are the result of a gun accident. If a loved one or friend died because of a gun accident, contact a wrongful death attorney to discuss the case and determine if the estate has a justifiable wrongful death claim.

There are many causes of gun accidents. Some are listed and explained below:

No Supervision by Adults/Parents

In most states, the parents are legally responsible for the actions of their children. What this means is the repercussions of what the child does fall back on the parents. They will be the ones held liable and responsible for compensating the estate for injuries that their children caused.

If a parent does not keep their guns securely out of reach of children, they are essentially negligent. If the gun gets into the hands of a child and the firearm discharges and causes harm or death, the injured party or their family has the right to sue the parents in civil court. In addition, law enforcement may arrest the parent or parents and charge them accordingly.

Inadequate Handling and Training of Firearms

Knowing the correct and safe way to handle a firearm is essential if you plan to own a weapon of this nature. You can find courses in firearm safety in nearly every town in the United States. If someone takes the safety course, they generally will have to pay a fee and the instruction will provide a hands-on range instruction as well as bookwork teaching firearm handling, overall safety and how each type of gun discharges.

If you are not trained properly during the class and at some point accidentally discharge your firearm, injuring or killing someone, the owner or director of the training course may be solely or partially liable for the injuries. In addition, you as the gun owner would also be held liable for any injuries.

Consuming Drugs or Alcohol

The leading cause of gun injuries is a firearm accidentally discharging after someone has been using drugs or alcohol. This can happen when the owner of the firearm is showing it to a friend, or when the owners are cleaning their gun and forgot to empty the ammunition or just doesn’t think the weapon is loaded.

This frequently happens on hunting trips when the hunters have had something to drink while sitting and waiting for prey. There are plenty of reports of hunters shoot other hunters thinking they are deer or other prey.

When alcohol is the cause of a hunting accident that results in serious injuries or death, the shooter will probably be held liable — both civilly and criminally.

Consult an Attorney

When a gun accident takes the life of a loved one, you need the help of an experienced wrongful death attorney Washington, DC trusts. Lawyers are available to help you get through this unimaginable time. They will discuss the details of your case and guide you through the next steps in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their insight into personal injury cases and wrongful deaths from accidental gunshots.