Handguns are designed to be used in situations where lethal force is legally justified. However, in some cases, a handgun becomes dangerous because the firearm itself is defective and can cause an accident as a result. Some accidents even occur with some firearms when the owner does not even have their finger on the trigger. With this type of accident, the manufacturer of the firearm can often be found civilly liable.
How Firearms Accidentally Discharge
Firearms should only discharge if the owner of the firearm pulls the trigger and the safety is off. However, some firearms have been discharged accidentally after experiencing a strong bump. This can lead to the gun injuring the owner or a bystander.
One of the questions that your personal injury lawyer will try to answer is whether or not the firearm manufacturer knew that the weapon was dangerous and still chose to put it on the market. Another issue is when a firearm is marketed specifically as a gun that is safe when used in a particular way and ends up being dangerous despite such marketing.
Your Right to Compensation
Customers have the right to purchase firearms that will not injure them and are not defective. As a result, you have the right to file a lawsuit or pursue a settlement from the firearm manufacturer if you are injured as a result of a defect.
There are several parties who could potentially be responsible for the accident, which include:
- The manufacturer
- The designer
- The marketer
- The firearm vendor
Once you have found out which parties are responsible for being negligent, you will be able to take legal action against them by filing a lawsuit or by negotiating a settlement.
Damages Suffered by a Gunshot Wound
A gunshot wound is highly traumatic and will likely lead to a trip to the hospital and expensive medical treatment. You may never fully recover and may need follow-up treatments for years to come including:
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Pain medications
- Assistive devices, such as a walker
You might find yourself in pain every day and might struggle to cope with it. You might even have painful memories of the incident. You may also find yourself unable to enjoy the activities that you previously enjoyed and may be unable to work full time. If your personal injury lawyer is able to prove that your injuries were due to the negligence of the firearm manufacturer, you are entitled to compensation.
Contact a local personal injury law firm, such as Evans & Turnblad, to learn more.
