Guns are weapons designed to maim and kill. In the right hands, they can be useful tools for hunting and protection. However, not everyone who picks up a firearm understands how to handle it properly, and the negligent handling of a gun can lead to devastating injuries to those in the vicinity.
In some cases, the gun malfunctions, causing it to go off unexpectedly. If you or someone close to you sustained a life-altering injury in an accidental shooting, you might be entitled to financial compensation. The Tucson accidental shootings attorneys at Zanes Law can help.
Civil Liability for an Accidental Shooting in Arizona
When someone sustains a gunshot injury, the criminal aspect of the shooting is probably the first thing that comes to mind. While violations of criminal law may have been a factor in the incident, the person who pulled the trigger or caused the gun to go off may also be held civilly liable for their negligent actions that led to your personal injury.
Civil Lawsuit vs. Criminal Proceedings
The possibility that the shooter violated a criminal statute at the time of the accident and is facing prosecution does not prevent our personal injury team from filing a civil claim against them in the appropriate court system.
Criminal penalties for an accidental shooting are designed to punish the perpetrator of a crime. However, civil liability seeks to make the victim whole. While criminal liability helps protect society, civil liability is also necessary because it protects victims from the consequences of other people’s actions.
You may also be eligible for financial assistance through the Arizona Attorney General Victim Services Division, which might help recover some of your damages. Our accidental shootings attorneys in Tucson can advise you about these funds as well as a possible civil suit.
Accidents Caused by Defective Guns
As personal injury lawyers, we sometimes see cases where gunshot accidents happen due to a defective weapon misfiring. Unfortunately, this occurs more than you might think, and when it does, it’s important to find out why.
If a gun discharges because of a manufacturing defect, the company that made the gun or even the vendor who may have sold defective equipment could be to blame. Whoever is responsible for your injury should be held accountable, which is where hiring an experienced attorney comes in.
Suing a Gun Manufacturer
Gun companies typically have a team of attorneys protecting them in these cases. It takes an experienced accidental shooting attorney to go against these powerful businesses. Anyone who suffered an injury due to a manufacturer defect would be wise to consult with an attorney experienced in this kind of case.
After sustaining a gunshot wound, you are likely facing a long recovery. During that time, you may lose income from missed work, leaving your family without the support they still need. The first step to recovering financially is allowing our law firm to file a civil lawsuit on your behalf. You didn’t ask to be a victim of a gun accident, and you shouldn’t have to pay for what happened.
For a free legal consultation with a accidental shootings lawyer serving Tucson, call 866-499-8989
Negligent Entrustment in an Accidental Shooting
If the person who shot you used someone else’s gun, a legal concept known as negligent entrustment might come into play. “Negligent entrustment” is a legal doctrine that applies to the lending or giving away of a dangerous weapon to someone else who then harms a third party with it.
When an adult allows a dangerous weapon to be used by a minor or another individual who is not responsible enough to handle it, someone can get hurt. All too often, innocent people are harmed as a result of a negligent gun owner providing the gun.
Perhaps you or a loved one were seriously injured after someone else provided the shooter with a gun. In that case, you might be entitled to restitution from the shooter and whoever provided the weapon. This compensation could come from either party or both.
Tucson Accidental Shootings Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989
How Much Compensation Can You Pursue After an Accidental Shooting?
Shooting accident victims are often left with injuries that take months to heal; in some cases, those injuries are permanent. While every shooting accident is unique, our Tucson accidental shootings lawyers may be able to estimate the value of your case based on:
- The seriousness of your injury
- The totality of your medical bills and lost wages
- How the accident has affected your life
As experienced personal injury lawyers, we will gather as much evidence as possible to help with the challenging task of calculating pain and suffering. We recommend that you start keeping a journal documenting your medical treatments and the pain and suffering you experience.
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How Much Time Do You Have to File a Civil Suit?
Don’t wait a minute longer if you are on the fence about contacting a lawyer. Time is of the essence in these cases, and various deadlines must be met in your court proceedings. This is important to understand since Arizona’s statute of limitations is shorter than in some states.
Arizona allows just two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. This may sound like there’s no hurry, but there is. There’s a lot to be done in these cases, so it is best to contact an accidental shooting attorney immediately so that they can begin building a solid case to get the compensation you need.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of an accidental shooting by police or other law enforcement, your time to file a claim is much, much shorter. A specialized police shooting lawyer may be required to handle your case.
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Contact Our Accidental Shooting Attorneys in Tucson
Zanes Law is committed to preserving evidence and ensuring that proper court procedures are followed. With our expertise and resources, we can assist you in recovering monetary damages for losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Being wounded in an accidental shooting is traumatic enough without worrying about the bills piling up. Allow our Tucson accidental shootings attorneys to hold the negligent parties accountable and get you the money you need. We work on contingency, which means we don’t get paid until we win your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation!
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