Memphis Injury Lawyer Report: Hunter's Safety Fails
Yesterday, a Memphis area man was accidentally shot while hunting in Shelby County. As a trial lawyer who handles personal injury cases, it occurred to me that some may wonder whether or not this could be the basis for a negligence lawsuit. Needless to say, we would all hope that events such as this never happen at all. But if sportsmen are not extremely cautious, others can be injured in West Tennessee's sporting areas.
In 2007, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Report stated that 11 persons were either wounded or killed in hunting related accidents. The average age of the victim was 51 years of age and the average distance from the victim to the source of the shot was 21 to 50 yards. While details are still quite sketchy, it has been reported in the local media that deer hunters fired their rifle or shotgun from several hundred feet away striking the victim. This happened at approximately this location. You will note the close proximity to subdivisions and busy streets:
Negligence is defined in the law as the breach of a known duty that is the direct cause of an injury or damage. Please remember that when you are handling a firearm that you are engaged in an ultra-hazardous activity. When you pull the trigger, you may miss the target and if you have not considered what might lay beyond, then you could be held liable in a court of law. many helpful tips for safety in hunting can be found at the TWRA website.
