Hunting accidents can leave victims with injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Hunting accidents can include more than just gunshot wounds, and many of these injuries can be made worse by any delays in getting you the medical care you need.
If you or a loved one was injured in a hunting accident in Houston or the surrounding areas, contact The Queenan Law Firm today. Our Houston hunting accident injury lawyers can take your case and work to get you the compensation you deserve after facing injuries. To schedule a free legal consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Common Hunting Injuries
The injuries you can sustain in a hunting accident differ depending on the kind of hunting you are doing. The weapons you use can lead to different potential accidents if you are bow hunting as opposed to shooting game birds, and the transportation and environment used in various types of hunting can also play into the injuries you might receive. While you may be injured by the game you are hunting, it is unlikely that anyone could be blamed for those injuries. Instead, our attorneys focus on the kinds of injuries caused by the negligence of another hunter or someone else involved with your hunting trip of an equipment manufacturer. The following are all common types of hunting injuries that someone might be responsible for.
Gunshot Wounds
If one of your hunting companions accidentally shoots you with a firearm, you could suffer serious injuries. If a gunshot wound occurs in a vital area, the victim could even be killed in a hunting accident. Shotguns may produce more wounds over a larger area while rifle shots and other larger-caliber bullets are more likely to cause substantial damage to a single location. Everyone who hunts with a gun should know that you never point a gun at something you do not intend to kill and that mishandling a firearm is a serious example of negligence.
If you are bow hunting, you may be shot by a stray arrow. Arrow wounds can also be extremely dangerous depending on the location of the wound.
Equipment Failure and Malfunction Injuries
Much of the equipment used on a hunting trip, besides the actual weapons, can also cause injuries. If the equipment was improperly maintained or you purchased a piece of defective equipment, you could be seriously injured. For instance, a defective knife or hatchet could break, causing serious injuries while handling game or performing bushcraft activities.
Firearms and other equipment could also become damaged or dangerous due to manufacturing or design defects, potentially injuring you when it is fired or contributing to the risks of mishandling the weapon.
Falls from Heights
Treestands and hunting blinds may be placed in high places to get a good view of the surrounding area. If someone improperly fastens any of this equipment or any ropes or harnesses used for climbing, you could fall, potentially suffering serious injuries. These falls can also occur if the equipment was improperly designed or manufactured. A fall from a tree or other high location could cause traumatic brain injury or injuries to the back and neck, potentially leaving you paralyzed.
Property Injuries
Some hunting grounds are privately owned. If someone allows you to hunt on their property, or even if you were trespassing in violation of “Posted” signs when the injury occurred, you may be able to hold the property owner accountable for dangerous defects on their property. Things like dangerous permanent treestands, collapsing hunting cabins or other buildings, and even unmarked traps or dangers on their property could cause serious injuries you should be compensated for.
Compensation for Hunting Injuries in Texas
If you or a loved one was injured in a hunting accident in the Houston area, or anywhere else in Texas, you may be able to hold someone accountable for the injuries. If you were injured by a companion on your hunting trip or because a guide or instructor failed to give you the proper warning or instructions, you may be able to sue these individuals for their negligence. In addition, property owners could be held liable for dangers on their property, and manufacturers of weapons and equipment could be held liable for dangerous designs and manufacturing errors.
When you hold someone liable for your injuries, they may be ordered to pay compensation for the harms you suffered. These harms typically include damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, and any wages you lost because of your injuries. If you suffered other harms, such as the loss of a loved one, you may be compensated for these damages as well.
Call to Schedule a Free Legal Consultation with Our Houston Hunting Injury Attorneys
After a serious hunting accident, you may face hospital bills, may miss work, and may suffer immense pain and suffering. If the delay in immediate medical care results in more serious injuries, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for the harm you suffered. The surviving family of someone killed in a hunting accident can also receive substantial compensation. To learn more about your potential case, contact the Houston hunting accident injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm today at (817) 476-1797.