Firearm Accidents, Injuries and Wrongful Deaths

It’s a sad fact that Alaska has the highest rate of gun deaths in the entire U.S. In 2014, more people in Alaska were killed by guns than by all forms of transportation combined. While many of these gun deaths can be attributed to homicide or suicide, a disturbing number of them are due to firearm accidents.

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Common causes of firearm accidents include improper gun storage, irresponsible use, poor maintenance, and other safety issues. In some cases, the gun itself may be defective either by design or manufacture. There have even been cases of accidental firearm injury to bystanders in shooting incidents at a gun range or during hunting.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury in a firearm accident, you may find yourself struggling to pay medical bills or maintain a steady income. If someone else was responsible for your injury, whether by manufacturing a defective firearm or by another type of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Our firearm accident lawyers can help you seek fair compensation while you focus on getting better.

Gun Ownership in Alaska

Alaskans are proud gun owners. Many Alaskans consider their guns to be necessary tools for subsistence, sporting, recreation, and self-defense. For those who don’t hunt, shooting ranges offer opportunities to test their marksmanship and enjoy their hobby in a safe, controlled environment. Unfortunately, gun ownership and use sometimes have unintended consequences and can result in injury or death.

If you’ve been injured in a firearm accident that wasn’t your fault, Crowson Law Group is here for you. With our personal injury lawyers on your side, you’ll be able to focus on recovering from your injuries while we work on obtaining compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. With offices in Anchorage and Wasilla, we proudly serve all of Alaska. We invite you to call or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Product Liability / Defective Design or Manufacture

We expect particularly dangerous products like guns to be manufactured using extreme care and high standards. Guns must work flawlessly to ensure the safety of the user and bystanders. The trigger should give way with a moderate amount of resistance. Safety locks should remain in place to prevent an unintentional discharge.

Sometimes, though, guns don’t work as intended. There may be a flaw in the original design or a manufacturer may fail to use proper materials or procedure. Common firearm defects include:

  • oversensitive trigger
  • trigger safety failure
  • faulty bolt action
  • failure to eject shells
  • defective chamber indicator
  • dropped fire
  • hammer follow malfunction
  • ammo case head disintegration

The gun designer or manufacturer may be liable for these and any other defects that result in injury.

Gun Owner or Seller Negligence

Even in cases of faulty manufacture or design, additional negligence can contribute to a firearm accident. Negligent conduct can range from recklessness, such as playing Russian roulette with loaded weapons, to mere carelessness, such as loading a gun with the safety off or selling a gun without thoroughly examining it beforehand. Other cases may involve negligence in the sale, entrustment, or storage of firearms.

Negligent gun sales may occur when a sale is in violation of the law or involves customers who are intoxicated, mentally unstable, or indicate criminal intentions. Negligent entrustment cases occur when the defendant allows someone incompetent, inexperienced, or reckless to have access to the gun.

Negligent storage cases are among the most familiar and most tragic firearm accidents. These cases often involve guns left accessible to young children who cannot appreciate their dangers and end up accidentally discharging them. Guns should always be stored safely, appropriately, and far away from individuals too young or irresponsible to use them.

Of course, the best way to deal with firearm accidents is to prevent them in the first place. We hope that Alaskan firearm owners do their best to practice safe and responsible ownership. Unfortunately, accidents can happen even to the most careful gun owners or to anyone who comes into proximity with a firearm.

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If you or a loved one has been injured –

or you have lost a loved one –

Contact us by email: [email protected]

Or by phone: 855-897-5708 (toll free), 907-331-3845 (Anchorage) or 907-341-4187 (Wasilla) to speak with our Anchorage or Wasilla personal injury lawyers.

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