A tragic gun accident in Dekalb County left a two-year-old in critical condition. The shooting happened around 2:15 a.m. at a Knight’s Inn in Georgia. According to police, a two-year-old boy pulled a revolver out of his mother’s purse while she was sleeping. The gun accidently discharged, gravely wounding the child. He was transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition. The family is from North Carolina and had just checked into the motel for the night.
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Georgia personal injury lawyers are saddened to hear of this recent horrific accident. We urge all parents to store their guns safely away from children. When an accidental shooting does occur, it can raise serious issues concerning liability. Our firm has handled several gun-related personal injury claims and can assist our eligible clients with these complex cases.
Rates of Accidental Gun Deaths May Be Higher Than Reported
This Dekalb gun accident is the most recent in a series of gun accidents involving children. According to federal data from the Centers for Disease Control, an average of 62 children under the age of 14 are killed each year due to an accidental shooting. According to information published by Everytownresearch.org, a website supporting gun safety, the actual incidence of childhood gun deaths due to accidental shootings is far higher. Researchers with this organization reviewed public accidental shootings and found that over 100 unintentional child gun deaths occurred during a one-year period. This data indicates that the rate of child gun fatalities could be higher than we even realize.
Liability for Child Gun Accidents and Injuries
Parents who fail to secure their firearms properly out of reach of children could be considered negligent depending upon the circumstances of the individual case. If a child gets a hold of an unsecured gun and discharges it, causing injury or death to another, the injured victim and their family could file suit against the gun owner in court. Parents could also face criminal charges where their child injures or kills themselves with the parent’s unsecured weapon.
School shootings are another issue that is related to children and guns. In this case, parents could potentially be held accountable for their negligence in allowing the child access to their gun. Schools can be another potentially liable party if they failed to address the potential threat and provide adequate security to prevent the shooting. Gun related accidents are horrific, and all gun owners should take steps to secure their weapons safely so that no child will have access to them.
Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
Jacksonville.com
