Talking Turkey About Hunting Accidents and Personal Liability

There were 89 reported hunting accidents in Missouri between 2009 and 2011.  Of those, 7 caused fatal injuries.

With the season approaching, it is important for all who partake in the sport to stay safe and remain vigilant about the other hunting enthusiasts around them. In Missouri it is required that all hunters complete a hunter education program before being issued a permit. During that class they will learn about the responsibilities of a hunter and how to avoid hunting accidents. If a hunter inadvertently injured you, there is a good chance he was not following the standards that he had been taught, and you may be eligible to receive compensation for that injury. Contact a Missouri personal injury attorney to find out if you have a valid claim for another hunters’ negligence.

Moving Into Another’s Line of Fire

There are three common causes of hunting injuries that occur in our state. The first is when one hunter moves into another’s line of fire. An experienced hunter should always loudly identify his target before making a shot.

Swinging On Game

The second typical accident most often occurs when hunting flying birds. While aiming, the bird takes off and the hunter follows with its sight. (Remember the Dick Cheney incident?) This is known as swinging on game and can cause serious injury if the hunter accidentally swings his rifle towards a person while firing.

When Another Hunter is Mistaken For a Target

The last injury occurs when someone is mistaken for a target. Again, this can be avoided if the hunter identifies the game before making his shot. The Spring 2012 turkey hunting season saw four of these types of accidents, where other hunters were mistaken for turkeys.

One such case occurred with part of a three man hunting party. They were spread out like a fan, when one decided to leave his position and take cover behind a hill. Hearing a noise coming from the bushes, he fired his shotgun thinking it was a turkey, when in fact it was one of the members of his hunting party. The plaintiff was injured, waist to head, with one hundred lead pellets. While one side argued that the hunter did not identify the target, the other faulted the injured hunter for not wearing an orange vest or calling out his position. While safety regulations insist that a target be identified before a shot is fired, they do not stipulate that a hunter needs to wear orange or let known his location. Due to the extent of his injury and expert testimony that he now suffered a reduction in his wage earning capacity, the case was settled for the plaintiff in the amount of $500,000.

You do have legal rights if you are injured in a hunting accident in Missouri. If the shooter was not acting in a safe manner or was behaving recklessly, than your injury was caused by his negligence and he is responsible for your losses as a result. If you think you have a claim for negligence against another hunter ask Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200 for assistance in helping you obtain your rightful compensation.

Photo credit:  Buck Valley Ranch