There was a story in the paper last week about a man shot in a Barry County Hunting Accident on November 19 in Prairieville Township. According to the Prairieville Township Police, a 58-year-old Farmington Hills man was allegedly shot in the chest while standing in a hunting camp on Ford Road when a 12-gauge slug came through heavy woods. The slug was fired by a 51-year old hunter some 300-400 yards away, who missed the deer he was shooting at. The injured hunter was taken to Borgess Medical Center for treatment.

If you would like more information about your legal rights after a Michigan injury accident, medical malpractice, wrongful death case, or other accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Guide To Injury Cases In Michigan” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan injury and accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

There was a story in the paper today about an Oceana County Deer Hunting Accident on November 22 in Elbridge Township. According to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department, a 39-year-old Muskegon man was allegedly shot in the arm while hunting in with a group of approximately 20 people. Sheriff’s Department also stated that the group of hunters had formed a circle around three deer that were running  east to west when multiple men started firing shots. The injured hunter was treated at the scene then taken to Mercy Health Partners Hackley Campus.

If you would like more information about your legal rights after a Michigan injury accident, medical malpractice, wrongful death case, or other accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Guide To Injury Cases In Michigan” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan injury and accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

A Waterloo Township hunting accident has left a local man in a drug-induced coma at University of Michigan Hospital Trauma Center.  Jerry Kennedy, 63, was shot in the face while hunting on November 26, 2008 at Waterloo Recreation Area in Waterloo Township.  Police are still investigating the accident but did state that Jerry Kennedy did not shoot himself.

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I hope this man is able to have a complete recovery.  Police did indicate they expected to be able to speak to Jerry Kennedy later this week, and I certainly hope this is the case.

Although the police are still investigating whether they will file criminal charges against the person who shot Jerry Kennedy, his family, and, after he recovers somewhat, Jerry Kennedy as well, should consider that they may want to file what is called a civil lawsuit against the shooter.  This lawsuit would be a private action between Jerry Kennedy and the shooter.  As compared to a criminal case, lesser level of guilt or culpability would be required for Jerry Kennedy to prevail.  For instance, a negligence lawsuit would require Jerry Kennedy’s lawyer to prove the shooter did not use reasonable care when firing his weapon.  

This lawsuit could allow Jerry Kennedy to recover damages for his hospital bills and any follow-up treatment necessary.  He could also collect payment for lost wages or lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.  He or a member of his family should make arrangements to speak to a lawyer soon while witnesses’ memories are still fresh.

For more information about Michigan firearm injury cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan gun accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

A Harbor Beach hunting accident resulted in the death of a hunter on November 30, 2008 when a man fell 25 feet from his tree stand.  Scott Booms was hunting with his two sons and brother-in-law when he fell in a wooded region near Kaufman and Parisville.  He was pronounced dead at Harbor Beach Hospital.  Authorities attributed the fall to a broken bolt that connected the blind to the tree. 

I am very sorry this accident occurred.  I want to extend my sympathies to Scott Booms’ family, especially his sons and brother-in-law. 

When a hunter is killed in a fall from a tree stand, it is usually not the hunter’s fault.  The fall can happen for a variety of reasons.  One of the most important is that the tree stand itself is defective.  In 2007, for example, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 9000 tree stands were recalled after securing pins failed.  A very large number of these defective products were discovered only after their owners had suffered injuries from serious falls.  There have been cases in the past where falls similar to this one were caused by tree stands that were defective when they were sold.  When this happens, a fall may give rise to a lawsuit against the manufacturer and seller of the tree stand.

In addition, if someone else was negligent in setting up this particular tree stand, the estate of Scott Booms could sue that person.  Since it was likely one of Scott Booms’ sons or brother-in-law that set up the tree stand, the family may be hesitant to sue them.  However, if there is an insurance policy in place which would cover this loss, it may actually be worth it to sue a relative since the insurance company will defend the lawsuit and pay any damages awarded.  By speaking with a lawyer, the family could evaluate whether a lawsuit is something they want to pursue.  They could also better determine if they can collect damages from a non-family member or from an insurance company without filing a lawsuit. 

For more information about Michigan hunting accident cases, visit our law firm web site at http://www.buckfirelaw.com/.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan hunting accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

A Cheboygan hunting accident resulted in two young children being grazed with a bullet.  A man was deer hunting on November 20, 2008 when he accidentally shot a round toward a day care center.  The stray bullet grazed a three year old and a five year old.  According to police, the hunter may not have known there was a daycare center in the area.  They are still deciding whether the man will be charged with a crime.I am very sorry this accident happened.  These children’s parents must have been a nervous wreck when they found out about this.  I hope they have a complete recovery.

Regardless of whether police file formal criminal charges against the hunter, the parents can still file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation for their children’s damages against the hunter.  Their success in the lawsuit will likely turn on whether the hunter used reasonable care while he was hunting.  Although many people would say that firing a stray bullet into a day care center suggests he was not being careful, a complete consultation with an experienced Michigan hunting accident attorney would be the best way to evaluate whether such a lawsuit would be successful.  I would encourage the family to speak with a lawyer as soon as they can.For more information about Michigan firearm injury cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan gun accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.