The danger of defective firearms lies in their ability to malfunction when users don't expect it, usually during routine handling or storage, when safety procedures are being followed. A faulty trigger mechanism can fire a weapon without any trigger contact, and a faulty safety system may fail to prevent firearms from firing when dropped or jarred. Unexpected firearm discharges can cause injuries to legs, hips, or hands, leading to bone fractures, permanent disability, or even death.
In the event that a malfunctioning firearm has caused you injury, The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can assist you in filing a claim against the responsible manufacturer and obtaining compensation.
How Manufacturing Defects Create Unexpected Dangers
Defective materials or poor manufacturing can also cause gun components to fail under normal operating conditions. During firing, slides can split, barrels can burst, and other critical failures may cause devastating injuries to the face, eyes, and hands of the shooter. If a gun slide splits while using reloaded ammunition, a shooter may sustain severe eye injuries, showing how firearm components can fail. When a gun barrel bursts, the explosive force sends metal fragments outward at high velocity, and it may cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.
The Lasting Health Impact of Defective Firearm Injuries
Accidents caused by defective firearms can happen without warning during what should be routine, safe handling. Victims often sustain complex, multi-layered trauma that extends far beyond the initial gunshot wound, including nerve damage that results in chronic pain, numbness, and lasting functional disabilities.
When a gun component explodes or fragments, metal fragments can embed in tissues and cause nerve damage and chronic pain. Face injuries caused by firearm parts failure may require reconstructive surgery and leave permanent scars, while injuries to the eye may result in partial or total vision loss. Accidents involving firearms often cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
Steps to Document and Support Your Firearm Injury Claim
Cases involving defective firearms involve complex product liability principles and are vigorously defended by manufacturers. In order to prove a successful claim, it is necessary to preserve the malfunctioning weapon, as well as document the defect that caused the injury. Demonstrating that a defect is the result of a systemic problem can be particularly useful. Gathering evidence such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records helps establish the link between the firearm defect and your injuries. Our product liability lawyer, Sean M. Cleary, can help guide you through all the necessary steps in order to maximize compensation for the injuries you sustained.
How Attorney Sean M. Cleary Helps Build Strong Product Liability Cases
Firearms manufacturers have a legal obligation to design safe products, use appropriate materials, and manufacture their weapons safely, as well as to warn consumers of known risks. The failure to meet these responsibilities can result in liability under design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn theories. After filing a claim, you may be able to recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as permanent disability compensation.
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we understand the technical and legal complexities involved with defective firearm cases. During the preparation of your case, we consult with firearms experts, ballistics experts, and medical professionals who have knowledge of the subject matter. If you have been injured by a malfunctioning firearm, please contact our Miami office as soon as possible so that we can preserve evidence and seek compensation on your behalf.