Despite the fact that shooting ranges must use properly constructed lane dividers to protect customers from stray bullets and ricochets, some facilities use inadequate materials that fail to contain high-velocity rounds. If these barriers are constructed with substandard materials or lack proper ballistic protection, the consequences can be fatal. The wrongful death case of A. Brito tragically shows how improper construction and safety protocols can cause deadly accidents.
The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can pursue justice against negligent operators of Miami shooting ranges. If your family has lost a loved one due to inadequate safety measures, do not hesitate to contact us.
The Fatal Consequences of Inadequate Lane Protection
A. Brito was struck by a bullet fired by another customer through the lane divider, turning what should have been a safe shooting experience into a tragedy. Kevlar or other ballistic-resistant materials were not present on the divider, which allowed bullets to pass through and cause catastrophic injuries. Mr. Brito suffered a ballistic injury to his head extending from his right temporal lobe, with metallic bullet fragments scattered along his path through his brain.
The medical evidence revealed the full extent of the devastating injuries caused by this preventable accident. Beyond the initial penetrating trauma, Mr. Brito experienced subarachnoid hemorrhages, cerebral edema, and uncal herniation that compressed critical brain structures. The impact caused fractures of the sphenoid bone, frontotemporal hematoma, and comminuted fractures of the facial bones, which ultimately led to his death, demonstrating how bullets that penetrate inadequate barriers maintain sufficient energy to cause massive tissue destruction.
Range Operators Must Ensure Proper Ballistic Protection
A shooting range's lane dividers must be constructed using materials specifically designed to stop the types of ammunition they use. The use of wood, drywall, and thin metal sheets can be dangerous for adjacent shooters because they cannot contain high-velocity bullets. For shooting ranges, bullet-resistant barriers such as Kevlar, steel plates, or other materials are necessary to prevent rounds from passing through neighboring lanes.
The failure to use proper ballistic materials is a serious breach of the duty of care that ranges owe their customers. Cutbacks in construction costs can lead to foreseeable risks that can result in severe injuries or even death for innocent customers who are unprotected from bullets fired from adjacent lanes.
Pursuing Justice for Preventable Shooting Range Deaths with The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary
Liability issues arising from lane divider failures require a thorough investigation of range construction standards, ballistic testing of materials, and industry safety requirements. As a result, the case against the range operator in the Brito matter was filed in federal court and resolved for the facility's $1 million insurance policy limits, while a separate settlement with the shooter was reached for a confidential but significant amount.
Our team at The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary has successfully handled wrongful death cases at shooting ranges and understands what it takes to hold negligent operators responsible. In collaboration with ballistic experts and construction engineers, we build comprehensive cases that demonstrate how appropriate materials could have prevented tragedies like these. Contact our Miami office for a free consultation to learn how we can help in cases of wrongful deaths at shooting ranges.