Gun Shot Injuries
Shooting injuries can happen in an instant and wreak devastation that lasts for years, or even a lifetime. The victim of a shooting injury may suffer severe bodily harm, including loss of blood, harm to internal organs, paralysis and loss of life.
If you or someone you love has suffered from a bullet wound or an injury from misuse of a firearm, the lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright may be able to help you recover a settlement that provides the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Contact us online today or call us toll free at 877-421-9173.
Bullets are designed to damage the target they hit through their impact or penetration. Three different types of bullets are in common use today: frangible or fragmenting, expanding and non-expanding.
- Frangible bullets break apart when they hit their target. This means the wound will be larger, but more shallow. However, that wound also makes it more difficult for a surgeon to remove the shrapnel, because the pieces are scattered.
- A non-expanding bullet remains in one piece and often goes straight through the target and out the other side. This can present additional danger: a hunter, for example, may shoot clear through an animal; the non-expanding bullet may then continue its trajectory and hit a second target.
- A third type of bullet is the expanding bullet, which retains its shape but expands after hitting the target. This bullet causes maximum damage and seldom exits the target.
The severity of a bullet wound depends on the type of bullet and the angle at which it hits its victim. A shot that hits someone but doesn't break the skin is called a grazing wound. A bullet that penetrates the skin and is lodged there causes a penetrating wound. Finally, a bullet that enters the victim at one point and exits at another is called a perforating wound.
All bullet wounds require the same response: treatment by emergency services. While waiting for medical help to arrive, apply immediate pressure to the wound and hold it there for at least 10 minutes. Try to keep the victim still and, if possible, elevate the area of the wound above the heart. Apply a cold ice pack to the wound, if you have one. Victims should also be treated for shock. At the emergency room, doctors will x-ray the wounds and examine the patient, paying particular attention to the possibility that the bullet penetrated internal organs. They may also try to remove the bullet if it is still lodged in the body.
Guns may also cause other injuries, including shooting misfires and gunpowder burns. While modern guns don't misfire often an injury can result by a gun aimed in the wrong direction. Gunpowder burns, generally occurring on the face and hands, happen when a fouled black powder is fired, usually by young people between the ages of 11 and 20.
Shooting injuries can be very serious and, unfortunately, are all too common. In 2006, for example, there were 1,361 deaths and 1,691 hospitalizations due to firearm-related injuries in Pennsylvania. Gun owners can take precautions to prevent accidental shootings. The first step is to enroll in a gun safety course. Many gun injuries occur to children and teenagers due to their natural curiosity. Make sure that children and teens do not have access to guns. Invest in a locking cabinet safe and store your gun there. Trigger locks will prevent an unauthorized user from firing a gun; the combination of a safe and a trigger will give you the highest level of safety.
If you've suffered a shooting injury, the lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright may be able to help.
At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our goal is to provide exceptional legal service to our clients. If you have been seriously injured, or if someone you love has lost their life due to a shooting injury, contact our office to learn more about your legal rights and options. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience. For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns, contact us online today, or call us toll free at 877-421-9173.
