New York Gunshots

While spinal cord injuries are often associated with car accidents and falls, nearly 10% of new spinal cord injuries each year in New York and across the country are caused by gunshots. While some such injuries occur as a result of intentional criminal acts, others are due to negligent or accidental hunting accidents, accidents at shooting ranges, or due to some other type of accidental discharge. If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to the accidental or intentional discharge of a firearm, it is important that you contact an experienced New York gunshots lawyer as you may have the right to compensation for your medical costs related to the spinal injury, lost income, and pain and suffering.

With a gunshot injury, an intentional act of violence is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, as New York gunshots attorneys with decades of experience, we know that many people are shot accidentally or through negligence.

• Design or manufacturing defects. Just like a vehicle, a toy, or an appliance, guns are sometimes designed or manufactured poorly. When a gun unexpectedly discharges due a poor design or negligent manufacturing and as a result someone suffers a serious injury such as a spinal cord injury, the manufacturer of the gun can be held liable.
• Accidental discharge. If someone accidentally discharges a firearm while cleaning it, transporting it, or while handling it for some other reason, and as a result you are shot and injured, then that person is legally liable for your injury. Accidental discharge can occur for a number of reasons such as failing to engage the safety, dropping the firearm, or grasping the firearm with a finger on the trigger.
• Reckless use. Guns are not toys. However, sometimes people handle them as if there are playthings. For example, aiming a loaded gun at someone and pretending to shoot could result in the gun discharging. Similarly, playing “Russian roulette” with a loaded gun is reckless. Also, celebratory firing a gun into the air is both reckless and dangerous.

There are many types of spinal cord injuries that are the result of gunshots including paraplegia, quadriplegia, anterior cord syndrome, and posterior cord syndrome. While some spinal cord injuries cause paralysis, paralysis is not the only symptom of an injury to the spinal cord. Other symptoms include:

• Pressure or pain in the back, head or neck
• Poor coordination
• Balance problems
• Difficulty walking
• Tingling or numbness in the hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Difficulty in breathing, coughing or clearing throat
• Muscle spasms

A severe spinal injury requires a long, painful course of treatment and period of recovery. Victims face significant medical expenses including fees associated with immediate treatment right after the injury, as well as long-term rehabilitative treatment. Because an injury to the spinal cord an affect the ability to walk, lift, and even breathe, you may not be able to return to work. As a result your financial situation may become tenuous. However, with the help of a gunshots attorney in New York, you can file a claim against the person who injured you and demand compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other related expenses.

Keep in mind that the person who accidentally or intentionally shot you may also face criminal charges under New York’s assault or homicide statutes. This does not mean that you cannot file a civil claim for damages.

If you suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of an intentional or accidental gunshot injury, contact a gunshots attorney serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to review your case. It is important that you are represented by an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with spinal cord injuries. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.