Victims of shootings often go uncompensated because they don’t understand the extent of their legal rights. If you, a friend, or family has been shot at or you have lost someone following an incident, you should know the next steps to take. So, can you sue someone for shooting you?
Who To Sue After Being Shot
Being shot means loss of life, and even if you survive, you will spend a lot of money on treatment and lose time waiting to heal and resume your normal activities fully. This is why it is crucial to secure a financial recovery, and the only way to do that is by taking civil action against any of the following parties involved:
The Gun Holder
With the help of a Minneapolis criminal lawyer, you can sue someone who shot you unless they defend themselves by stating that it was in self-defense or justified in any way. The defendant will be asked to pay for the damages caused. An excellent example is when you are shot by hunters. If the gun holder was negligent when handling, aiming, or firing the gun, or otherwise carelessly firing in the air or under the influence, then you have a pretty strong case.
Property Owners
While you may want to sue the actual shooter after an incident, the felons or culprits often lack the financial means to pay up. The best way to go is to look for other liable parties. Did you know that you can sue based on where the shooting happened?
You can sue the property owner if the crime was committed in your apartment or commercial property because they are required to provide a safe environment. They failed at the job if they knew about the crime rates in the area or didn’t warn you about a dangerous tenant or renter of the property.
Business Managers
There are several instances of shootings in clubs and bars. If this happens to you, you can sue the branch manager for failing to protect the establishment. Such places should adequately train security personnel and provide around-the-clock customer protection. The premises should also have metal detectors and properly screen everyone, ensuring no guns enter the business.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you lose someone or get injured after a shooting, then you are within your rights to demand indemnification. This award caters to your medical bills and compensates you for lost wages and pain and suffering. The only way to navigate this is by contacting an expert like Lynne Torgerson for help with your case.