Firearm Accidents

Why Choose Us When You Need a Gun Accident Attorney in Anchorage

Nothing replaces years of experience navigating complex and challenging Alaska laws. Farnsworth & Vance have dedicated years of service to the Anchorage community, working to safeguard Alaskans’ rights under the law. When acts of negligence impact your life, let a knowledgeable gun accident lawyer at Farnsworth & Vance focus on removing the legal burden from you and taking the lead to pursue compensation recovery. When you choose to work with a member of our team, expect:

• Over 20 years of experience in civil litigation
• Zero upfront and out-of-pocket costs to you
• Only paying when we successfully recover compensation
• A superior level of service, starting at the beginning of your claim until completion
• An Anchorage gun accident lawyer willing to come to you when you cannot travel 
• An insider knowledge of how the Alaska insurance industry works
• Courtroom and trial experience
• A history of successful settlements and verdicts, equaling positive results for our clients

Farnsworth & Vance cannot guarantee results for you based on previous outcomes. However, we will fight for optimal compensation recovery. Many Alaskans are hesitant to take legal action, but seeking compensation recovery is a legal right to help provide financial restoration. Take the word of other Alaskans successfully compensated with our help.

Who May Be Responsible for Firearm Accidents

Multiple parties may hold responsibility for the damages in Anchorage gun accidents. Farmarm accident cases are some of the most complex cases in Alaska. Farnsworth & Vance is always up to the challenge of proving negligence to help clients on their road to recovery. These parties may be liable for your damages.

The Gun Owner

Gun owners owe a duty of care to others to safely own, maintain, and discharge firearms in a manner that does not cause personal injury and harm. However, firearm accidents and gun incidents remain high in Alaska. Data for the specified period provided by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services demonstrate that firearm injury mortality in Alaska has remained higher than the national average. While still accounting for the lowest rates of injury and death, unintentional firearm injury unnecessarily impacts many Alaskans. 

The uses of guns vary in Alaska, with many individuals using them to acquire food through hunting and for subsistence living in Alaska. Firearms are also a recreation, sport, and defense source for many. Gun owners may be liable for negligence when firearm injuries occur due to:

• Irresponsible or reckless use
• Improper firearm storage
• Poor maintenance

If you are injured in a gun accident that is not your fault, speak with the Anchorage gun accident attorneys at Farnsworth & Vance immediately. We will act swiftly to help secure any evidence that supports your case. Losing valuable documentation may impact the amount of compensation available to you.

A Seller

Firearm sales that violate state laws (Pg. 32, (2-4) may lead to seller negligence. An Anchorage gun accident lawyer will review gun sales that lead to firearm accidents to discover if a seller’s actions contributed to the damages you experienced. Negligence may have occurred in a firearm sale in Alaska when sales are made to:

• Underage Alaskans
• Intoxicated individuals
• Persons displaying mental instability
• Anyone indicating the intent to commit a crime

Obtaining information to prove seller negligence may require an Anchorage gun accident lawyer to subpoena personal records, video surveillance, and witness testimony. We will work to use all available resources to support your case.

Shooting Range Owners

Businesses that provide a space for target practice are responsible for a safe environment for these activities. Enforcing safety codes is critical when many individuals stand to be impacted by guns. Owners have a responsibility to keep their ranges up to code and acknowledge the laws regarding firearms and age restrictions, as well as alcohol and drug use. 

Firearm and Ammunitions Manufacturers

Defects in firearm manufacturing, negligent design, and a breach of contract or warranty may result in injury and damages caused by manufacturers or dealers. Civil liability (Sec. 09.65.155) is permitted by law. These actions may impact parts of a firearm or all the mechanisms in a firearm, potentially causing:

• Improper shell ejection
• Safety feature failures
• Improper bolt action
• An overly sensitive trigger

Examining other reports of injuries caused by manufacturing defects may help support your claim. Farnsworth & Vance will relentlessly take on large industries and manufacturers.

Potential Compensation in a Firearm Accident in Alaska

The damages sustained in firearms accidents may be extensive. Many damages available to firearm accident survivors remain unrecovered because the injured party is unaware of the damages they can be compensated for. An Anchorage gun accident attorney can discuss what compensation you may receive based on your personal injuries, including:

• The costs of medical treatment, including ongoing care and therapies
• Corrective surgeries
• Medication costs
• Lost income and bonuses
• Loss of earning capacity
• Travel costs to appointments
• Home modifications and assistance
• Pain and suffering 
• Scarring or amputation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

While we cannot guarantee a compensation amount for your injuries, we have witnessed many successful outcomes for clients with our assistance in navigating claims with insurance companies. We understand you need time to recuperate from your injuries, so we strive to simplify the process.  

When acts of negligence meet the state’s criteria, punitive damages may be sought if your case goes to trial. Punitive damages punish the at-fault party for outrageous or malicious acts of negligence instead of compensating for your injuries.

Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Firearm Accident

What you do following a firearm accident will depend on the severity of your injuries. First and foremost, seek medical care. Medical documentation is critical in a personal injury claim. Take the following steps when your physical abilities allow:

• Call 911 or ask witnesses to call for help
• Accept medical care even if your injuries are minor
• Document the injuries through pictures
• Keep all medical records and invoices
• When you are capable, write down a personal account of what happened
• Accept care recommendations and attend follow-up appointments
• Contact an Anchorage gun accident lawyer as soon as possible

The costs of medical care in Alaska are high. However, failing to accept and follow through with medical care can not only cost you compensation but exacerbate injuries. Let us fight to have your medical bills and other damages compensated appropriately.

What Not to Do Following a Firearm Accident in Alaska

Firearm accidents may be shocking and overwhelming. They may also produce anger, resulting in you or a loved one lashing out at the at-fault party. We never want your actions to impact your case or the case of someone you care for. Gun accident survivors may want to settle a claim swiftly to get on with life, which may also limit compensation amounts. These actions may significantly impact your claim:

• Not calling for medical care or law enforcement assistance
• Giving recorded statements to the insurance company
• Discussing the incident with others
• Admitting fault
• Posting pictures, making statements, or describing the incident on social media
• Not speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Alaska familiar with firearms accidents

Many of our staff have worked within the insurance industry and understand that the costs of an insurance company can be significant. Quick settlements often result in survivors receiving less compensation than they are owed. Choosing a good attorney is vital to your claim. 

Time Limits Applying to Alaska Firearm Accident Claims

A personal injury claim must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. The clock starts the moment an action occurs. Because some exceptions apply to these limitations, such as the age of the victim when the accident occurred or the at-fault party leaving the state, it is always recommended to speak with Anchorage gun accident lawyers before assuming time has run out. 

Losing a loved one in a firearm accident in Alaska will impact a family’s life from that moment forward. No amount of compensation eases the loss of a loved one. An Anchorage wrongful death attorney at Farnsworth & Vance can assist a personal representative of the deceased’s estate in filing a wrongful death claim and, when possible, a survival action.

Farnsworth & Vance strives to minimize the stress on loved ones impacted by firearm accidents. The same statute of limitations applies to wrongful death civil actions. Exceptions may apply, extending the time frame to 10 years. 

Alaska Gun Ownership Laws

The laws of gun ownership in Alaska are straightforward. Handgun laws are more strict. The following rules apply to possessing a firearm in Alaska:

• An individual 16 or older may possess a firearm
• A parent or guardian must give consent to anyone under 16 to possess a firearm
• To apply for a concealed handgun permit, an individual must be 21 or older and
• Have been a state resident for the 90 days preceding the permit application;
• Have no conviction of certain misdemeanors within six years of applying;
• Is not or has not, within three years of applying for a permit, been ordered by a court to complete a substance abuse program; and 
• Demonstrated handgun competence described by law

Discuss a firearm injury with an Anchorage gun accident attorney to determine if the at-fault party meets the state’s criteria to possess a firearm. Failing to comply with state law may constitute negligence. 

Proving Negligence in an Alaska Firearm Accident

Except for certain manufacturing defects, it is the injured party’s responsibility to prove negligence. Four elements must be present to hold an at-fault party liable for the damages suffered. These elements include:

• A duty of care: A party has the responsibility to act within a reasonable manner as another person in the same situation
• Breach of duty: The individual failed to act in a reasonable fashion
• Causation: Failing to act reasonably led to the party’s injuries and losses
• Damages: The injured party suffered harm or loss, requiring compensation to provide relief and restore the injured party to where they were or as close as possible to their original state before the incident occurred

Farnworth & Vance takes proving negligence seriously. We realize that without solid evidence, your claim will suffer. Our goal is to seek the maximum compensation available to you.

Contact an Anchorage Gun Accident Accident Lawyer

It is not uncommon for firearm accident survivors to face mounting medical bills, lasting physical injuries, and a diminished quality of life. Our goal is to minimize the impact on your life through exceptional service as we help you navigate the legal system to seek compensation. Schedule a no-obligation, free consultation today to begin the recovery process.

Submit an online contact form or call (907) 290-8980 to speak to a member of our legal team about your case today.