The Charles County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that a four year old boy accidentally shot himself with a gun in a car parked in a driveway in La Plata last week.
The incident occurred in the early evening. According to deputies, a woman was reportedly watching her grandson play outside, and then the boy went into a parked car. The woman said she heard a gunshot and that the boy then ran to her. She saw the boy had a head wound, and immediately called 911.
The Sheriff’s Office said that the boy was flown to a hospital for treatment of a graze wound, and is expected to recover. Following a search, the police found a 9mm handgun in the parked car, which officers say is registered to a relative of the child. The incident remains under investigation.
Considering the circumstances surrounding this accident, it is a miracle that the child not only survived, but is expected to make a full recovery. The circumstances surrounding the storage of a loaded handgun in the child’s relative’s car seem very suspicious, and comes on the coattails of the implementation of Maryland’s new and stricter gun laws.
Children sustain injuries in innumerable scenarios, which can include things like dog bites, medical negligence or error, car accidents, swimming pool accidents, defective toys, and even by prescription drug errors. In order to recover for injuries, a typical lawsuit in this area requires proof that someone has acted in a negligent manner, and that their negligence was the cause of the child’s injuries. If a child’s guardian or other representative can establish negligence, the child is entitled to recover for his or her injuries. The child can also recover for any pain and suffering that accompanied those injuries, in addition to other things such as medical bills or expenses. Additionally, if the child is old enough to be employed or was employed at the time of the accident, the child can recover for his or her lost wages as a result of being injured.
Unfortunately, negligence and recklessness can cause more than just serious injury. Sometimes, a death occurs. When a child dies due to the negligence or recklessness of another person or entity, the child’s parents may be entitled to recover for the loss of the child and the loss of the child’s love, affection, and companionship. This is known as a wrongful death case.
If your child was injured or killed as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Our lawyers have extensive experience advocating on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered due to someone else’s negligent behavior in Maryland. We have represented families who have lost loved ones as a result of personal injury or wrongful deaths caused by auto accidents, hospital negligence, medical malpractice, and other traumatic events. If you believe that your loved one was harmed due to the negligent or wrongful actions of someone else, please contact us by calling 1-800-654-1949 or through our website in order to schedule your free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Overuse of Cardiac Stents Associated with Serious Injuries and Death, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published October 1, 2013
Baltimore Agrees to $50,000 Settlement in Student Sexual Case, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published September 30, 2013