ALEXANDER CITY GUN DEFECT ATTORNEYS

Defective Firearm Claims in Tallapoosa County

Gun defects are very common. Unfortunately, because firearms are some of the only consumer products that are not regulated by government agencies, there is no federal agency with the authority to mandate recalls for these defects. As such, consumers must rely on gun manufacturers to notify buyers and/or issue recalls.

All too often, gun manufacturers fail to act in a timely manner—or fail to recall defective firearms altogether. When this happens, innocent people can be severely injured or even killed due to accidental discharge, misfires, explosions, and other catastrophic events. At Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law, we believe in standing up for injured victims and the families of those wrongfully killed. Our Alexander City gun defect lawyers have more than 30 years of experience and have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for our clients. We are prepared to advocate for you and the justice you deserve.

Common Types of Gun Defects

Generally speaking, a gun defect is any type of flaw or failure that causes the firearm to fail, meaning it does not work as intended by the manufacturer. Note that firearms that have been modified or altered by the user are not generally considered defective, even if they malfunction or cause injury.

Some examples of common gun defects include:

• Failure to fire or misfire (“dud”)
• Case head separation
• Delayed discharge (“hang fire”)
• Incomplete or insufficient discharge (“squib load”)
• Missing load indicators
• Faulty disconnect mechanisms
• Cracked hammers
• Defective manual safety mechanisms
• Drop fires (discharge after being dropped)
• Cracked, split, or burst barrels
• Faulty or overly sensitive triggers
• Design flaws
• Improper marketing

In recent years, litigation has brought these defects into focus, with lawsuits brought against major firearms manufacturers such as Taurus, Smith & Wesson, FMK Firearms, Bushmaster, Remington Arms, Savage Arms, and others. These lawsuits allege that gun manufacturers have not only allowed defective firearms onto the consumer market but also, in some cases, have failed to properly issue recalls, remove defective guns from the market, or cease the sale of faulty firearms.

Recent Firearm Recalls

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), as many as 40% of newly manufactured firearms contain a defect. This equates to millions of Americans who are at risk of serious injury or death due to firearms accidents resulting from defective guns and gun components.

Recent firearm recalls include:

• Armalite AR-10, M15, and Eagle-15 rifles
• Beretta ARX100 rifles and NEOS pistols
• Browning BAR MK3 rifles
• Bushmaster ACR rifles
• Charter Arms Lady .38 special revolvers
• FMK Firearms 9C1 pistols
• Glock Gen 4 pistols
• Henry H015 Single Shot rifles and shotguns
• Honor Defense Honor Guard pistols
• Kel-Tec SUB-2000 rifles
• Knight Revolution muzzle-loading rifles
• Lyman black powder rifles and pistols
• Remington 710 bolt-action rifles, 38 Special +P ammunition, R51 pistols, and more
• Savage Arms B.MAG rifles
• Smith & Wesson i-Bolt rifles, SW 1911, Performance Center Model 329 and Model 460 revolvers
• Taurus Curve pistols and PT series pistols
• Winchester SXP shotguns, Model 94 rifles, XPR rifles, and more

Note that this is not an exhaustive list; you can find more information on gun recalls through the manufacturer (if available) or on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

Defective Firearm Injuries & Damages

No matter how safe or responsible a gun owner may be, a firearm defect puts them at risk. Unfortunately, defective guns often lead to severe and/or fatal injuries.

Some common injuries resulting from firearm defects include:

• Accidental amputation/loss of limb
• Hand and finger injuries
• Facial injuries
• Ear and eye injuries
• Gunshot wounds
• Leg, foot, and toe injuries

You may have a claim against the manufacturer (or another liable party) if you can prove that your injuries were the result of a defect. It is important that you preserve any available evidence and avoid talking to the manufacturer (or a representative) without first speaking to a lawyer. You should never sign anything provided to you by the manufacturer, insurance company, or a representative without an attorney’s advice.

If you have a case, you could be entitled to the following damages:

• Medical expenses, past and future
• Lost income/wages, past and future
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses

In some circumstances, victims may also be able to recover punitive damages. Unlike the compensatory damages outlined above, the purpose of punitive damages is not to help victims recover compensation for specific losses but, rather, to punish the liable party and send a message that such conduct will not be tolerated. Punitive damages are typically only available in cases where egregious negligence or wanton/willful misconduct can be proved.

Let Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law Fight for You

Since 1991, our firm has helped victims of personal injury and the loved ones of those wrongfully killed fight for the fair compensation they were owed. We handle complex product liability cases involving gun defects on behalf of clients throughout Alabama, providing personalized and compassionate service, as well as aggressive advocacy in the courtroom. Our Alexander City gun defect attorneys understand the challenges you face, and we know how to effectively argue for the maximum recovery you are owed.

Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law handles all personal injury and product liability cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay any attorney fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. Reach out to us today to learn more.