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Understanding the Legal Implications of Lightning-Related Injuries

Posted in Accident & Injury, Health & Wellness on June 26, 2023

Lightning

When lightning strikes, the consequences can be devastating, causing severe injuries such as burns, neurological damage, and cardiac issues. Understanding the legal implications surrounding lightning-related injuries becomes crucial in these unfortunate instances.

Liability and Negligence  

  • Property Owners: Property owners are legally responsible for maintaining a safe environment for visitors and occupants. Suppose a lightning-related injury occurs on someone’s property due to negligence, such as failing to provide proper lightning protection measures. The property owner may be liable for the resulting damages in that case.
  • Employers: Employers must also provide a safe working environment for their employees. If an employer fails to take reasonable precautions during thunderstorms or neglects to implement lightning safety protocols, they may be liable for any injuries sustained by their employees.
  • Manufacturers of Faulty Lightning Protection Equipment: In some cases, lightning-related injuries may occur due to faulty or defective lightning protection equipment. If the equipment is defective or proper warnings and instructions were not provided, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the injuries suffered.

Proving Negligence  

To establish liability in lightning-related injury cases, negligence must be proven. This typically involves demonstrating the following elements:

  • Duty of Care: Showing that the defendant had a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent lightning-related injuries.
  • Breach of Duty: Demonstrating that the defendant failed to fulfill their duty of care by not implementing necessary safety measures or providing faulty equipment.
  • Causation: Establishing a direct link between the defendant’s breach of duty and the lightning-related injury suffered by the victim.
  • Damages: Providing evidence of the physical, emotional, and financial damages incurred due to the lightning-related incident.

Contact Elk + Elk for a free case review.

Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to providing victims with superior legal care. Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or visit us online.