Teenager Accidentally Shot At Caliber Tactical Gun Range In Waukegan

Unsafe Premises - April 4, 2022

Teenager From Libertyville Injured In Accidental Shooting At Caliber Tactical Gun Range In Waukegan

Teenager Accidentally Shot At Caliber Tactical Gun Range In Waukegan

WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS (April 4, 2022) – A teenager was injured after being accidentally shot by an employee of the Caliber Tactical Gun Range on Washington Street.

Lake County officials are saying that the incident took place around 2:15 p.m. on Friday. An employee of Caliber Tactical Gun Range accidentally discharged a weapon under unclear conditions.

The bullet went through the employee’s thigh before ricocheting off the floor and hitting a teenager in the wrist. Paramedics were called to the scene of the shooting in order to help both people.

The teenager and Caliber Tactical Gun Range employee were taken to the Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment. Waukegan police officers recovered the firearm, shell casing and other evidence.

It remains unclear if any charges will be filed.

Liability In Waukegan Accidental Gun Range Shootings

Guns can be extremely dangerous when they are not properly used. Accidental shootings are far more common than many people realize. Nearly 500 people are killed in accidental shootings every year. According to Aftermath, “Accidental gun deaths occur mainly to those under 25 years old. So far in 2022, 209 children (age 0-17) have died by gunshot and an additional 519 were injured.”  Adolescents are especially vulnerable to accidental shootings. There are a number of steps that every gun owner should take to prevent a negligent discharge.

  • Guns should be stored in a secure spot behind lock and key when not in use.
  • Guns should always be treated as if they are loaded, even if they are empty.
  • Firearms should always be pointed in a safe direction in the event of an accidental discharge.
  • Anyone holding a gun should always keep their trigger finger outside of the guard until they are ready to fire.
  • Always be certain of your line of fire and consider what is past your target.

Gun ranges have a legal obligation to exercise caution and do everything in their power to keep guests safe. The owner of a gun range could potentially be liable for an accidental shooting if it was caused by a dangerous condition on their property. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Statute (740 ILCS 130/1), property owners have a duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and must take measures to protect entrants from defects on their property.

Accidental shootings are nearly always preventable. If the employee of a gun range accidentally shoots someone, their employer could be held at fault through a negligence claim. Generally speaking, employers are vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. An accidental shooting may have been the result of a gun range employee being poorly trained. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any accidental shooting.

  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • Work records should be examined.
  • Training manuals should be reviewed.

Any person that is injured in an accidental shooting at a gun range may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. It is extremely important to continue to seek treatment after any accident. Many victims will not realize the full extent of their injuries. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating A Waukegan Accidental Gun Range Shooting

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the Libertyville teenager injured in this shooting at the Caliber Tactical Gun Range in Waukegan. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim. Someone could have easily been killed. It is our sincere hope that safety measures are put in place to prevent similar accidents.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an accidental shooting at a gun range? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.