Hunting is a popular recreational activity in Oklahoma, but it is not without its risks. According to the International Hunter Education Association, thousands of hunting accidents occur every year, with varying degrees of severity. The CDC has also noted that non-fatal accidents are often underreported, suggesting the actual number of hunting accidents every year is much higher than what the statistics show.

The occurrence of hunting accidents is a stark reminder of the need for safety precautions and the potential legal implications of negligent behavior. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at liability in hunting accidents in Oklahoma.

Statutes and Regulations in Oklahoma Regarding Hunting

Understanding Oklahoma’s primary hunting regulations is crucial. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) oversees these regulations, ensuring that hunters follow the proper safety guidelines. Here are some pertinent points:

1. Hunter Safety Education: By law, any hunter born on or after January 1, 1972, must complete a Hunter Education course before buying a hunting license. This education serves as a preventive measure against hunting accident-related personal injury claims arising out of ignorance or lack of knowledge.
2. Hunting License Requirement: Like many states, Oklahoma requires hunters to obtain a valid license, ensuring they are aware of and can abide by the state’s hunting regulations.
3. Discharge Regulations: It’s illegal to discharge a firearm within certain distances from public roads or occupied buildings. These regulations reduce risks to bystanders.

Common Causes of Hunting Accidents in Oklahoma City

Like any activity that involves firearms and nature’s unpredictability, accidents happen. Some are minor, while others, tragically, can be life-altering or fatal. Here are the most common causes of hunting accidents in Oklahoma:

• Accidental Discharge: This is perhaps the most common and obvious. A hunter mistakenly fires their weapon without intending to. Distractions, poor weapon maintenance, or even a simple slip can lead to an accidental discharge.
• Mistaken for Game: It’s not uncommon for hunters to mistakenly shoot another person thinking they were game, especially during turkey or deer season. Proper wear, like high-visibility vests, is essential, but unfortunately, not everyone uses them.
• Tree Stand Accidents: These refer to injuries resulting from falls from tree stands or failures in the stands themselves. Given Oklahoma’s diverse topography, tree stand usage is widespread. Title 29, Section 4-115 of the Oklahoma Statutes requires hunters to use equipment, including tree stands, that meet safety standards set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
• Self-Inflicted Injuries: These include injuries one inadvertently causes to oneself, like tripping and shooting oneself or getting caught in one’s own trap. It’s illegal to hunt under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but a surprising number of hunting accidents are influenced by substance use.

Negligence in Hunting Accident Injury Claims

Establishing liability for a hunting accident can be complex. Usually, liability hinges on the legal concept of negligence. Simply put, if someone did not exercise reasonable care and caution while hunting and that led to an accident, they could be held liable.

To establish negligence in any of the following hunting situations, one must prove four primary elements:

1. Duty: The hunter had a responsibility or duty of care towards the injured party.
2. Breach: The hunter breached that duty.
3. Cause: This breach directly caused the injury.
4. Damages: There were actual damages as a result.

Hunter-to-Hunter Accidents

Hunter-to-hunter accidents are common. In such situations, the shooter can be held liable if it is proven they acted negligently, like failing to identify the target properly or ignoring basic safety guidelines. These are often considered civil matters, although criminal charges, like reckless endangerment, can also come into play.

Landowner Liability

Under the Oklahoma Recreational Use Statute (Title 76, §10.1), landowners who allow hunters on their property for recreational purposes, generally, are not liable for injuries unless they acted in bad faith or displayed “willful or wanton misconduct.” So, if you trip over a tree root while hunting on someone else’s property, it’s usually on you, not the landowner.

Hunt Organizer Liability

Sometimes hunting accidents occur during organized hunts. Event organizers could be held liable if they failed to follow or enforce safety guidelines or did not adequately warn participants of known hazards. This liability is often outlined in waiver forms, but waivers do not provide a hunt organizer with blanket immunity from lawsuits.

Firearm Manufacturer

On rare occasions, a hunting accident might result from a defective weapon. If that is the case, the manufacturer could be held liable under product liability law. However, these cases are usually harder to prove and require meticulous documentation and expert testimony.

Why Hiring an Attorney is Important After a Hunting Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in a hunting accident in Oklahoma, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City could be the most important decision you make. Here is why an attorney’s legal expertise is crucial:

• Navigating Insurance Companies: Insurance companies have skilled lawyers whose job is to minimize payouts. A skilled attorney will know how to negotiate with these lawyers effectively.
• Knowledge of Regulations: Oklahoma’s regulations governing licensing, hunting safety, and the discharge of a firearm are complex. An Oklahoma City personal injury attorney will know how these laws might affect your case.
• Complexity of Facts: Establishing the facts can be complex and may require the help of experts in ballistics or hunting accidents. An attorney can help you gather and interpret this evidence to support your claim.
• Apportioning Fault: If you are partially at fault for an accident in Oklahoma, your damages might be reduced proportionally. An attorney can argue effectively on your behalf to minimize your share of fault for the accident.
• Settlement vs. Trial: Oklahoma courts often encourage settlements over lengthy court battles. By working with an experienced personal injury attorney, Oklahoma City hunting accident victims can know if it is more advantageous to accept a settlement or to take their case to trial.

Contact an Oklahoma City Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Hunting Accident Case

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we offer a nuanced understanding of the complex legal landscape involved in hunting accident cases, ensuring that you navigate the insurance pitfalls and factual complexities with expertise. Whether it is negotiating with shrewd insurance agents or representing you in court, the expertise of an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney from our law firm could be the difference between recovering substantial compensation and dealing with financial hardship. Contact us today for a free consultation.