A young man in Sacramento suffered a serious heart injury after being shot by a friend with a BB gun. Facing mounting medical bills and lost income, he contacted GJEL Accident Attorneys, who specialize in serious personal injury cases. Their investigation led to the insurance company taking full responsibility, and the client received a $500,000 settlement. If you’ve suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact GJEL to understand your options.
About the Accident
On May 29, 2021, our client was at a friend’s house in Sacramento County, California, when his friend, fooling around and assuming the BB gun was empty, shot our client. The BB pierced our client’s skin and heart, causing serious injuries, loss of work, and large medical bills, leaving our client in a state of uncertainty.
This was an unfortunate accident that originated from a misunderstanding on the part of his friend. The misunderstanding is that the friend thought that the BB gun was unloaded and was “fooling around.” After the accident, our client suffered heart problems and other problems that occurred because of the heart problems.
Our client was taken to Mercy San Juan Hospital, where he underwent surgery to have the BB removed from his heart. This was a major surgery. The insurance company covered the parents and the young man who fired the BB under their homeowner’s policy.
Case Facts
Our client needed ongoing medical treatment. The insurance company began an investigation with the boy’s parents.
Meanwhile, our client missed significant work and ran up large medical bills. Based on this, he reached out to GJEL Accident Attorneys to see if he was entitled to compensation and to have his questions answered. He wanted to know:
- Who is responsible for my medical bills?
- How will I pay these bills and the loss of work?
- What if I have permanent lifelong damage to my body?
The staff at GJEL were able to evaluate the case quickly over the phone, and attorney Andrew Gillin not only evaluated the case but also provided the young man with his best estimate of how it might turn out.
Based on the serious injuries from this accident and the mounting medical bills, our client decided to retain GJEL Accident Attorneys to help get his life back on track after this tragic accident.
The staff at GJEL started a full investigation, which included analyzing the Sheriff’s Department Report, the medical report, and everyone involved’s statements. Ultimately, the insurance company took full responsibility and settled this matter for $500,000.
Attorney Jim Larsen helped our client through this difficult time. This case took approximately eleven months to resolve.
| Insurance Company Names: | |
| Police Report | Sacramento County Sheriff’s Dept. |
| Vehicle Types | |
| Accident Locations: | |
| Hospitals and Medical Centers Visited | Mercy San Juan, Acute Care Surgery Medical Group, Capitol Interventional Cardiology, Therapy, Dignity Health, CardioVasculas Associates, Banner Heart Hospital, |
| Types of Injuries (Specific as possible) | Gunshot wound to chest, surgery, anxiety, PTSD |
The case of the young man injured by a BB gun underscores the unexpected and severe consequences that can arise from negligent actions. What began as a friend “fooling around” resulted in a life-threatening injury, significant medical expenses, and considerable emotional distress for the victim. This situation highlights the crucial role experienced personal injury attorneys play in advocating for those who have suffered serious harm due to the carelessness of others.
In this case, the successful resolution achieved by GJEL Accident Attorneys demonstrates their expertise in handling complex injury claims. By conducting a thorough investigation and effectively communicating with the insurance company, they secured a substantial $500,000 settlement for their client. This outcome provided financial relief to cover medical bills and lost wages and offered a pathway for the young man to begin rebuilding his life after a traumatic experience.
Ultimately, this narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking legal counsel when faced with the aftermath of a serious accident. For individuals in similar situations, understanding their rights and having dedicated advocates like the attorneys at GJEL can make a significant difference in achieving a just and equitable resolution, allowing them to focus on healing and moving forward.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.