Firearm accessory failed, plaintiff was shot in the wrist – $2,000,000 Settlement

The case involved a firearm accessory known as a verti­cal fore grip. The grip failed while being used by the plaintiff on a bull pup, pump-action shotgun, causing the plaintiff’s left arm (grip in hand) to slide beyond the end of the shotgun’s Picatinny rail and in front of the barrel. The plaintiff sus­tained a shotgun blast to his wrist and hand area. The incident happened the very first time that the grip was used after being re­moved from its pack­age. Plaintiff’s counsel pursued theo­ries of breach of express and implied warranties. The case settled for the sum of the manufacturer’s coverage.

[16-T-078]

Type of action: Products Liability – Firearm fore grip
Injuries alleged: Shot gun blast to left wrist
Tried before: N/A
Name of mediator: Judge Michael Allen
Date resolved: April 14, 2016
Special damages: $804,000 in medical bills, which were covered by health insurance
Verdict or settlement: Settlement
Amount: $2,000,000.00
Attorneys for plaintiff: Michael G. Phelan and Jonathan M. Petty, Richmond
Plaintiff’s experts: Robert Jay Block, PE (Associated Metallurgists), Jonathan Isaacs, MD, Santosh Kale, MD
Defendant’s experts: Not disclosed at the time of the mediation