At the Law Office of Adam Sorrells, we see firsthand how a single moment of negligence can alter someone’s life. Recently, we represented a client who suffered serious injuries while simply standing on her front porch. This case highlighted not only the devastating consequences of unsafe firearm use, but also the important role of law in achieving justice.
The Incident
Our client was enjoying a quiet evening at home when a stray bullet struck her in the lower leg. The impact caused her to fall, fracturing her shoulder against the porch wall. She was rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment.
Challenge 1: Finding the Source of the Gunfire
The shooting occurred in a rural area with 10-acre lots. While that may seem like plenty of space, such areas are not safe for target practice. For perspective: a 5.56 rifle bullet can travel 2–2.5 miles under certain conditions. After careful investigation and coordination with authorities, we traced the gunfire to a nearby family gathering. Multiple people had been shooting without any safe backstop, in direct violation of the universal firearm safety rule to know your target and what lies beyond it.
Challenge 2: Determining Who Fired the Shot
With eight family members shooting, the question became: Who fired the dangerous round? California law provides guidance here. In the landmark case of Summers v. Tice (33 Cal.2d 80), two hunters fired simultaneously, injuring another hunter. Because it was impossible to determine whose shot caused the harm, the court held that unless one shooter could prove it wasn’t them, both would be presumed responsible. We successfully applied this principle to hold multiple shooters accountable.
Challenge 3: Proving the Full Extent of Injuries
We also worked closely with medical experts to document the seriousness of our client’s gunshot wound and fractured shoulder. Understanding the long-term impact of these injuries was essential to ensure fair compensation.
Resolution
Despite the challenges, our persistence paid off. The case recently settled for all available insurance policy limits. Our client now has the resources she needs to move forward, and justice was served.
This case is a powerful reminder of the importance of safety — especially when handling firearms — and of the law’s ability to provide justice in complex situations. At the Law Office of Adam Sorrells, we are proud to stand up for injury victims and their families.
Law Office of Adam Sorrells
60 Independence Circle, Suite 100
530-893-9900
Chico, CA 95973
www.chicopersonalinjury.com
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