Hunter’s Tree Stands Post Risk of Serious Injury
At the time of this writing on November 16, 2014, eight hunting enthusiasts have already been injured in Indiana since deer season opened on October 1st. Statistics show that tree stand, also known as deer stand injuries are responsible for the most common type of hunting accidents injuries. Accidental shootings are the second most common hunting injury. National studies show that 10-30% of hunters posturing in a tree stand will have an incident during their hunting career. Due to the high placement of the stand, most falls result in serious injuries and sometimes death.
As interest in sport hunting increases, so does the use of tree stands
Over 1 million tree stands are manufactured annually and this number increases every year with the renewed interest in hunting for sport. States with longer hunting seasons, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio, experience a greater number of serious injuries and deaths.
Although safety is paramount to preventing injuries, many individuals have never taken any form of tree education classes. Tree education classes are available for hunters of all ages.
Factors contributing to injuries
In general, tree stands are small in design and hunters have little room for mistakes. Statistics show that most individuals who fall from the temporary stands seldom wear any form of safety belts. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommends all hunters wear a full body harness which is attached to the tree as soon as the hunter begins their climb.
Cold air, darkness and lack of sleep are also contributing factors to individuals falling from tree stands. The number of injuries can be reduced with proper education and proper warnings about the dangers associated with tree stands.
Attorney Charlie Ward has the knowledge and experience to get you the compensation you deserve, bringing your personal injury claim to a successful conclusion. If you or someone you know needs help with an injury claim, call Charlie at 317-639-9501 today.
