Once a tool limited to high-tech military operations, drones are now available in stores everywhere and are marketed to practically all age groups. Alameda residents use them for hobbies ranging from racing to photography, and even event-planning companies use them for crowd photography. However, one such company recently settled a lawsuit that highlights the danger of brain injury that drones can pose.
The company was putting on an outdoor party at a California fraternity house. They had contracted with a drone operator to take aerial pictures of the crowd. One guest had been at the party for around 20 minutes when a drone crashed into her head, knocking her into a friend who happened to catch her. She was bleeding profusely from the head and an ambulance had to take her to the hospital.
The victim suffered injuries to her left eye as well as her head. She has had to consult with a plastic surgeon regarding her forehead scarring. Perhaps most concerning, she has continued to suffer from headaches since the 2015 accident and an inability to concentrate that has impaired her academic performance. The terms of the victim’s recent settlement with the event company were not disclosed.
When head and brain injury victims seek compensation in this way, it is important to consider the full scope of the injury and the potentially long-term effects. Cognitive issues, memory loss and other issues may only become apparent over time. Settling quickly for a sum that doesn’t take these into account can come back to haunt victims and their families later.
It doesn’t matter whether a victim was injured in a relatively rare set of circumstances like the above or in a car accident, slip and fall, or sports accident. A legal professional can help brain injury victims pursue full compensation for their losses in such an accident.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune, “Woman who was hit in head by drone settles lawsuit with USC frat, event-planning company,” April 27, 2018