Massachusetts Drone Injury Lawyers

Drones, which originated as technology that allowed for safe U.S. surveillance in high conflict areas like Afghanistan, have also become a popular new toy for people of all ages. Drones can be both useful and fun to fly, but unfortunately, they also have the ability to cause serious injury. Here’s what you need to know about drones and where to get help if you or a loved one were the victim of drone injuries.

Drone Facts & Statistics

Whether or not you’re familiar with drones, you may not be aware of these interesting drone facts:

• Drones available to purchase from department stores or malls are called UAV’s, or “unmanned aerial vehicles”
• A drone can cost between $50 to $1,500 depending on the level of technology used
• All national parks have banned drones from flying over their property lines
• Drones can fly as high as 400+ feet
• Drones can fly at speeds over 140 mph

Uses for Drones

Drones can be used for a wide variety of personal and commercial activities, including but not limited to:

• Flying for fun, much like one might fly a kite or a remote-controlled airplane
• Real estate photography, to capture aerial photos of large estates
• Aircraft inspections, to ensure that all aspects of an aircraft are in working order before flights
• The study of volcanoes and lava lakes in places where researchers were previously unable to reach due to heat and danger
• Construction surveillance to ensure a construction project is proceeding according to plan
• Mining surveillance to identify problems that could be dangerous for miners or to expose valuable minerals
• Search and rescue missions, to enable multiple people to search far and wide for missing children and adults
• Wedding photography and videography, allowing couples to capture photos and videos from angles that a traditional photographer may not be able to get
• Media coverage for sporting events, marathons and/or outdoor events

How Drones Can Injure

Although drones have many uses, simply put, they’re large, heavy flying machines that, like any other machine, have the ability to malfunction or be operated improperly. A drone that isn’t operated properly or malfunctions in midair can come hurtling down and if it hits one or more people, it could cause serious injury. Whirling blades can cause cuts and lacerations, while an impact can cause head injury, broken bones, and in rare cases, even death.

Imagine being a “crash landing pad” for a heavy piece of flying machinery coming at you at 140+ mph from over 400 feet. Naturally, individuals in this scenario have the potential to suffer severe injuries, many of which can cause paralysis and even disfiguration. In fact, Mazow | McCullough, PC has represented and continues to represent individuals who have suffered severe, permanent injuries due to the negligence of drone owners and operators.

Types of Drone Injuries

Damages Incurred by a Drone Injury

There are many damages that can be associated with a drone injury. Much like any other serious injury that requires hospitalization and extensive care, a drone injury can result in the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses related to the injury, both past and future, to include hospital bills, surgical costs, physical therapy, medications, and any other medical care needed by the victim as a result of the injury
• Lost wages incurred as a result of being out of work due to injuries sustained
• Emotional trauma, pain, and suffering that arises from being suddenly struck out of nowhere by a malfunctioning drone
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement due to the propeller blades and/or weight of the drone
• Funeral expenses if the drone incident resulted in a death

Common Cases Involving Drone Injuries

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drone Injury?

Like with any injury, it’s important to determine who the at-fault party is before a lawsuit can be brought forward to hold that person or entity legally liable for the damages caused by the drone. Examples of who may be liable in a drone injury case include but are not limited to:

• The operator of the drone, especially if he or she was flying a drone while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or neglected to keep the drone in good operating condition
• The designer or manufacturer of the drone, if the drone was found to be faulty or defective
• The seller of the drone, if the drone did not include proper use and safety warnings on the outside of the box or inside with the instructions for use
• The owner of the drone, if they do not properly instruct the user on how to safely operate the drone and/or if the owner allows the drone to be operated by someone who is not fit to do so
• The property owner of where the incident occurs, if the property owner allowed the drone to be used or operated on the property when it was not safe to do so

How Do I Receive Compensation For My Injury?

Protect Yourself with a No-Fly Zone

Fortunately, there are now ways to protect yourself against drones both invading your privacy and increasing your risk for injury. NoFlyZone.org is a website that allows you to enter in your address and personal information and creates a “no fly zone” around your property that drone operators will see when they check for areas that are safe and acceptable to fly their drone in.

While there are no current requirements to check the no-fly zone database by drone operators, getting your property on the no-fly zone list is a good first step to protecting your privacy and yourself and your loved ones from injury.

How to Get Help After a Drone Injury

If you or a loved one were hurt by a drone, whether the injuries were minor or severe, you may be entitled to compensation to cover damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

At Mazow | McCullough, P.C., we have the skills and resources to help you determine who may be at fault for your injuries and bring a claim forward for financial restitution. We have experience with drones, drone technology, and drone lawsuits and can zealously represent you in a drone injury case. Contact us today for a consultation by e-mail or call us toll free at (855) 693-9084 or locally at (978) 744-8000.