Python in Pet Store Sinks Teeth in Customer’s Face and Eye
When people think of the prospect of getting injured in a store, they most likely think of slipping and falling on something that has spilled on the floor. While slipping and falling is a common way in which people are injured in stores, restaurants, offices, and other public settings, there is a myriad of other causes of injuries in these types of locations. A Las Vegas man’s visit to a pet store underscored this reality in a dramatic way.
Michael Zorki was a customer at Exotic Pets Las Vegas. While at the store, Zorki was checking out what was available in the way of snakes and other reptiles. He expressed an interest in a python to a store staff member. As he did so, the store employee used what is known as a snake hook to remove the python from its cage.
Zorki stood near the cage as the store employee removed the reptile from its cage. The moment the python was out of its cage, the snake lunged at Zorki and immediately bit the customer. The python sunk its fangs into Zorki’s cheek and eye.
The python would not release its clamp on the customer for some time. After a while, store employees were able to free Zorki from the snake’s clamp. The man sustained significant damage as a result of the snake attack.
Zorki facial lacerations may result in permanent scarring. In addition, the fang bite into the man’s eyes also caused permanent damage. The victim’s vision has been impaired to some degree as a result of the snake attack. He is going to require surgery on his eye as a means of attempting to correct at least some of the vision issues. There is no guarantee that the vision issue caused by the snake attack can be corrected. This may have resulted in a permanent vision impairment.
A number of issues have been raised regarding whether the pet store properly protected its customers from living creatures in the store like the python that injured the customer. The pet store is legally required to take reasonable steps to protect its customers from injuries.
One area being focused on is whether or not the store employee removed the snake from its cage in a safe manner with the customer standing directly in the area. There has been discussion that the manner in which the snake was handled in front of the customer created a hazardous situation.
When it comes to the issue of whether or not a store, restaurant, office, or other public venue legally is responsible for injuries sustained by a patron, the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the incident govern. Determining whether a person or entity has failed to honor its legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect another from harm depends on what that party did or did not.
In the final analysis, ascertaining whether a business of some sort or another individual is legally responsible for causing an accident and the resulting injuries can be a complicated process. This stark reality underscores the importance of seeking legal representation in the aftermath of an accident that resulted in injuries, damages, and losses.
If you or a member of your family have been injured in a store, restaurant, office, or some other public location, a personal injury lawyer from The Doan Law Firm can explain your options and evaluate your case. You can arrange a case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm personal injury lawyer by calling us at (800) 349-0000. Our personal injury hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, even on major holidays. There is no cost for an initial consultation and case evaluation.
The Doan Law Firm is a nationwide law practice with offices located from coast to coast. In addition to scheduling an appointment at any one of our offices, we can also arrange an appointment with a personal injury lawyer at your home, the hospital, or any other location. We can arrange a virtual consultation online as well.
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