In Wisconsin, a turkey hunting trip reportedly ended with serious injuries to a hunter and the hunter’s seven-year-old son. Reports state that Deputy James Lehman’s three-year-old daughter accidentally discharged a firearm, striking both people. The available report says the boy sustained a gunshot wound to the head. It also describes serious injuries to the hunter and his son, but it does not provide their names or further medical information. Deputy James Lehman faces felony charges, according to the report. The facts surrounding the shooting and any legal responsibility will be determined through the appropriate investigations and proceedings. What Makes This Incident Different This reported incident involves a firearm during a hunting trip and injuries to both an adult hunter and a young child. It also involves a three-year-old child who reportedly discharged the firearm. Those circumstances can make a careful, fact-based investigation especially important. A criminal charge is a serious development, but it does not itself establish civil responsibility for injuries. Criminal and civil matters serve different purposes, may follow different procedures, and can involve different standards of proof. The evidence will determine what happened, who had particular responsibilities, and whether an injured person or family may have a civil claim. The report identifies Wisconsin as the location, but it does not specify the precise place where the shooting occurred or provide a fuller account of the events immediately before the gun discharged. Those details may matter to any investigation. Questions Investigators May Examine Investigators may examine how the firearm came to be accessible to a three-year-old child and what occurred before it discharged. They may ask whether safety measures, handling practices, or supervision were in place at the time. The evidence will determine the answers. They may also consider questions such as: - Whether accounts from the people present and other witnesses help establish the sequence of events; - Whether the firearm’s condition and operation can be evaluated; - Whether photographs, physical evidence, or scene documentation clarify where each person was located; - Whether any communications or records help identify who organized or participated in the hunting trip; and - Whether medical evidence documents the nature and extent of the injuries. These are investigation questions, not conclusions about fault. A complete review should distinguish verified evidence from assumptions made in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved Prompt preservation can be important after a shooting because physical evidence, recollections, and electronic information may become harder to obtain over time. Depending on the circumstances, potentially relevant material may include: - The firearm and any related safety equipment, stored and handled only through appropriate law-enforcement and legal channels; - Photographs, measurements, diagrams, and other documentation of the location; - Clothing and personal items that may contain physical evidence; - Emergency-response, law-enforcement, and investigative records that may exist; - Medical records, diagnostic images, treatment bills, and documentation of future care needs; - Witness names, contact information, and timely written accounts of what they observed; - Messages, calls, photographs, or videos that may relate to the trip or events before the shooting; and - Records that may help establish the ownership, storage, maintenance, or handling history of the firearm, if such records exist. Families should avoid altering or disposing of potentially relevant items. A lawyer can help seek preservation without interfering with a criminal or official investigation. What Families Should Know People seriously injured in Wisconsin may have options to pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses recognized by law. A parent or guardian may need to protect a child’s interests, and a child’s long-term medical needs can require particularly careful evaluation. Wisconsin civil claims are subject to deadlines, and the applicable deadline can depend on the claim and the parties involved. Because the report identifies a deputy, additional legal questions or notice requirements could apply if a potential claim involves a public employee or governmental entity. That depends on the facts, the legal relationship involved, and Wisconsin law. Families do not need to wait for every question in a criminal matter to be resolved before learning about their civil options. However, they should be cautious when dealing with insurers or signing documents while the full medical and factual picture remains unclear. An attorney can explain the process and coordinate evidence-preservation efforts while respecting the ongoing investigation. How Dunk Law Can Help Dunk Law can review the available facts after a serious Wisconsin shooting injury, help identify evidence that should be preserved, and explain potential civil claims in clear terms. Our team can also assess the practical issues that arise when a child has been seriously hurt, including the need to document medical care and future losses. If you or your family is dealing with serious injuries from an accidental shooting or another traumatic incident in Wisconsin, contact Dunk Law for a confidential case review. We can help you understand your options without making promises about the outcome. Related Dunk Law Resources - All practice areas This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.