CONCORD, N.H. — In a significant legal development, 10 additional plaintiffs have initiated lawsuits against firearm manufacturer Sig Sauer, raising concerns over the alleged defects in the P320 pistol. This action follows a recent Federal court decision in New Hampshire where Sig Sauer was ordered to pay $2.35 million for similar claims.
Attorneys from the law firm Saltz Mongeluzi Bendesky, representing the plaintiffs, have filed these lawsuits spotlighting the grave risks posed by the weapon which, according to the complaints, has a propensity to discharge inadvertently. Among the new plaintiffs, five are law enforcement officers, some of whom have experienced accidental shootings due to what is characterized as the firearm’s defective design.
The P320 model, unique in its pre-cocked, striker-fired mechanism, lacks external safety features that are common in similar firearms, which the plaintiffs’ legal team argues contributes to its dangerousness. The firm has cited multiple instances where the pistol discharged while holstered and untouched, suggesting a fundamental flaw in its design.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Robert W. Zimmerman underscored the urgency of their claims, stating that the weapon’s design significantly diverges from industry standards and poses immediate risks not only to users but also to the public at large. He expressed the firm’s commitment to pursuing justice for those affected and holding Sig Sauer accountable.
Litigator Larry Bendesky elaborated on the personal impact on the plaintiffs, many of whom have suffered severe, life-altering injuries. These incidents, he noted, deeply undermine trust in the safety of the P320 model and the manufacturer itself.
Among those affected are law enforcement officers who encountered mishaps during routine handling of their service weapons. Officer Jorge Luis Muñoz-Palacios of the Puerto Rico Police, for example, needed surgery for a gunshot wound and second-degree burns after his holstered P320 discharged. Similar incidents have befallen Officer Loudres Ortiz and Agent Bernardino Nido, highlighting a pattern of risk that transcends individual cases.
The civilian plaintiffs have similarly harrowing stories, with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds requiring intricate surgeries to permanent damage and chronic pain. These accounts add a deeply personal dimension to the legal challenges facing Sig Sauer.
As the number of cases against Sig Sauer mounts, with over 65 such suits filed, the overarching narrative is one of a manufacturer facing serious allegations regarding the safety and reliability of a key product line. The P320’s track record, marred by incidents of unintentional discharge, has prompted calls for its recall and redesign.
The legal team, along with affected individuals and safety advocates, continues to gather evidence and testimony that they believe underscores the need for immediate action to address the dangers posed by these firearms. As these cases proceed, they are not only setting the stage for crucial judicial scrutiny but are also fostering a broader public dialogue about consumer safety and corporate accountability in the firearms industry.
Contacts for the case have pointed to a comprehensive repository of information and legal documents available for public review, signaling ongoing efforts to inform and engage stakeholders on all sides of this pressing issue. As this litigation unfolds, it remains a focal point in the broader conversation about gun safety and manufacturer responsibility.