Lightning: A Deadly Hazard

Lightning strikes are a hazard for both golfers and golf courses. Living in Florida, we are at daily risk from lightning strikes. Lightning poses such a threat to golfers that it is estimated that up to half of all lightning fatalities are golfers.

Upon learning of this, the National Golf Foundation conducted a survey of member-based golf clubs to determine the level of awareness of lightning’s hazards. Half of the surveyed clubs maintained a lightning warning system of some sort at the time of the survey. One third of the surveyed clubs had a course evacuation policy in place.

Because lightning is a function of weather, it is typically seen as an Act of God. This means that in cases of loss due solely to lightning there is not a legal course for recovery in court. While this is true, injuries and loss from lightning are rarely due to lightning alone, particularly when on a golf course. There are frequently other factors that contribute to the tragedy.

“Other Factors” include the victim’s failure to appreciate the danger of lightning; the victim’s failure to seek and to take proper cover; and the failure of the golf course to provide adequate cover. While two of these things may be seen as the fault of the victim, the third is the course’s responsibility.

It is wrong to assume that all deaths, injuries, and damages caused by lightning are “no one’s fault.” If you have been injured on a golf course due to someone’s error, contact a Wausau personal injury lawyer from Habush, Habush, & Rottier at 715-387-4242.