Lightning affects nearly 5,000 Americans each year. In many cases, the individuals who are struck put themselves in dangerous situations when storms arise. This may increase their risks of becoming victims. Fortunately, there are measures that individuals can take to reduce their risks:

• When a storm arises, always go inside. Individuals who are indoors or, at the very least, under some sort of shelter, are much less likely to be struck by lightning than those who are out in the open.
• Stay away from metal structures. As with any other form of electricity, metal is a good conductor of lightning and may easily transfer the electricity to a nearby individual.
• Avoid large bodies of water. Water tends to attract electricity, so individuals who are near large bodies of water may be more likely to suffer a strike.

While observing these safety measures may help an individual stay safe in the event of a storm, they are not always guaranteed to work. Ultimately, safety depends on the severity of the storm and the conditions of the shelter in which an individual guards himself or herself.

Unfortunately, some individuals may find that when they are on other people's properties, observing these safety measures are not possible. This is especially true on golf courses, where there tends to be little shelter, and each player holds metal clubs that may attract lightning.

When an individual does suffer a lightning strike on another person's property, the victim may be entitled to financial compensation from the property owner. This is possible because of the precedent of premises liability, which may make property owners accountable when their guests suffer injuries.