Over the course of the last week or so social media and news outlets have erupted with news about the recently released Pokémon Go game. In the mobile game, which is available for both iPhone as well as Android, players virtually launch “Poké Balls” at Pokémon creatures. The phones enable the game to track both a player’s location as well as the amount of time it takes to get all of them. The creatures available to catch vary depending on the player’s location.
Though the game has yet to be released in all countries, in roughly a week, it was downloaded approximately 7.5 million times. While the popularity of the game is an indication of how many people enjoy the activity, there are some concerns about the safety of players. Specifically, the concern involves the distraction the game poses to players as they walk or drive. In the United States and The Netherlands, there have been reports of players wandering onto railroad tracks or into traffic. Accordingly, ahead of its release in Canada, Toronto police issued a warning to would-be players to pay attention to their surroundings while playing. Whether the player is walking, driving or engaging in other activities, doing so could prevent situations in which the players or others are injured.
If you, a friend or a family member are victims of someone’s negligence and suffering from injuries and losses, it may be wise to speak to a lawyer to learn about your rights and what steps you should be taking in order to protect your rights for the future.
