Many video hosting channels are filled with prank videos where pranksters amuse their audiences by making random strangers the butt of a joke. However, some pranks can go too far and may even lead to injuries. Pranks can lead to civil damages and may even lead to criminal prosecution.

Physical Injury Caused by Pranks

The most obvious form of damages is when the prank actually injures the other party. For example, you may trip, fall, and injure yourself. Or, the prank might involve a loud noise that causes hearing damage. You would then be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Traumatization

Not all damages are physical. You may have been traumatized and now suffer from a phobia as a result of a prank. For example, you may have encountered what you believed was a serial killer on an elevator and you are now afraid to ride elevators. 

Proving emotional distress is very challenging, however, and you will probably need help from a personal injury attorney. The actions must be considered outrageous and extreme. You must also prove that you are suffering from emotional distress that is debilitating. You may deserve compensation for therapy and lost wages.

Workers' Compensation

Pranks are sometimes carried out at work. For workers' compensation to come into play, the actions must not have been intentional and you must not have been engaging in horseplay. If the coworker was performing a prank and did not expect it to injure you, the lack of intentionality can lead to you being eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

Criminal Pranks

Pranks are not usually considered criminal because the intention is only to scare or surprise the other party. For something to be a crime, the state of mind is important. However, if the prank involves the commission of a crime that is carried out deliberately, the police might get involved. 

For example, if the prankster trespassed on your property, committed vandalism, stalked you, falsely imprisoned you, or impersonated a police officer, all of these actions are illegal and can lead to criminal charges. 

However, even if the prankster goes to jail, you may still be able to seek compensation for your injuries. Talk to a personal injury lawyer about filing a lawsuit. If the criminal prankster has any assets, you may be able to have them liquidated to pay for any expenses related to the prank.