Whether enjoyed at home or at a professional display, fireworks are a favorite part of holiday celebrations for many Americans, and a 4th of July tradition. On the flip side, fireworks accidents inure thousands and cause thousands of fires each year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) fireworks were involved in about 9,100 injuries requiring emergency room treatment in the U.S. in 2018. If you or someone you love has been injured by fireworks, please talk to an experienced burn injury attorney today.
Parts of the Body Most Often Injured in Fireworks Accidents
The majority of fireworks injuries are burn injuries, although amputations, vision loss and hearing damage, along with other types of injuries can occur. Areas of the body that are most commonly affected by fireworks accidents include:
- Fingers
- Eyes
- Hands
- Head
- Face
- Ears
- Legs
Fireworks accident injuries can be very severe and can include loss of limbs and permanent visions loss. The areas of the body mentioned above are those directly affected by fireworks accidents. When fireworks cause fires, injuries can easily include burns to any and all parts of the body, respiratory damage, and death.
Causes of Fireworks Accidents and Injuries
Fireworks accidents can be the result of improper use of fireworks, interference by another party, inadequate supervision of the fireworks or children in the vicinity of fireworks, or the fireworks being defective. The person using the fireworks, people observing, and other people nearby can be harmed, and property damage or total destruction may occur. Some common causes of fireworks accidents include:
- Holding onto a firework after it is lit
- Trying to re-light a firework that is already lit
- Failing to supervise children, often when using sparklers
- Failure to use safety goggles when lighting a sparkler
- Standing too close to any type of pyrotechnics while being lit or after they are lit
- Pointing or throwing fireworks at another person, intentionally or accidentally
- Defective fireworks
If you have been hurt in a fireworks accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries whether you were attending a professional event or were injured at home or at someone else’s home. Liability may rest with the person or entity responsible for the fireworks use or display, with the manufacturer or seller of defective fireworks, or with another party involved in causing or permitting the accident. If your injuries occurred in Vermont or New Hampshire, the Cole Law Office can help. Call us at (800) 909-LAWS (5297) or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.