Thousands of people in the U.S. each year are injured while using fireworks. In most cases, these injuries occur because individuals do not understand the risks involved with fireworks, which include devastating burns, household fires, and even death.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured by a firework, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
Update: Pennsylvania Firm Recalls 37,000 Fireworks Ahead of Independence Day
July 1, 2019 – Keystone Fireworks has recalled “G-Force Artillery Shell Fireworks” for violating the federal regulatory requirements for the product, according to a recall notice issued Wednesday by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). The agency said that overloaded fireworks can cause greater than expected explosions, increasing the risk of severe burns and/or other injuries, including death.
Affected products were sold at Keystone Fireworks locations from November 2018 through May 2019, CPSC said. If you purchased any of the recalled fireworks, you should not use them, and either discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
What’s the Problem?
When individual consumers purchase fireworks and use them in uncontrolled settings, there is a greater risk of danger compared to large-scale public fireworks shows, where all in attendance are typically safe from injury. There are also cases where injuries occur because of a firework defect.
NFPA Fireworks Report
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fireworks report provides estimates of fires and associated losses caused by fireworks through 2013. According to the NFPA, in 2013 alone U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated 11,400 people for firework-related injuries.
It was estimated that 55% of those injuries were to the extremities (arms, hands and legs), while 38% were to the head. On the 4th of July, 2 out of 5 fires that are started are due to fireworks – more than any other single cause of fire in the U.S.
These statistics clearly illustrate the severe risks of using fireworks. When these risks are exacerbated by irresponsible use or excess alcohol consumption, serious injuries may occur.
Negligence Cause of Most Injuries
In most cases, large-scale public fireworks shows are safe and entertaining for all in attendance. However, when individuals purchase these devices, there is a much higher potential for danger. Potential risks include misuse by the user and failure to follow safe procedures. However, there is also a risk of potential defect of the fireworks.
Defective Fireworks
In cases where defective fireworks are found to be the cause of an injury, the path to compensation may be complicated. This is especially true because most fireworks are manufactured outside the U.S. However, it is not only the manufacturer that may be liable for the injury. A product liability lawsuit may also target the local distributor, regional distributor or importer.
Fireworks Accident Statistics
- Fireworks cause an average of nearly 18,500 reported fires per
year. - Sparklers account for more than one-quarter of emergency room
fireworks injuries. - Most injured body parts include hands and fingers (36%), eyes (19%), head, face and ears (19%), trunks (11%), and arms (5%).
TNT Fireworks Recalled for Exploding Prematurely
July 11, 2017 – American Promotional Events is recalling more than 36,000 units of TNT Red, White, & Blue Smoke fireworks amid reports that some of the devices exploded when lit. The recalled fireworks were sold at Walmart and Kroger stores in Illinois, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin, according to the CPSC.
Do I Have a Fireworks Injury Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in fireworks injury lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one has been injured in a fireworks accident, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.