Katy Perry may have said it best, “’Baby, you’re a firework.” Unfortunately, when fireworks aren’t the only thing getting shot off this Fourth of July, you may be in need of a personal injury attorney as the result of a firework accident. Fellerman & Ciarimboli is here for you.
Fourth of July Accidents
When it comes to Fourth of July accidents, we often think about drunk driving, boating accidents, etc. However, injuries resulting from a firework accident are more common than we realize, especially during the summer holidays.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 9,100 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2018. Of that number, nearly 5,600 occurred during the July Fourth holiday period.
The biggest offender of fireworks-related injuries? Firecrackers. Sparkers, while small and innocent enough, are incredibly dangerous for small children as the tips can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in burns down to the bone.
It is estimated that the most common injuries are sustained to the:
- Eyes
- Head, face, and ears
- Hands and fingers
- Arms
- Torso
- Legs
So how can you protect yourself from firework catastrophes? The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests the following:
- Do not allow young children to play with fireworks.
- Be aware of packaging; fireworks wrapped in brown paper often means they are for professional use only.
- Always have supervision.
- Be cautious when lightning fuses; do not allow a body part or clothing to drape over the fuse.
- Do not relight defective fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Do not point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or water source nearby in case of fire.
- Move away quickly from ignited fireworks.
- Douse burned fireworks in water to avoid fire.
- Review the state, local, and municipal laws to see if fireworks are permitted.
- Do not use fireworks while intoxicated.
I Was Injured While Someone Else Was Using Fireworks. Do I Have a Case? – Firework Accident Attorneys
If you were injured by fireworks as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may have a case. You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering from the injury, any disfiguration the injury may cause, and any related medical expenses. If you are or were employed before the accident, you may be entitled to a loss of wages.
It is important to act quickly. These celebrations start off as fun and lighthearted until someone gets hurt.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli: Firework Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one were injured from fireworks during this holiday weekend, do not hesitate to contact the personal injury team at Fellerman & Ciarimboli. There are safe ways to celebrate Independence Day, but when someone is negligent, resulting in injury or death to another individual, justice must be sought.
If you need a personal injury attorney for your injury from a firework accident, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli for a free consultation. Representing clients in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, we fight for the injured.