Celebrating Our Independence: You May Be Entitled to Compensation if You Sustain Firework-Related Injuries

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are approximately 11,000 fireworks-related injuries in the United States each year. Of these injuries, approximately two-thirds occur in a one-month period around July 4th. In the words of the CPSC, “On average, 250 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.”

Most fireworks-related injuries – approximately 69 percent – involve burns. The CPSC’s data also indicate that the body parts most frequently injured in fireworks accidents are:

• Hands and fingers – 33 percent
• Head, face and ears – 28 percent
• Legs – 18 percent
• Torso – 12 percent
• Eyes – Nine percent
• Arms – Eight percent

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that sparklers are the leading cause of fireworks-related injuries. Illegal firecrackers come in second. Public displays account for approximately six percent of all injuries, while other types of consumer fireworks are responsible for about half of all fireworks accidents.

What are Your Rights After a Fireworks Accident in Denver, CO?

What are your rights if you are injured in a fireworks accident on Independence Day (or in the days leading up to or following the holiday)? Under Colorado law, your rights are similar to those in any other type of accident: If someone else’s negligence or a product defect led to your injuries, you are entitled to financial compensation for all of your injury-related losses.

The following are all common causes of fireworks accidents for which financial compensation may be available:

1. Dangerous Use of Fireworks

From lighting too many fireworks at once to setting off fireworks in crowded areas, recklessness, carelessness and lack of forethought are among the leading causes of fireworks accidents. While fireworks are a fun way to celebrate, they also need to be handled with care.

2. Using Fireworks While Intoxicated

Many people choose to celebrate Independence Day with alcohol. While there is nothing wrong with celebrating responsibly, alcohol and fireworks do not mix. The cognitive, visual and manual impairments that make it dangerous to drink and drive also make it dangerous to handle fireworks while intoxicated.

3. Inadequate Child Supervision

When parents provide their children with fireworks, they have an obligation to ensure that their children use fireworks safely. Inadequate supervision is a form of negligence, and it allows accident victims to hold parents legally responsible when their children cause accident-related injuries.

4. Inadequate Security or Safety Precautions

When setting off public firework displays, municipalities and the companies they hire to put on a show must take adequate security and safety measures to protect observers from the risk of injury.

5. Defective Fireworks

Defective fireworks can cause severe injuries including burns, lacerations, eye and ear damage, and loss of limbs. If you were injured by a defective firework, you may have a strict liability claim against the firework manufacturer.

Speak With a Denver Personal Injury Lawyer for Free

Were you or a loved one injured in a fireworks-related accident in Denver, CO? If so, the personal injury lawyers at Levine Law can help you seek just compensation. To discuss your case in confidence, please call  303-333-8000  or request a free consultation online today.