A Michigan fireworks injury lawyer can help if you or someone you care about suffered injuries from an exploding device. While fireworks are festive and fun ways to celebrate a holiday, they are unfortunately dangerous products. The mishandling of a firework—or the safe handling of a defective one—might result in severe burns, property damage, and other losses.
If the negligence of a manufacturer or distributor caused your injuries, you may have grounds to file a civil claim for compensation. You can also sue a person who was negligent in setting off the device or from failing to supervise minor children. By working with a dedicated personal injury attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. you can get the compensation you deserve.
- What are the Reasons for Fireworks Injuries?
- Firework Safety Tips
- Legal Options after a Fireworks Injury
- How a Michigan Fireworks Injury Attorney Might Help
Types of Fireworks
There are many different types of fireworks ranging from big to small, ones that explode in the air, and some that stay on the ground. However, any may cause a serious burn injury or other severe damage. Some of the most common fireworks that cause injuries include:
- Sparklers
- Reloadable shells
- Small firecrackers
- Roman candles
- Bottle rockets
- Novelties
- Multiple tubes
- Fountains
- Public display fireworks
No matter the types of fireworks being used, injuries may happen as the result of an accident or defective product. Therefore, it is important to contact a skilled Michigan fireworks injury lawyer to discuss how an injury occurred.
Reasons for Firework Injuries
Due to the variety of firecrackers and sparklers on the market, accidents involving these items can result in serious injuries and even death. Often, these incidents are due to a person:
- Failing to supervise children
- Using items that were defective when made and sold
- Not using safety goggles when igniting a sparkler
- Standing too close to any type of pyrotechnics after they are lit
- Pointing or throwing bottle rockets at another person
- Holding onto a firework after it is lit
- Trying to re-light a firecracker that is already lit
The line chart below shows the estimated number of injuries from fireworks in the United States from 2003-2018. There was a sharp decline in reported injuries in 2018 following a steady increasing trend in injuries from 2008-2017.
- 2003: 9,300
- 2004: 9,500
- 2005: 10,800
- 2006: 9,200
- 2007: 9,800
- 2008: 7,000
- 2009: 8,800
- 2010: 8,600
- 2011: 9,600
- 2012: 8,700
- 2013: 11,400
- 2014: 10,500
- 2015: 11,900
- 2016: 11,100
- 2017: 12,900
- 2018: 9,100
Firework Safety Tips
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks-related injuries apply to a wide range of people. Statistics show that 68 percent of males were injured from firecrackers, sparklers, bottle rockets, novelty devices, Roman candles, and reloadable shells compared to 32 percent of females injured at public displays.
The pie chart below shows the distribution of injuries to body parts from fireworks in the United States in 2018. More than half of all injuries are experienced in the leg and hand/finger regions. One in five injuries involves the eyes.
Unfortunately, children who suffer burn injuries resulting from these items may face permanent scarring, as well as psychological trauma. Therefore, there are certain precautions each individual can take to try to prevent injuries and accidents while around fireworks. These safety tips include:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
- Never try to re-light or pick up sparklers that have not ignited fully
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps
- Light any type of pyrotechnic one at a time, then move back quickly
- Avoid buying any item that is packaged in brown paper, because this is often a sign that they were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers
- Always have an adult supervise
- Never point or throw sparklers at another person
- Never carry roman candles in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers
- After fireworks complete burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire
Legal Options after a Fireworks Injury
Oftentimes, when a person suffers burn injuries or other trauma from a firework, it is due to the negligence of another person or a person being careless in the lighting and use of the device. When this happens, the injured individual has legal rights and might be able to sue the at-fault individual for their losses.
In addition to an individual’s negligence, another common reason for injuries might be due to defective fireworks. When this is the case, a manufacturer or distributor might be deemed legally liable. Because of these nuances, it is important for a person suffering from firework injuries to reach out to a Michigan fireworks injury lawyer who is familiar with these types of claims.
Fireworks Injury Settlement Example
A 30-year-old man purchased fireworks from a discount store in West Michigan. He brought them to a Fourth of July celebration and began to light them. One firework began to malfunction and he lifted the canister to prevent harm to party goers. Unfortunately, the device exploded causing serious and permanent injuries to his arm and hand.
He sued the fireworks manufacturer and seller contending the device was defective. Prior to trial, the insurance companies paid a settlement of $ 2,000,000 to compensate the victim.
How a Michigan Fireworks Injury Attorney Might Help
Depending on how your injury resulted in a firework accident, you and your family may have legal rights to file a lawsuit. Compensation in these cases may include the pain and suffering from the burn injury, the scars and disfigurements caused by the burn, and the medical expenses relating to treating the injuries. Furthermore, missed time at work or a decreased earning capacity may also be included in a claim.
At the law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. our Michigan firework injury lawyers handle lawsuits for clients who have suffered injuries or were killed in these kinds of accidents. To begin discussing a claim today, call a legal professional now. We charge no legal fees unless you win a settlement.
We want to thank Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. for all of your support and advice in our daughter’s case. We are very happy the whole process is over and it ended well. Maia says thank you!
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