While fireworks can be a source of joy and celebration, they should always be handled with extreme caution as they can lead to serious injuries. In this blog, we will discuss common injuries from firework accidents as well as what types of personal injury claims can arise from such accidents.
What Happens If a Firework Hits You?
Firework accidents, unfortunately, can result in a variety of injuries. The most common parts of the body injured by fireworks are hands and fingers—this is followed by injuries to the head, face, and ears.
Other common injuries sustained from firework accidents include:
Burn injuries. Burns are another common injury from fireworks, with minor ones causing redness and pain, more serious burns leading to blisters, and the most severe burns resulting in white leathery skin and damage beneath the skin.
Facial injuries. Facial injuries are also a significant concern when it comes to fireworks accidents. These can range from corneal abrasions, deposition of foreign bodies on the conjunctiva, cornea, and fornix, hyphema, to more severe injuries like anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy due to a face, neck, and chest blast injury.
Blood loss and internal injuries. Firework accidents can result in life-threatening conditions such as blood loss from damage to major arteries like the femoral artery
Personal Injury Claims & Fireworks
There are several types of personal injury claims that can arise from firework accidents, such as:
Premises liability claims. If a firework accident happens on someone else's property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. For example, if a homeowner hosts a party and sets off fireworks that injure a guest, the homeowner could potentially be held liable for the injuries. The key point here is proving that the homeowner was negligent, i.e., they failed to ensure the safety of their guests.
General negligence claims. Negligence claims result when someone's carelessness leads to another person's injury. For instance, if an individual ignites fireworks in a reckless manner or in disregard of safety regulations, causing injury to others, they could be sued for negligence.
Product liability claims. If a firework malfunctions due to a manufacturing defect and causes injury, the manufacturer or retailer might be held responsible under product liability law. Here, the plaintiff must prove that the firework was defective and that the defect directly caused their injury.
If you have been injured in a firework accident, it is crucial to consult with a personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process of filing a claim. Document everything related to your injury, including medical records, photographs of the injury, and any evidence related to the fireworks that caused the injury.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
At the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli, we represent clients in a variety of personal injury matters, including those involving catastrophic injuries, defective products, and premises liability. If you or a loved one have suffered a firework-related injury, we can advise you on whether you have a claim and what your legal options are.
Injured in negligence-related firework accident? Call (516) 628-6402 to schedule a free initial consultation today. We are available 24/7.