As we approach the summer months each year, fireworks increase the chances of people being seriously injured. Year after year, we see people harmed by fireworks around the 4th of July. Unfortunately, serious injuries can result from accidents with fireworks at any time of the year.
If fireworks have injured you, you must reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Kansas City right away. You may have options available to help you move forward.
Our team at Peterson & Associates, P.C., has decades of experience representing victims who have been injured due to firework accidents in Kansas City and throughout the united states. Our firework accident lawyers can help you get justice after your accident.
Our Kansas City personal injury lawyers can meet with you for a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience. We can help educate you regarding your rights as a victim and fight to protect your legal rights. Contact our law firm today to get started.
The Dangers of Fireworks
In most cases, people are harmed as a result of fireworks that consumers misuse. The most common mistakes that people make while setting off fireworks include:
· Improperly lighting fireworks
· Lighting the fireworks too close to others/failing to maintain a safe distance
· Lighting fireworks while people are holding them in their hands
Although these actions continue to be a leading cause of fireworks injuries, the chances of suffering fireworks injuries are greatly increased when the products have manufacturing or design defects and inadequate safety warnings.
When fireworks malfunction, they can cause harm in various ways. For example, defective fireworks can explode prematurely and cause injuries to consumers who are unable to reach a safe distance before the firework explodes.
When fuses are defective on fireworks, it can cause the device to ignite the explosive powders in a way that the manufacturer did not intend. This can result in the firework exploding unexpectedly.
There are also cases where fireworks that are designed to soar through the area go off their trajected path. When fireworks spark or fly in unpredictable paths, it can severely harm onlookers.
Whether an accident is a result of improper use or a defective product, it can lead to severe injuries that negatively impact the health and wellbeing of victims.
If you have been injured due to a firework incident, you must reach out to our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers in Kansas City immediately. Our lawyers can schedule a free case evaluation with you to discuss your accident and the legal options available to help you move forward.
Common Fireworks-Related Injuries
Thousands of people across the United States are left with firework injuries each year. These injuries can have both immediate and long-term impacts on injury victims. Unfortunately, most injuries caused by firework accidents are completely preventable. However, we continue to see people harmed as a result of these accidents.
Some of the most common fireworks-related injuries that victims suffer from include:
Severe Burns: Third-degree burns and other burn injuries are some of the most common reported injuries. Roughly 57% of fireworks-related injuries involve burns. These injuries often lead to permanent scarring and nerve and muscle damage.
Contusions and Lacerations: Around 18% of firework injuries are severe lacerations and contusions. These injuries often require emergency medical attention and can lead to permanent scarring, loss of nerve and muscle functions, and other severe consequences.
Fractures and Sprains: Around 5% of fireworks-related injuries are fractures and sprains. When people have fireworks set off too close, they are likely to suffer broken bones in the hands, legs, arms, and feet.
Other reported injuries caused by dangerous and defective fireworks include:
· Loss of sight (either temporary or permanent)
· Loss of hearing (either temporary or permanent)
· Inhalation injuries
· Permanent disgorgement
These and other severe injuries can negatively impact of victim’s life immediately. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of fireworks injuries are also challenging to deal with.
Injuries caused by firework accidents can impact various areas of the body. Some of the most common body parts injured in fireworks accidents include:
Head/Face/Ears: Injuries to this area of the body are reported in 19% of cases.
Legs: Injuries to this area of the body are reported in 13% of cases.
Trunks: Injuries to this area of the body are reported in 15% of cases.
Arms: Injuries to this area of the body are reported in 1% of cases.
Hands/Fingers: Injuries to this area of the body are reported in 41% of cases.
Eye Injuries: Harm to the eyes following incidents with fireworks is reported in 12% of cases.
If you have suffered fireworks injuries, it is important that you seek legal guidance right away. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to secure compensation to cover some of the damages that you face in the aftermath of your accident.
Contact our Kansas City personal injury lawyers at Peterson & Associates, P.C., to schedule a free consultation to get started on your case at your earliest convenience.
Firework Accident Statistics
Each year in the United States, we see many people suffer serious firework injuries as a result of accidents. These injuries can range from burns and scarring to severe injuries or even death. Unfortunately, firework accidents occur at an alarming rate, especially around the fourth of July.
Reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission show that during 2020:
· Around 18 people lose their lives in firework accidents. The majority of these fatalities were a result of improper use.
· More than 15,600 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries.
· Of the total reported injuries, more than 10,300 were the result of fireworks accidents that took place between June 21st and July 21st (a total 0f 66% of the annual reports).
· More than 44% of fireworks injuries treated in emergency departments included burns to the legs, arms, hands, and fingers.
· Around 46% of firework injuries involve teens and children.
· Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are harmed by fireworks more than twice as often as children in other age groups.
· Although any type of firework can cause severe injuries, approximately 85% of hospital emergency room visits for firework injuries are caused by shell and mortar fireworks.
· The majority of fireworks injuries are a result of misuse or malfunctioning fireworks.
People igniting fireworks must follow July holiday safety tips to avoid being harmed. Regrettably, we see many people suffer serious injuries as a result of fireworks.
If you suffered fireworks-related injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, you might have legal options available to help you move forward. Several parties can be held liable depending on the cause of your injuries. Working with our Kansas City personal injury attorneys at Peterson & Associates, P.C., can help determine who is at fault for your injuries and damages.
Injury Prevention Safety Tips
Firework users can drastically reduce the chances of serious injuries by adopting a series of Fourth of July holiday safety tips. These include:
· Always follow the directions that are on the fireworks packages. Never experiment with homemade fireworks or modify fireworks.
· Never let children use fireworks without adequate supervision. Even if a firework seems harmless, such as sparklers, they can still cause third-degree burns and other serious injuries.
· Never set off fireworks indoors. Fireworks should always be ignited outside and away from any homes, structures, or fire hazards.
· Never attempt to reignite a malfunctioning or used firework.
· Keep a buck of water nearby in case of emergency.
· Soak any misfired or used fireworks before discarding them.
By exercising these safety tips, you can provide the safest and most enjoyable time possible for your friends, family, and yourself this 4th of July.
Who Is Liable for Fireworks Injuries?
If you have been injured as a result of an incident with fireworks, you may be able to file a personal injury case against the responsible party. It is important that you are able to identify who is at fault for your damages and injuries.
In general, there are several parties who can be held liable for your resulting fireworks injuries and damages. These include:
· The seller or the distributor of the fireworks
· The manufacturer of a malfunctioning explosive/defective firework
· The organizer of the fireworks show or event
· A neighbor who set off illegal fireworks
· A friend who recklessly causes harm to you by igniting homemade fireworks
Our Kansas City fireworks accident lawyers will assess all applicable laws in Missouri in order to determine who is at fault for your injuries. We will then take the appropriate steps toward holding them to account, so you are able to secure the maximum amount of financial compensation to cover your damages.
Types of Fireworks Accident Claims
Children and adults who are injured as a result of fireworks accidents may have different legal options available to help them seek timely compensation to cover their damages. In general, the liability in a fireworks incident is determined by various factors.
In the vast majority of cases, liability for fireworks injuries and damages falls on the property owner. If a property owner is setting off fireworks in an unsafe manner, it can result in serious injuries to those nearby. In some cases, fireworks property damage claims are filed after fireworks set fires to neighboring homes and businesses.
When property owners are liable for any resulting injuries and damages, victims will generally file personal injury lawsuits under premises liability laws. These claims help injured parties seek compensation to help alleviate various damages they face.
Other incidents involving fireworks can result in product liability claims. When fireworks do not function properly due to product defects, manufacturers and other parties may be held liable. A product liability case is typically applicable when victims are harmed by fireworks that:
· Were not stored properly at the store
· Have problems with storage or producing fireworks
If you have been injured as a result of a fireworks accident, you must seek medical attention immediately. Next, it is crucial that you collect any evidence of your injuries. You will want to gather any videos of the incident, pictures, and leftover scraps of the explosives.
Keep medical bills related to treating your injuries in order to prove these damages. You will want to write down everything that happened at the time of your accident. It can also help to take testimony from others who witnessed the incident occur.
It is crucial that you reach out to our Kansas City fireworks accident lawyers as soon as possible. Our legal team can help you secure the compensation you need to cover the financial burdens you face moving forward.
Inadequate Labeling Causing Issues
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires that all fireworks are adequately labeled for consumers. These labels must indicate the potential dangers that are associated with fireworks and provide people with guidelines on how they are used. Products that are not labeled properly can be incredibly dangerous for consumers.
These labels must include information pertaining to:
· Signal words – either “warning” or “caution.”
· A statement that adequately described the hazards that are associated with the device
o This can include “Shoots flaming balls,” “emits showers or sparks,” etc.
· Information pertaining to the actions that are to be followed or avoided while storing, handling, and using the devices.
Inadequate labels on fireworks, sparklers and other products can lead to severe injuries for consumers. If you have been injured as a result of a defective firework or another firework accident, you may have legal options available to help you move forward. It is crucial that you reach out to our Kansas City personal injury lawyers right away to see how we can help you.
Performance Requirements for Fireworks
All fireworks that are sold to consumers, except for firecrackers, must meet performance requirements set by the Code of Federal Regulations under Title 16, Part 1507.
These requirements include:
· Fuses must resist any side ignition
· Fuses must burn for a minimum of 3 seconds and a maximum of 9 seconds
· The shortest dimension of a firework base must be at least 1/3 of the overall height of the device
· The device must pass a 12-degree tilt test
· The devices must be sealed properly in order to prevent any leakage of pyrotechnic materials
· Wheels must have securely attached drivers
· Rockets must have sticks that are rigid, straight, and remain securely attached throughout the duration of operation
· Party poppers
· The devices must not exhibit any blowout or burnout
· Handles and all spikes on devices must be securely attached
· Toy smoke devices cannot burst or produce any excessive external flames during their operation
· Handles must be at least 4-inches in length, and spikes must be at least 2-inches in length and have a blunt tip
When manufacturers fail to ensure all performance requirements are met, they can be held liable for any fireworks-related injuries. If you were injured as a result of a fireworks accident, you must reach out to our personal injury lawyers in Kansas City right away. Our team can schedule a free consultation with you at your earliest convenience to get started on your case.
Damages Available for Firework Accident Victims
People who are injured in fireworks incidents not only suffer physical consequences but financial impacts as well. Many victims have to take time off work to recover while going through extensive medical care. When injured victims are hurt as a result of negligence, they may be able to seek compensation to help alleviate some of the damages they face.
The ability to collect compensation is based on the legal theories of negligence. This theory states that if a person or entity caused your injuries or damages due to behavior that constitutes negligence, they could be held liable for any resulting injuries and damages. Working with a skilled legal team can help to ensure you are able to secure full and fair compensation to cover the damages you face.
Some of the damages our Kansas City personal injury attorneys can help you obtain compensation for include:
· Lost wages due to taking time off work to recover
· Lost income if you are left permanently disabled
· Emotional distress
· Pain and suffering
· Medical expenses for hospital emergency rooms visits, surgery, hospitalization, and other immediate needs
· Medical costs for long-term treatments like therapy and rehabilitation
· Property damage
· and more
If you suffered severe injuries at a fireworks show due to your neighbor setting off fireworks in a negligent manner or as a result of a defective firework, you must reach out to our law firm as soon as possible. Our team can help to identify the cause of your accident and take legal action against those at fault. Schedule a free consultation with our law firm today to get started on your case.
Over the years, our Kansas City personal injury attorneys at Peterson & Associates, P.C., have helped thousands of injury victims secure more than $500 million collectively for their lawsuits. Our lawyers are fully committed to helping you get the maximum amount of compensation available to help you cover the economic and non-economic damages you face.
Contact our Kansas City law firm today to schedule a free consultation with our team to get started on your case.
Losing a Loved One As a Result of an Accident with Fireworks
There are many cases where innocent people end up losing their lives as a result of firework injuries. If your loved one has lost their life, you may have options available to help you move forward. Seeking the assistance of a skilled and fearless Kansas City wrongful death lawyer can make a significant difference when it comes to your chances of getting justice.
Our lawyers at Peterson & Associates, P.C., can help your family secure full and timely compensation to help alleviate the impact of lost earnings, funeral arrangements, burial costs, and various other damages you face.
It is crucial that you seek legal guidance from our Kansas City personal injury law firm immediately to get started on your case.
Our Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyers Will Fight For You
Every year, thousands of people across the United States are injured as a result of firework accidents. These incidents can be life-changing and leave those harmed with pain and suffering that lasts forever. Should you be injured as a result of a fireworks incident, you must take legal action right away. Waiting can negatively affect your ability to get justice and secure the maximum amount of compensation available for your lawsuit.
For decades, our Kansas City fireworks accident lawyers Peterson & Associates, P.C., have stood by the sides of injured victims as we fought to get them justice. Our lawyers are deeply committed to providing fearless and knowledgeable representation to each victim we work with.
We are dedicated to building a strong attorney-client relationship with every injured party with help. Our lawyers will remain by your side throughout the entire legal process to ensure you are able to get justice and hold the parties responsible for your injuries to account. Not only will we fight to protect your legal rights, but we will advocate on your behalf to ensure your best interests are protected as well. We take great pride in our proven history of past results in helping injury victims get justice and protect their legal rights.
If you were injured as a result of an accident with fireworks, you must reach out to our Kansas City law firm right away to schedule a free consultation at your earliest convenience. Our lawyers are available by calling 816-888-8888 to get started on your case.
Meet the Attorneys of Peterson & Associates, P.C.
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Many people that have been injured in car accidents are unsure of where to start with a legal claim. Our team of highly trained lawyers can help to review the details of your crash and guide you through the process. Below, learn more about the attorneys at Peterson & Associates, P.C., their results, and contingency fees.
