Boom or Bust: Fireworks Injuries and Your Legal Rights in Florida

Summer brings a wide range of ways to enjoy the outdoors, often including fireworks. Fireworks Safety Awareness week is June 28 through July 4, and it is a good time to discuss your rights if you are hurt in a fireworks-related incident.

At Abogadas305, our South Florida personal injury lawyers are always available to answer any questions you have about injuries you suffer, including those related to fireworks, explosions, or burn injuries. Our fireworks injury lawyers in Miami are always available to discuss your injury with you. Do not hesitate to seek out a free consultation with us now.

What Is Fireworks Safety Awareness Week?

Each year, Fireworks Safety Awareness Week occurs just before the Fourth of July. It is sponsored by Prevent Blindness. It is a time of the year when there is a focus on preventing eye injuries and burns, often caused by fireworks. At a high risk are children and young adults who may not recognize the risks associated with fireworks products.

Fireworks use often peaks around July 4th, which means it is an excellent time to talk about safety and the overall risks associated with using these products. Fireworks look amazing, and because of the safety measures professional organizations typically use, they can seem safe to use yourself. Yet, that is not the case.

Alarming Statistics

Fireworks are dangerous. Data indicates that thousands of people are hurt every year by fireworks in the U.S. That happens at all levels of use. About 65% of fireworks injuries occur in the two weeks that surround July 4th. Some of the most common injuries include serious injury to:

• The eyes, including damage leading to blindness
• Face including burns
• Hands including burns and a significant risk of amputation from explosions

These injuries can cause permanent damage and blindness to victims. Many times, this happens to those who are using the fireworks themselves. However, others occur because of the negligence of professional users or non-professionals who cause fireworks to blast into a crowd of people or shoot in the wrong direction.

Common Types of Fireworks Injuries

Consider the implications of a fireworks accident and what could happen as a result.

• Eye injury from fireworks: This can cause blindness, which can impact your ability to engage in the world around you, hold a job, and see the face of your loved ones again; often due to flying debris, sparks, or misfires
• Burns, especially to the hands or face, can cause prolonged pain from chronic nerve damage as well as disfigurement and loss of mobility
• Hearing damage from the loud blast can cause damage to hearing that does not improve

Bystander injuries are common. The most common victims of such accidents are to children who are standing too close or may not know how to react when circumstances change.

Legal Liability in Fireworks Accidents

Knowing your legal rights after a fireworks accident is critical. The party who is at fault will typically be responsible for paying for the losses you incur. The circumstances of each situation are a bit different, but some examples of who may be at fault include the following:

• The property owner. If the owner of the property held an event and did not take steps to warn others of the risks or allowed known risks to take place, the owner could be held accountable for your injuries and losses.
• Party hosts. If you attend an event with fireworks, and the display that the event puts on causes an accident or injuries to you, the host could be held accountable, as may any party that was hired to put on the show
• Negligent users. You may be hurt at a neighborhood block party when a neighbor’s child shoots a firework in your direction. That could mean the neighbor is responsible for your injuries.

In any of these or other situations, you may have the legal right to compensation for any losses you have, including:

• Medical expenses from injury recovery and cosmetic injury repair
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering

Florida law places restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks throughout the state. If someone violates these rules and a victim suffers injuries as a result, that could lead to liability risks.

Your Legal Rights After a Fireworks Injury

If you are hurt, get medical care. An injury from fireworks is a serious incident that requires careful documentation of what occurred. In the ideal situation, follow these steps:

• Report the injury to the police or property owner. Then, seek medical attention immediately.
• Gather any evidence possible from the scene, including photos, witness statements, videos of what occurred, or other documentation of what happened
• Do not sign anything from any insurance company just yet. Instead, hire a fireworks accident lawyer to help you determine what your losses are first. You do not want this to interfere with your personal injury settlement value.

As soon as you contact Miami personal injury lawyers, you will gain an advocate working closely with you. We will help you to understand your rights in any potential claim. Our lawyers are committed to helping you hold those who did this accountable.

Safety Tips

In the simplest of situations, know that fireworks are dangerous. Consider these tips:

• Leave the fireworks displays – even minor ones – to the professionals.
• Always keep children far away from fireworks and the lighting of them.
• Always wear eye protection to minimize debris.
• Never relight duds, but instead wait 20 minutes and then douse them in water.
• Avoid using fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Call a Miami Personal Injury & Fireworks Injury Lawyer Today

If you were hurt in an accident related to fireworks use, turn to our personal injury lawyers at Abogadas205 for immediate help. Our years of experience enable our legal team to provide guidance throughout your journey. You may be owed compensation for the losses you suffered due to the negligence of others.

Take a moment to set up a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers in Miami at Abogadas305 now to learn more about your rights and risks. Call our office at 1-877-305-3055 today to schedule a free consultation.

Deje que las abogadas de lesiones personales de Miami en ABOGADAS305
le ayuden a encarrilar su vida y poner este accidente en el espejo retrovisor.