Last week, millions of friends and family gathered together to commemorate our country’s independence by celebrating the Fourth of July. And of course, fireworks were the main attraction. From sparklers and bottle rockets, to firecrackers, motor shells, and more, fireworks come in a massive assortment that are available to the public for purchase every year. But depending on how they are manufactured and how they are used, fireworks can be a potentially dangerous hazard.

If you were injured by fireworks, you need to know your rights. Continue reading to learn about the laws surrounding firework injuries and accidents, and whether or not you could be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Firework Injuries and Accidents

Ranging from minor to major, and even fatal, firework injuries and accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence on this annual holiday. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2012 more than 8,700 firework-related injuries (2 of which were fatal) were reported by U.S. hospital emergency rooms. This included both firework handlers and spectators. Even more interesting, over 5,200 of the reported injuries took place between June 22 and July 22. A scarier discovery revealed that 30% of the reported injuries were minors under the age of 15, meaning children made up a considerable portion of the 2012 July 4th firework injuries. From those same reports, it was found that the most common body parts injured were the hands, fingers, legs, and head. And that the most common fireworks that caused the injuries were firecrackers, sparklers, bottle rockets, then motors.

Firework Laws

In all states, the CPSC regulates fireworks. This includes firework devices, the composition of fireworks, and their performance requirements. Some states do not allow consumer fireworks at all. These used to be known as “C-class” fireworks, and include roman candles, sparklers, bottle rockets, motors, shells, and more. Firework laws have changed in Indiana since 2006. To learn about these changes and to read the laws surrounding firework sales and usage, view the Indiana fireworks fact-sheet.

Firework Injury Claims and Lawsuits

Firework lawsuits are not so uncommon. People have sued firework manufacturers, companies, organizations that host firework shows, and even homeowners and tenants who host private firework celebrations. Winning a settlement for a firework injury depends on several factors, making each case different. And a victim must be able to prove that the opposing party: 1) had a duty of care, 2) breached that duty of care, and 3) their injuries were a result of that breach. For this reason, personal injury claims and lawsuits are highly-sensitive and complex. So it is critical to hire a personal injury lawyer after being injured by fireworks. They can examine the circumstances surrounding your accident, and then use their knowledge and experience to determine if you are entitled to compensation.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you or someone you love suffered a fireworks injury in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are here to help you recover compensation for your losses and damages. Our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience to represent victims of any firework-related injury or accident. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.