July 4th Brings Fireworks and Risks of Personal Injury

On average, 230 people go to the emergency room every day during the month of July from fireworks injuries.

Westlake recently suffered a significant set back during their fireworks display at Liberty Fest, in which fireworks bounced off the roof of a Crocker Park building and injured nine people attending the public display. Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough, who attended the celebration, said the injuries were mostly ember burns and bruises.

While the cause was believed to be a product defect, a personal injury lawsuit could be filed if the company, American Fireworks, was found to be negligent. There are two areas of liability to examine when looking at fireworks claims and lawsuits. One is products liability and the other is the liability on the part of the person who ignited the fireworks.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that last year, more than 10,000 people were injured in fireworks-related incidents. It is always wise to understand the risks involved when personally igniting, or watching a public fireworks display.