THE KELLY LAW OFFICES OF INDIANA ON FIREWORK-RELATED INJURIES AND DEATHS
Ask any hospital emergency room physician or nurse around Crown Point, Lowell, or any city in Indiana and they’ll tell you about the high number of injuries—and even occasional deaths—that result from fireworks accidents. Indiana has relatively liberal fireworks laws when compared to other states. The State of Indiana lists the following as consumer fireworks that are legal to purchase and utilize as long as the consumer is over eighteen years of age:
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Firecrackers
- Sparklers
- Ground spinners
- Cone fountains
- Wheels
- Cylindrical fountains
However, even these relatively safer fireworks can be dangerous if they are improperly used or contain some sort of manufacturing or design defect. For instance, a common sparkler burns at approximately 2000° F and is easily capable of inflicting third-degree burns. Most fireworks sold in the State of Indiana only have a very limited manufacturer’s warning on the label; instructions are usually non-existent. Fireworks makers tend to leave it up to the consumer to figure out how to safely use their products—and the results are often dangerous or deadly.
The Frequency of Fireworks Accidents
The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that approximately 9,600 reported injuries resulted from fireworks in 2011. Statistics for individual states are not available in the CPSC report, but firework injuries are as common in Indiana as elsewhere. Almost half of these accidents resulted in hand injuries and a third involved injuries to the face, eyes, and head. Fireworks accidents include explosions, burns, projectile injuries, and debris falling from personal and professional fireworks displays.
Fireworks Accidents and Personal Injury
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a fireworks accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Fireworks manufacturers often make mistakes in the design and production of their products. In addition, they may be supplying these products to irresponsible or negligent retailers, who are not compliant with Indiana law. In this case, the retailer may also incur some liability.
A firecracker explosion in the hand, a misaimed bottle rocket, or a sparkler contacting the eye could lead to a hospital stay, surgery, lost wages, and excruciating pain and suffering. Regardless of whether you live in Indianapolis, Lowell, Cedar Lake or anywhere else in Indiana, if you or someone in your family was injured by fireworks over the holiday week, you should contact a reputable Indiana personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
