Fireworks Injuries on the 4th of July in Florida
July 3, 2024 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury
Fireworks in Florida on the 4th of July are a highlight of the summer, but if things go wrong, they can cause severe injuries. If you were injured while watching or setting off fireworks, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury or product liability case.
Continue reading to learn about fireworks injuries on the 4th of July. If you need legal assistance, contact a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer to discuss your potential claim.
How Common Are Fireworks Injuries?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2023, 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms in the United States for fireworks injuries. Eight people died due to fireworks accidents that year.
Sixty-six percent of fireworks injuries occurred in the weeks before and after the 4th of July.
What Types of Injuries Do Fireworks Cause?
Common fireworks injuries are burns, lacerations, and contusions. In 2023, 42 percent of all fireworks injuries were burns.
The hands and fingers were the body parts most often injured, accounting for 35 percent of injuries. Head, face, and ear injuries accounted for 22 percent of injuries.
What Causes Fireworks Injuries?
The two leading causes of fireworks injuries are malfunction and misuse. A firework may malfunction by misfiring or when debris flies in an unintended direction.
If you were injured because a firework malfunctioned, you may be able to hold the company that produced or sold the product accountable in a product liability lawsuit.
If you were injured because someone misused the fireworks, you may recover compensation if you show they acted negligently.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Fireworks Injury Victims in Florida?
If you were one of the thousands of people injured by fireworks on or near the 4th of July, you could recover compensation in the form of damages.
Two types of damages may be available to fireworks injury victims: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include the monetary impacts of your accident or injury. These might consist of medical bills, future rehabilitation costs, lost wages, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include other impacts of the accident or injury, such as psychological effects. These might consist of pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, reduced quality of life, scarring, and disfigurement.
What Should You Do After a Fireworks Injury on the 4th of July?
If you’ve been injured by fireworks, take the following steps for your safety and to bolster a potential claim for damages.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Fireworks injuries like burns may require immediate medical attention. If you’ve suffered a severe injury, call 911. If your injury is mild, you may be able to render aid and follow up with a medical provider.
Document the Accident and Injury
Document the scene, the packaging of the fireworks, and your injury, if possible. Write down your memory of how the injury occurred. These details may help identify the at-fault party and prove your case.
Contact an Injury Attorney
Contact an experienced fireworks injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss potential compensation in your case and other next steps.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Florida Fireworks Injury Lawyer
The 4th of July is usually a time for celebration. However, if you were hurt by fireworks in Florida, you may be dealing with the aftermath of your injury instead. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation if your injury was caused by a faulty firework or another person’s negligence.
Our dedicated team of St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers will help you seek total compensation for your fireworks injuries. Contact our office to schedule your free consultation.
For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in St. Petersburg today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196
