Fireworks-Related Injuries in Washington
Posted Friday, July 6, 2018 by Chris Thayer
According to a recent report from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, there were 262 fireworks-related injuries in 2017. That is 11% more than the 10-year average.
Nationally, there were almost 13,000 injuries caused by fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Two-thirds of those injuries happened between June 16 and July 16 (which makes sense, considering the Fourth of July falls within that time frame). Here are a few statistics about common injuries associated with fireworks use:
- Hands and fingers are the body parts most commonly injured, followed by legs, eyes and arms.
- A majority of fireworks injuries (53%) treated in emergency rooms were burns, which is the most common type of injury to hands, fingers, and arms.
- Eye injuries can result in permanent disability and severe vision loss. For example, fireworks can cause retinal detachment, corneal abrasions and chemical and thermal burns, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Most injuries happen when people set off their own fireworks. You are much safer going to a public demonstration put on by professionals.
How do Fireworks-Related Injuries Happen?
Most injuries are caused by misuse or malfunctions, according to the CPSC. Examples of misuse include:
- Placing fireworks too close to a heat source, like a grill
- Not standing far enough away from other people when igniting fireworks
- Holding the fireworks in your hand
- Not knowing how to properly set the fireworks off
- Throwing lit fireworks at someone, and
- Trying to ignite fireworks that did not go off the first time.
You might be entitled to compensation under Washington negligence law if you are injured because someone mishandles fireworks or does not set them off properly. An experienced attorney can explain your legal options. You might also be able to recover damages from the manufacturer if the fireworks malfunction. Examples of malfunctions include:
- Blowouts (when it explodes inside the tube)
- Back fire (sparks come out of the rear of the device), and
- Errant flight paths (meaning the firework does not travel the way it is supposed to).
These are only a few examples of misuses and malfunctions that can result in injuries. Contact an experienced attorney if you were injured in any kind of fireworks-related incident. Do not delay, because you only have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington.
Preventing Fireworks-Related Injuries
There are a few common-sense steps you can take to avoid being injured if you set off your own fireworks. For example, do not carry fireworks in your pockets and keep a bucket of water nearby. Other safety tips from the CPSC are:
- Do not let children set off fireworks without adult supervision (and keep young children away from them entirely).
- Never point fireworks at another person.
- Back away immediately after igniting fireworks.
- Light fireworks one at a time and do not try to reignite dud fireworks.
*Contact Us Today*Contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation if you were injured in a fireworks-related incident. We will examine the facts of your case and help determine whether the accident was caused by negligence. Our experienced attorneys will help recover the compensation that you deserve, including medical costs and other related expenses.