Injuries from Fireworks

Fireworks injured nearly 10,000 people in 2006 alone. In the same year, they were the cause of 11 deaths. While fireworks are beautiful when arranged and used by professionals, they are also a significant source of injury.

Injuries from fireworks occur most frequently around and on holidays associated with fireworks celebrations. In the United States, the two main holidays are the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. In 2006, two-thirds of all of the injuries occurred between June 16th and July 16th. In this time, 1 out of every 3 people injured was under 15. Interestingly, males were injured three times more frequently than females. Also, nearly half of the victims were under the age of 20.

When injuries do occur, they most frequently affect the hands, eyes, head, face, and ears. Half of all of the injuries treated were burns. Burns are the most common injury to every part of the body except for the eyes and head. The eyes and head are more frequently injured by contusions, lacerations, and foreign bodies in the eyes.

Fireworks injuries are commonly associated with blindness, third degree burns, and permanent scarring. In addition to the damage they can do directly to people, fireworks also can cause life-threatening residential and automobile fires. They are also capable of destroying that property without harming people.

If you have been injured by a firework, purchased legally or otherwise, contact the fireworks injuries lawyers in Wausau of Habush, Habush, & Rottier at 1-800-248-0171 to discus your case and to determine your legal options.