Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

Each year in the United States, approximately 10,000 people are medically treated for fireworks-related injuries. Males sustain about 72% of the injuries. Parts of the body most frequently injured are hands and fingers, eyes, and head and face. More than half of the injuries reported involve burns. Injuries are most commonly associated with fire-crackers, sparklers, and rockets.

With dry land all around us right now, fireworks can start fires once the sparks hit the ground causing great risk, injuries, and property loss. Additionally, the sparks could hit a person causing them to suffer severe burns or catch fire.

It is important to remember that Pennsylvania law only allows sparklers, sparkler fountains, and smoke bombs — nothing that explodes or propels itself. While sparklers may look pretty to young children, use extreme caution when playing with them because they burn between 1,000 and 1,800 degrees.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a firework accident this Fourth of July, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Reiff & Bily may be able to help you.

When I was a young boy, I use to spend many hours making fireworks, M-80's, ashcans, smoke bombs, and Roman Candles in my basement with my friends. We would laugh with glee as we blew up Campbell soup cans and other similar contraptions until one of my best friends blew off his middle finger due to a defective fuse and firework.

I am now 55-years old and I will never forget the screams of my friend and the bleeding stump of the finger that was left when an M-80 blew up in his hand as he lit a defective fuse that ignited the M-80 in rapid fire fashion before he was able to toss it.

Demand for fireworks has skyrocketed in Pennsylvania and nationwide. According to U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, firework imports into the United States have increased 700% in the past 30 years. As you drive on Pennsylvania highways, you will see signs advertising Phantom Fireworks who have established hundreds of seasonal tents in Pennsylvania selling state legal sparklers, fountains and novelties. The southeastern states along the I-95 corridor showcase a number of seasonal firework operations that sell the bigger stuff or the supplies necessary to make M-80's or other explosive devices. The National Fire Protection Association has formed an alliance to stop consumer fireworks, stating that “There is no such thing as a safe firework." During the 4th of July weekend, over 10,000 people will be injured in the United States, a large percentage of which are children. Pennsylvania allows non-explosive fireworks but prohibits anything designed to create a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. Fireworks are explosives and many people have lost their lives and limbs using them.

Continue reading "Almost Everybody Loves Fireworks Until They Get Injured – Experienced Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer Weighs In" »