Fireworks, while often a source of celebration, can also cause severe injuries if not handled properly. If you or a loved one has been injured in a fireworks accident, seek legal representation from a Chicago firework accident lawyer from The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers.
In this Article
How Frequent are Firework Injuries?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS) 10,200 people visited the ER due to fireworks injuries in 2022, the predominance in the 4th of July period. Eleven deaths, mostly due to misuse, were reported. Young adults are the most affected, with firecrackers causing 1,300 ER visits, and sparklers accounting for 600 ER visits.
What Fireworks are Legal in Illinois?
Fireworks are heavily regulated in Illinois and are for the most part, are illegal. The Pyrotechnic Use Act (“PUA”) in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks.” These fireworks (which are legal in some neighboring states) include firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles.
Certain things, like sparklers, are not considered consumer fireworks and are therefore legal. Penalties for the possession of consumer fireworks in Illinois can be up to 1 year in prison and a $2500 fine.
How Can I Avoid Firework Injuries at Home?
The best way to avoid fireworks-related injuries is to never use consumer fireworks. If you use legal ones, keep these important tips in mind:
Read and follow all safety warnings on the label
Never let children handle fireworks
Ensure an adult is always present
Light small fireworks one at a time and never relight duds
Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby for emergencies
Never point fireworks at people or animals
Let fireworks and debris cool before disposing of them safely.
Who Suffers Fireworks Injuries Most Frequently?
Children, young adults, and teens are the most frequent victims of fireworks accident injuries. This is because they do not fully understand the risks associated with using fireworks, nor do they often realize how dangerous they can be.
What Are the Most Common Fireworks Injuries?
According to the 2021 report of the Consumers Products Safety Commission, the the parts of the body most often injured fireworks-related catastrophic injuries are hands, fingers, and arms. These areas account for 31% of serious injuries caused by fireworks. Burns, often severe, are also common and can result in permanent scarring or death. Eye injuries constitute about 15% of all fireworks-related incidents.
What Should I Do if I Am Injured by Fireworks?
If you or a loved one is injured by fireworks:
Seek immediate medical attention,
Document the accident with photos and records, and
Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for legal guidance about filing a personal injury claim.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for Fireworks Injuries?
Whether a fireworks accident victim was a spectator at a public fireworks display gone wrong or the user of a malfunctioning firework, they may hold the person or company setting off the fireworks liable through negligence and a personal injury lawsuit.
In many cases, a fireworks manufacturer can be held liable for burn injuries from improperly labeled or manufactured products. Additionally, they may be liable if they fail to warn consumers about the dangers of their products.
What Compensation is Available for Victims of Fireworks Injuries?
You may be entitled to compensation seeking personal injury claims if you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence resulting in fireworks accidents. Recovery can include:
Medical expenses, including emergency care, long-term treatment, and other medical bills
Lost wages and future earnings if you can’t work due to injuries
Pain and suffering for physical and emotional harm from the accident
And more
Find Out What Your Case May Be Worth
A firework accident lawyer will assess the value of your case by considering the following factors:
The severity of your injuries and their impact on your life
Investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim
Determine liability and identify all potentially responsible parties
Calculate the full extent of damages you may be entitled to receive
Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf for fair compensation
Represent you in court, if necessary, to fight for your rights.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
The personal injury lawyers on our legal team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and to answer questions you may have about your firework injury. We work on a contingency fee basis which means you don’t pay us until we win your case.
If you’re a resident of Chicago and have suffered a fireworks injury, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
You may be entitled to compensation seeking personal injury claims if you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence resulting in fireworks accidents. Recovery can include:
(312) 223-1700