Firework injuries persist well past July 4th weekend

Even though July 4th is a couple of weeks in the past, there are still fireworks going off all around the country on a pretty frequent basis. This happens every year: people get rid of their excess fireworks in the weeks that follow July 4th. But just because the holiday is over doesn’t mean that fireworks become less dangerous. They are still powerful explosives that, when in the wrong hands, can lead to serious, catastrophic or even fatal injuries.

Now, it’s a little odd to write this for New York readers, simply because the state bans the possession of fireworks, as does New Jersey. But every year, New Yorkers cross the Pennsylvania border to acquire fireworks. And every year, there are reports of average citizens suffering injuries due to fireworks that shouldn’t be possessed.

There are obvious legal implications here. When you purchase fireworks and then possess them illegally in the state of New York, you make yourself liable for any harm or damage that may come as a result of those fireworks going off. If you set them off in your neighborhood and someone is hurt, or a house is damaged, or even if they go off accidentally, you could be held liable by the affected parties in civil court.

Another unfortunate effect of July 4th is the number of fireworks shows that go wrong. Even professionals can make mistakes sometimes, and when fireworks are involved, there can be a lot of liability that needs to be addressed in civil court.

Source: TWC News, “Authorities Say Leave the Fireworks to the Professionals,” July 4, 2014