The excitement of lighting off fireworks proved to be costly for a 15-year-old boy in Livermore over the Fourth of July weekend. The young man, whose name was not released, reportedly found the firework on the beach. The explosive was described as a “gold-shaped egg” made of cardboard with a small fuse attached to it. The teen’s hand is severely injured and there is a possibility that he could lose it. First responders treated the boy before flying him to a hospital, and rescue workers combed the beach area to see if any more of the strange fireworks showed up. Fortunately, no more were located, and no more accidents were reported.
Fireworks: Treat Them With Respect
Personal injury is not the only problem related to the use of fireworks. California continues to battle drought conditions, and it is especially important to set off fireworks only under approved conditions. Illegal fireworks are not regulated and are often found in the hands of individuals who do not understand the power or the potential damage when safety precautions are not observed. In fact, Roseville residents are currently cleaning up a neighborhood where illegal fireworks nearly burned down several homes.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises there were eight deaths and 11,400 firework related injuries in 2013, an increase from 8,700 in 2012. The most common cause of firework injury or death is device malfunction and improper use. The CPSC also advises the primary cause for those deaths was either manipulation of a banned or home-manufactured device, or the individual was a bystander in the area of the firework detonation.
Possession of fireworks deemed illegal by the state can carry heavy fines and possible jail time. In California, most of the fireworks laws are misdemeanors and can include a maximum fine of $1,000 and a year in jail. However, possession of large quantities of dangerous fireworks or manipulated fireworks could increase the charge to a felony and incur longer prison sentences.
What If You Are The Victim Of An Illegal Firework Explosion
The firework that the teen lit appears to be a homemade device. This means that, if the person responsible for making the device and leaving it on the beach could be located, that person might bear liability in the case. A person who is responsible for such an accident may be liable for payment of compensation to the victim.
The personal injury attorneys at the Ashley Injury Lawyers are experienced at helping you understand your legal rights and if you may be able to collect compensation. The Ashley Injury Lawyers will aggressively fight for your rights and handle negotiations with insurance companies to bring about a settlement; they will also represent your interests in a trial if the matter proceeds to that point. The attorneys at Ashley Injury Lawyers want what is fair and just for you. Contact the Ashley Injury Lawyers today to see what they can do for you!
