Every year, 4th of July celebrations across the United States bring a variety of fireworks-related incidents that should serve as cautionary tales to would-be pyromaniacs.
This year, there was a notable one that hit a little closer to home.
A man in Broward County near Lauderdale Lakes lost his hand in a fireworks accident. When medical responders arrived the man had already been taken via private vehicle to a nearby hospital, but responders still had to gather up the severed hand and bring it with them. The man and his hand were then transported to the Broward Health Medical Center for treatment.
Public safety campaigns plead with residents
This incident came after numerous public safety campaigns encouraging safety over the holiday and avoidance of illegal fireworks. Broward County officials pleaded with residents to avoid the use of pyrotechnics as part of their holiday celebrations and let the professionals handle them.
To emphasize the dangers of illegal fireworks, the Broward County fire department blew up watermelons to show how fireworks could result in battlefield injuries, such as the one this particular man suffered.
While there can be some recourse for personal injury lawsuits associated with fireworks accidents, it is difficult to impossible for a person who purchased and then used illegal fireworks to recover compensation if their actions resulted in injuries to themselves.
For more information about fireworks safety and handling legal issues associated with fireworks accidents, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.