Fireworks: Beautiful and Dangerous

malfunctioning fireworks

malfunctioning fireworks

Fireworks are fun to watch and exciting to play with. This is especially true on holidays like the 4th of July. Unfortunately, many people get distracted by the spectacular thrill and beauty of a fireworks display and forget about the inherent dangers involved when handling explosive and flammable materials. Every 4th of July, innocent people are injured because of malfunctioning fireworks or because of another person’s careless handling of fireworks. The types of injuries caused by fireworks can include burns, loss of vision, and even death. If you have been injured by fireworks, experienced Florida personal injury lawyers are there to discuss whether and how to make the responsible party pay for your injuries.

If you or someone you know has been injured by fireworks, don’t just assume that there is nothing that you can do about it. There are many reasons why people are injured by fireworks. Common causes of injuries include malfunctioning fireworks and careless or improper handling of fireworks. In the case of malfunctioning fireworks, the manufacturer may be held liable for producing fireworks that are not reasonably safe to use. The unsafe condition may be due to either a manufacturing flaw or a design flaw. Additionally, a fireworks manufacturer may be liable for failing to provide adequate operating instructions or safety warnings.

Careless or improper handling of fireworks is also a common cause of fireworks-related injuries during the 4th of July holidays. Careless or improper handling of fireworks may be due to inexperience, inattentiveness, intoxication, or many other reasons. Regardless of the reason, people who set off fireworks may be liable for any resulting injuries if they fail to use fireworks in a reasonably safe manner. This applies to people who set off fireworks for both public and private displays.

Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore Law Firm

The experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore have been speaking up for injured people since 1967. If you have been injured by fireworks, don’t assume that any lawyer will have the experience and judgment to manage your case well. The lawyer who handled your divorce or DUI case may not have the experience needed to litigate your injury claim. Call the Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore law firm to get knowledgeable Tampa personal injury attorneys working on your case.

 

Festival

Festival

What to do if You’re Injured While Visiting a Local Festival

Ahhh, summertime. The kids are out of school, vacation days are put to use, and we are all out and about enjoying everything this great city has to offer, including fun festivals. And while you try your best to always stay safe while enjoying the festivities, things happen, and people get hurt. So, what do you do if you’ve been injured while visiting a local festival?

Report the Incident
The first thing you need to do is report the injury right away. The longer you wait to notify the festival organizers, the more it can hurt your case. And, if there were any witnesses to the incident, make sure to get their contact information.

Seek Medical Attention
The next important step to take is to seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think your injury is serious, it’s still important to seek medical attention to ensure that you’re okay. There could be underlying issues that you’re not aware of. If you do end up seriously injured and need to file a personal injury claim, you’ll want documentation of your visit to a doctor or emergency room.

What Comes Next
If you are injured to the point where you lose time off from work or are unable to do other things, such as drive, workout, etc., you should seek the services of a Tampa personal injury lawyer. A lawyer will sit down with you in order to get a better understanding of how you were injured. When a festival is organized, it is the responsible of the organizer and property owner to provide a location and event that are reasonably safe for public use. This means that if the festival organizer or property caretaker knew or should have known of dangerous conditions to the property, but failed to rectify the situation, those entities could be held responsible for your injury.

The attorneys of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore have many decades of experience in helping people who are injured through the negligence of others receive compensation and justice. You want to have experience on your side when it comes to personal injury cases — and we have it. Contact us today, and we will be happy to discuss your potential claim.