Bonfire night is a popular night of the year, with many people either heading out to a local firework’s display or enjoying some fireworks in the comfort of their own back garden.
For the most, the evening is enjoyable and passes by without incident, however despite annual warnings and reminders, many people, including young children still suffer a painful injury.
In England 2017, 4,436 people attended A&E because of an injury caused by a firework. Half of those admitted were 18 years of age or under.
In this short blog, we share some safety tips and also advice on what to do if you are injured.
Stay Safe
To avoid an injury it is important to follow a few simple guidelines:
Common firework related injuries
Amongst the most common injuries involving fireworks are:
I’ve been injured at a fireworks display – can I make a claim?
You should be able to make a firework injury claims if the accident happened within the last 3 year’s and someone who owed you a duty of care was at fault.
If it occurred at an organised display, the person(s) in charge can be liable as they have a legal duty to ensure the safety of spectators and any staff helping at the event.
In most cases, a public display will have insurance through which a claim can be pursued. In a situation where a firework is thrown at a person, or set off in a street, a claim for compensation may be able to be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
If an accident occurred and the firework is found to be faulty, you may also be able to make a defective product claim against the retailer or manufacturer.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury on bonfire night and you think you have a claim, contact our team who will assess your case and offer free legal advice.
0114 225 6666 or via email: info@shulaw.co.uk