Department is encouraging residents to leave fireworks to the professionals on the Fourth of July and year-round. Last year, a 15-year-old Kentucky boy picked up what he thought was a smoke bomb, and seriously injured his hand. The boy and his friends were playing with fireworks in his backyard. A mortar firework exploded in his left hand and caused severe damages and the loss of multiple fingers. He has undergone six surgeries including a surgery that removed one of his toes to replace a finger. The boy is recovering well and is speaking out about the danger of fireworks. While this incident did not happen on the Fourth of July, it is similar to thousands of injuries that occur throughout the year. According to the 2015 Consumer Product Safety Commission, 12,000 people visit the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries and 11 people died, making it the highest numbers in 15 years.
Remember, never set off a firework in your hand. Even sparklers reach temperatures close to 2,000 degrees. The St. Louis law firm of Meyerkord & Kurth would like to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July and remind everyone to be safe and responsible while shooting off fireworks. We see hundred of people with various injuries every year, and we know the devastation of pain and suffering. Shooting off fireworks does not just happen on Independence Day. The use of fireworks will continue throughout the year and we want to remind everyone to be careful. If you have a personal injury legal question, contact our downtown office today.