Previous Salt Lake City Firework Statistics and Forecasts
Online, June 24, 2014 (Newswire.com) - America is the only country where people demonstrate their national pride by getting drunk and playing with explosives. To put this more venerably, the 4th of July symbolizes and celebrates America's attainment of independence from Great Britain: the same independence and autonomy that allows us to play with fire for one day every year, no matter how dire the consequences may be. The other countries of the World sit back and whisper to one another, "those Americans and their preoccupation with explosions." With the nation gearing up for the impending firework fiasco, personal injury attorneys, particularly in dryer and hotter states like Utah, are bracing themselves for the milieu of ridiculous cases that may reach their desks. In particular, Adams Davis PC, a personal injury firm in Salt Lake City, is expecting to see many firework accident cases this season. If someone is negligent while handling fireworks, they could be held responsible for others' injuries.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that 2013 was an ambiguous year for 4th of July injuries: 25 percent were "unspecified", perhaps due to the consumers' embarrassment. Although most firework manufacturers are not to blame for typical firework injuries on the 4th of July, this is America, and people will always want some form of reimbursement for losses -- even for losses that were entirely their fault. However, as illustrated above, Americans will need to be more transparent about their injuries and avoid hiding in embarrassment if they have any shot of securing compensation for injuries.
The CPSC also reports that one gender saw most of the injuries in 2013: males accounted for 74 percent of injuries. Men ages 25 to 44 suffered the bulk of those injuries. Since Utah is a haven for young couples, men in this state, if they follow last year's national trends, will experience some accidents.
In 2011, a new batch of fireworks became legal under state law, adding potential for increased injury. The law, partially devised to keep firework spending in state and serve local vendors, enabled the distribution of "aerial repeaters," which skyrocket up to 150 feet into the air. These newly minted fireworks contributed to the 512 Utah emergency room visits the past five years.
Along with a new batch of acceptable fireworks, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the 2011 firework law amendments allowed, and still allow, consumers to launch fireworks between June 27th and July 26th. Prior to the new amendment, fireworks could only be launched from July 4th to July 24th.
Be safe, take responsibility, and make good use of the extended launch dates, but do not expect a personal injury attorney to pay for your poor judgment.