The 4th of July is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Families gather, barbecues sizzle, music plays, and the night ends with the sky lighting up in a burst of fireworks. But while fireworks are beautiful to watch, they’re also dangerous and every year, thousands of people across the country are injured during 4th of July celebrations.
In Los Angeles, where neighborhoods often take fireworks into their own hands, firework-related injuries spike dramatically over the holiday weekend. But what happens if you or someone you love gets hurt? Who’s responsible for those injuries? And can you seek compensation?
Here’s a guide to firework injury liability in California, including who may be held responsible, what legal options are available, and what you should do if you’re hurt this Independence Day.
The Reality of Firework Injuries
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fireworks cause over 11,000 injuries every year, with a large percentage of them occurring in the first week of July. These injuries range from minor burns to severe trauma, such as:
- Hand and finger amputations
- Eye injuries and blindness
- Facial burns
- Hearing loss
- Third-degree burns
- Emotional trauma, especially in children
And it’s not just the people lighting fireworks that get hurt. Spectators, nearby children, and even pets can be victims of poorly managed or illegal fireworks.
Are Fireworks Legal in Los Angeles?
In most of Los Angeles County, personal fireworks are illegal, including the “safe and sane” ones sold in other California cities. The only legal fireworks displays are those authorized and permitted by the city or county and handled by licensed professionals.
Why this matters: If someone sets off fireworks illegally and causes an injury or fire, they may be civilly and even criminally liable regardless of intent
Common Firework Injury Scenarios & Who's Liable
Let’s walk through the most common situations where firework injuries happen, and who could be held responsible.
1. Injured at a Private Party or BBQ
If you’re at someone’s house and they decide to launch fireworks, legal or not, and you get injured, they could be held personally liable. Homeowners have a legal duty to ensure their guests are safe.
If the host:
- Allowed guests to handle fireworks
- Didn’t supervise minors
- Didn’t maintain safe distances
- Used fireworks without a permit
...they may be considered negligent, and you may be able to file a personal injury claim against their homeowner’s insurance policy.
2. Injured in a Public Place (Parks, Beaches, Streets)
If fireworks were set off in a public place (especially if illegal), it could involve multiple layers of liability:
- The person lighting them could be held personally responsible
- If a city or municipality knew about illegal activity and didn’t intervene, they may also be partially liable
- If someone was injured due to defective fireworks, the manufacturer or distributor could also be named in a claim
3. Injured at a City-Sponsored or Professional Fireworks Show
Even professional shows go wrong. If a firework misfires, falls into the crowd, or a barricade isn’t properly secured, injuries can happen fast.
In these cases, liability could fall on:
- The event organizers
- The fireworks display company
- The city or county, if they didn’t follow proper safety procedures
These cases often involve government entities, which means shorter deadlines and specific claim procedures something Esther The Lawyer is highly experienced in navigating. You typically have only 6 months to file a claim in California under the Tort Claims Act
4. Injured by a Defective Firework
Sometimes the person lighting the firework does everything right but the firework itself malfunctions.
This could involve:
- Fireworks exploding prematurely
- Launching sideways or backward
- Causing fires or unexpected injuries
In this case, the firework may be defective, and the manufacturer, importer, or retailer may be held liable under product liability law.
What If a Child Is Injured?
Children are the most common victims of firework injuries, especially burns to the hands, face, and eyes.
If your child is injured:
- At someone’s home, the homeowner could be liable
- At a public place, you may be able to pursue a third-party injury claim
- If the injury was caused by another child, the parents of that child may also be responsible
When children are involved, courts often look more closely at supervision, environment, and foreseeable risk, especially on a holiday like July 4th, where alcohol and chaos are usually present.
Can You Sue for Firework Injuries?
Yes. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for:
A personal injury claim can help cover:
- Medical bills (ER visits, surgeries, rehab, medication)
- Lost wages or missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring or disability
- Emotional distress
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of injury, but for government-related claims, it may be as short as 6 months.
Injured By Fireworks? Here's What To Do
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you think your injuries are minor, get checked out. Burns and trauma can worsen over time. - Document the Scene
Take photos of where the injury happened, the fireworks involved, and any visible injuries. Get witness info if possible. - Report the Incident
Call the police or file a report with the city if illegal fireworks were involved. This creates a paper trail for your case. - Do Not Sign Anything
If someone’s homeowner insurance or lawyer reaches out, don’t agree to anything until you speak with an attorney. - Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
An experienced lawyer like Esther The Lawyer can help you investigate the case, file claims, and deal with insurance adjusters while you focus on healing.
Firework Injury Stats to Know (Especially in LA)
- In California, firework-related injuries spike 70% during the first week of July
- Over 40% of those injured are under the age of 15
- Los Angeles sees one of the highest emergency room admissions for firework burns and trauma in the state
- Many injuries involve illegal fireworks like mortars, rockets, and aerial shells
How Esther The Lawyer Can Help
Firework injury cases are complex. They may involve multiple liable parties, confusing insurance policies, and even government claims. Whether you were injured in East LA, West Hollywood, Long Beach, or the Valley, Esther The Lawyer understands how to navigate the city’s legal landscape and fight for what you deserve.
When you work with Esther The Lawyer, you’re getting:
- A legal team that speaks both English and Spanish fluently
- A firm that knows how to handle accident-related injuries
- Compassionate, straightforward communication
- Experience with homeowner claims, product liability, and city-level injury cases
🎆 Don’t Let a Firework Injury Ruin Your Life - You Have Options
If you or a loved one were injured by fireworks this 4th of July, you may be entitled to compensation. The sooner you talk to a personal injury lawyer, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Let Esther The Lawyer guide you through your options and help you get the care, clarity, and compensation you need to move forward.
Injured? Call Esther The Lawyer
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https://fire.lacounty.gov/fireworks-safety-and-july-4th-celebration-information/
https://lasd.org/firework-safety/
