New Mexico is one of the more restrictive states when it comes to legal fireworks sold to the public. However, there are still many firework-related injuries that occur each year, particularly in the month surrounding the July 4th holiday.
These injuries happen in neighborhoods, at family gatherings or even when professionals are working. You need only look at the injuries recently suffered by firefighters at a fireworks storage facility at the Roswell International Air Center to know how dangerous they can be.
Safe and sane is the law
While laws vary throughout the state, all large fireworks displays are prohibited unless they are approved by the local fire department. Las Cruces, Doña Ana County and Santa Fe have had so-called “safe and sane” ordinances, which prohibit the use of virtually all aerial and firecracker devices. Moreover, law enforcement will fine those caught popping off illegal fireworks.
When someone else’s negligent firework use causes harm
The injured individual or an injured child’s parents should contact an experienced personal injury attorney if the incident involved negligence by others. Severe burns are a common injury, and mortar shells and other large devices can permanently injure victims. There are even rare incidents of loss of life. Victims of personal injury may be owed compensation for time away from work, permanent or long-term injury, as well as property damage.