Fireworks cause serious injuries across the Des Moines Metro Area every Fourth of July. When a pyrotechnic explosion leads to catastrophic harm, a Des Moines fireworks accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help you take legal action and pursue full financial compensation.
In this Article
Overview
Fireworks accidents in Des Moines can result in severe burns, amputations, eye injuries, and other catastrophic harm. Under Iowa law, injured victims have two years to file a personal injury claim after a fireworks accident. A Des Moines fireworks accident lawyer can help you seek compensation from negligent manufacturers, retailers, or event organizers—at no upfront cost.
Are Fireworks Legal in Des Moines?
It depends on where you are and what you’re setting off. Iowa state law permits certain consumer fireworks, but the City of Des Moines enforces its own local restrictions. Des Moines prohibits the use of consumer fireworks within city limits, including in residential neighborhoods like Beaverdale, East Village, and Sherman Hill.
If you’re in Ankeny, West Des Moines, or another surrounding suburb, rules may differ. Check with your local municipality before lighting anything. Violating local ordinances can result in fines, as local laws may include municipal citations for illegal fireworks activities. Additionally, these violations can impact how liability is assigned if an accident occurs.
What Fireworks Are Legal in Iowa?
Iowa legalized consumer fireworks in 2017 under Iowa Code § 727.2. The law permits the sale and use of consumer fireworks that are compliant under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) statewide, including:
- Aerial shells and bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Ground fountains
- Firecrackers
- Sparklers
However, cities and counties retain the authority to restrict or ban fireworks within their borders. Des Moines and several Polk County municipalities have done exactly that. Even where fireworks are technically legal under state law, injuries caused by defective products or another party’s negligence can still result in a personal injury case.
How Frequently Do Fireworks Accidents Happen?
According to the CPSC, fireworks cause an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 injuries in the United States each year, with the majority occurring during the Fourth of July holiday period. Up to one-third of those injuries involve children under the age of 15.
Burns are the most common injury type, but fireworks also cause serious eye damage, hand trauma, hearing loss, and death. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks start tens of thousands of fires nationwide each year—including thousands of structure and vehicle fires. Iowa is not immune. Emergency rooms across the Des Moines Metro Area see a reliable spike in fireworks-related injuries every summer, particularly in the days surrounding July 4th.
What to Do After a Fireworks Accident
Taking the right steps immediately after a fireworks accident can protect both your health and your legal claim.
- Seek medical attention right away. Even if an injury looks minor, get evaluated. Burns, eye injuries, and blast trauma can worsen quickly without prompt treatment. Delaying medical treatment can also weaken your claim, and insurance companies may argue injuries are less serious if untreated.
- Document everything. Photograph your injuries, the fireworks device, the scene, and any visible packaging or labels. Track medical expenses and other costs.
- Preserve the product. If a defective firework caused your injury, keep the remains—do not throw anything away.
- Gather witness information. Collect names and contact details from anyone who saw what happened.
- Contact a Des Moines fireworks accident lawyer. Before speaking with any insurance company, talk to a personal injury attorney who can protect your rights and advise you on next steps.
Do I Need a Des Moines Fireworks Accident Lawyer?
Not every fireworks injury demands legal representation, but serious injuries are a different matter. If you’ve suffered a severe burn, lost a finger, or sustained permanent eye damage, the stakes are high. Insurance companies investigate these accidents carefully, and they know how to minimize payouts to unrepresented claimants.
A fireworks accident lawyer can investigate who is liable, calculate the full value of your damages, gather evidence and witness statements, handle negotiations with insurers, and take your case to court if that’s what it takes. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no money upfront unless we win: no retainers, no hourly fees, and no upfront costs.
Who Is Liable for a Fireworks Accident in Des Moines?
Liability in a fireworks accident depends on how and where the injury occurred. Multiple parties may share responsibility:
- Manufacturers—if a firework was defectively designed, manufactured, or labeled
- Retailers—if a seller provided illegal, mislabeled, or unsafe products
- Event organizers—if a public or private fireworks display (such as a show at Principal Park or Gray’s Lake Park) was managed negligently
- Property owners—if unsafe conditions on a premises contributed to the accident
- Individual users—if a person failed to maintain a safe distance, properly supervise children, or take other basic precautions
Common Causes of Fireworks Accidents
- Defective or mislabeled consumer fireworks
- Misfired or malfunctioning professional-grade devices
- Bystander injuries at public fireworks displays
- Children handling fireworks without adequate adult supervision
- Relighting duds or using illegal or modified fireworks
- Using fireworks under the influence of alcohol
Common Fireworks Accident Injuries
Fireworks accidents can cause devastating physical trauma. Victims frequently suffer:
- First-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns requiring skin grafts
- Hand and finger amputations
- Permanent facial scarring and disfigurement
- Traumatic eye injuries and blindness
- Hearing loss from blast pressure
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death, giving surviving families grounds to pursue a claim under Iowa law
What If I’m Partially to Blame for My Fireworks Accident in Des Moines?
Under Iowa’s modified comparative fault system (Iowa Code § 668.3), you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for your own injuries. Your total damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re found 20% responsible, and your total damages are $100,000, you may still recover $80,000. Don’t assume that your involvement in the incident bars you from recovering anything. An attorney can help you assess the facts and understand your options.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Fireworks Accident in Iowa?
Compensation in a fireworks accident claim typically falls into two categories:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases involving extreme negligence or recklessness, punitive damages may also be available.
How Long Do I Have to File a Fireworks Accident Claim in Iowa?
Iowa’s statute of limitations (Iowa Code § 614.1) for personal injury claims (including fireworks accidents) is two years from the date of injury. Wrongful death claims are subject to the same two-year window from the date of death.
Two years may feel like plenty of time, but evidence disappears quickly. Medical records become harder to gather. Witnesses forget details. Defective products get discarded. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was hurt in a fireworks accident in Des Moines or anywhere in the greater Polk County area, The Kryder Law Group is here to help. We’ll review your case, explain your options, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve—at no cost unless we win.
Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are frequently asked questions you may have regarding fireworks accident claims.
Can I file a lawsuit if I was injured by fireworks at a public event in Des Moines?
Yes. If negligence by an event organizer, venue owner, or pyrotechnics company contributed to your injury, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Liability depends on how the event was organized and whether proper safety measures were in place.
What if a child was injured by fireworks in Iowa?
A parent or legal guardian can file a personal injury claim on behalf of an injured minor. Iowa’s statute of limitations for minors is generally tolled (meaning it doesn’t begin to run) until the child turns 18. Even so, acting quickly helps preserve evidence and witness recollections.
Can I sue a fireworks manufacturer for a defective product in Iowa?
Yes. If a firework malfunctioned due to a design flaw, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning label, the manufacturer may be liable under Iowa product liability law—even if you used the product as directed.
Does it matter that fireworks are prohibited in the City of Des Moines?
The local ban can affect how fault is distributed, but it doesn’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your injury. The specific facts of your case matter. Get legal counsel from an attorney to understand how Des Moines ordinances apply to your situation.
How much does it cost to hire a Des Moines fireworks accident lawyer?
You owe us nothing upfront. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
What if the fireworks were set off illegally within Des Moines city limits?
The illegal use of fireworks can strengthen your case against the person who set them off. Violating a local ordinance is evidence of negligence, and an attorney can use that to help establish liability on your behalf.
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