Man Awarded Damages For Faulty Fireworks

One man’s legal struggle for justice has finally come to a close.

RÚV reports that the story began on New Year’s Eve of 2013. The man in question lit a firework rocket he purchased from the company E-þjónustan, which launched without incident, for the most part.

However, one of the explosive balls in the rocket fell to earth. The man picked up the ball, with the intention of throwing it away, when it exploded in his hand.

The man sought payment from his insurance company, but his claim was denied, so he took the matter to court.

Reykjavík District Court ruled that while the man had been irresponsible in picking up the unexploded device – not least of all while holding a cigar in his other hand – they also ruled that the firework itself was defective. As such, they awarded the man 2/3 damages.

Fireworks can be purchased from licensed sellers around the country every New Year’s Eve and, as alcohol is often involved in the holiday, fireworks-related injuries are not uncommon.