Can I Set Off Fireworks on My Commercial Property?
In anticipation of the Fourth of July, you may plan how to get festive this holiday. If you own commercial property, your one thought may be to host a fireworks show for the general public to enjoy. However, we strongly urge you to research local laws surrounding sparkling devices and fireworks on top of your insurance company’s fire policy. With all that being said, please continue reading to learn whether you can set off fireworks on your commercial property and how one of the experienced New York City commercial fire damage insurance claim attorneys at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C. can step in should an accident arise.
Can I set off fireworks on my commercial property in New York?
Generally speaking, dangerous fireworks, such as bottle rockets and roman candles, are illegal across New York State. If you wish to use fireworks for a commercial event, you first need to obtain a permit, likely from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) if your property is in New York City. Even with a permit, though, there are strict parameters for what activities you can and cannot do.
As far as sparkling devices go, they may be prohibited in New York City, Long Island, and other counties. Even if they are permitted in your jurisdiction, this may be only within certain timeframes. Namely, between the dates of December 26 and January 2 and June 1 to July 5.
Overall, you must understand the hazardous nature of these items. So, before you go through all this hassle, you must ask yourself whether it is worth putting yourself and your commercial property at risk for such a fleeting moment.
What happens if fireworks cause a fire on my commercial property?
If your use of sparklers or fireworks is attributable to illegal activity, your insurance company may have little to no sympathy for any subsequent fire damage on your commercial property. In other words, you may be ineligible to collect a financial payout to recover your property damage.
However, this may be a different story if you had no hand in a firework accident. That is, if an owner of a neighboring property hosted a commercial event, and one of their fireworks was shot, landed, and exploded on your property. If this is your case, you have a considerable burden of proof owed to your insurance company. The same goes if you instead decide to pursue a third-party accident lawsuit against your negligent neighbor.
Here, you should also consider the possibility of a business interruption claim with your insurance, if applicable. Nonetheless, to give yourself enough time to develop a solid case, please be sure to get in touch with one of the skilled New York commercial insurance claim denial attorneys from The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C. as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.
