Lawsuit alleges firework that injured KY basketball player was ‘unreasonably dangerous’
A firework that injured a Kentucky high school basketball player in July exploded before he even touched the wick to light it, according to a federal lawsuit.
The complaint in federal court this month alleges the flammable rocket was defective and unreasonably dangerous.
The lawsuit identifies the person hurt in the incident only by the initials R.C. because he is a minor, but the facts and allegations match an incident last July 4 involving Reggie Cottrell, a starter on the Harlan County High School team who was runner-up in the UK HealthCare Boys’ Sweet 16 state tournament last March.
Cottrell suffered severe injuries to one of his hands. Doctors had to amputate one of his fingers and take off part of two other fingers, his sister, Lexie Cottrell, said on Facebook at the time.
The plaintiff in the lawsuit is Teresa Napier, as R.C.’s guardian.
The lawsuit is against Crazy Carl’s Fireworks and Super Fireworks in Bean Station, Tenn. Crazy Carl’s owns Super Fireworks, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit includes a picture of a firework the businesses allegedly sells called a Thunderdome flammable rocket, which the suit says is what injured R.C.
The lawsuit alleges the fireworks have “unidentifiable manufacturing origins” and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating to try to find out where they were made and how they got into the country because of their “defective and unreasonably dangerous condition.”
R.C. had positioned one of the flammable rockets upright July 4, but was not holding it.
As he reached to light it, it blew up before the wick had ignited and before he could move away, the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit argues the rocket was made using inferior materials and processes.
At the time they sold the device, Crazy Carl’s and Super Fireworks knew, or should have known, it originated from questionable sources, with no way to identify the maker or verify if it was safe, the lawsuit argues.
The businesses allegedly “prioritized profits over public safety” by selling the product anyway.
R.C. suffered physical and mental injury, pain, mental anguish, loss of the capacity to enjoy life and medical and rehabilitation expenses, the lawsuit says. It seeks an unspecified amount of damages, but says the figure exceeds $75,000.
Crazy Carl’s did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Attorneys with Morgan & Morgan, Shea W. Conley in Lexington and Christopher Leger in Orlando, Fla., filed the lawsuit Nov. 22 for Napier and R.C.
