A Chicago man is suing the operators of the Krazy Dan's fireworks stand in Indiana, saying they should pay after he was injured by a firecracker he purchased from them that allegedly exploded too quickly.
On Feb. 20, plaintiff Jemarco Ferguson filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against KDF Seasonal Inc., an Indiana corporation which operates Krazy Dan's Fireworks.
The suit alleges that Ferguson was severely injured by a firecracker he purchased from the company in June 2022.
Ferguson claims that the firework, a "2' Artillery Rocket KS1012," was incorrectly labeled as being consumer-grade and did not meet the specifications set by the American Pyrotechnics Association. The rocket was allegedly overfilled with blast powder and did not meet federal and state agency specifications for blast powder content.
The plaintiff also alleges that Krazy Dan's Fireworks sold him the rocket knowing it was overloaded and potentially dangerous. He accuses the company of subjecting the rocket to unreasonably high temperatures during storage and failing to store it adequately or properly.
As a result of the explosion, Ferguson claims to have sustained severe and permanent injuries, both externally and internally.
Ferguson is seeking judgment against KDF of more than $50,000 plus prejudgment interest and court costs.
Fireworks are illegal to own and detonate for personal use in Illinois.
Ferguson is represented by attorney Matthew Friedman, of Ankin Law Office, of Chicago.