Floating Fireworks- dateline, Panama City, Florida
In a prior article I wrote about the hazards and perils associated with fireworks displays over water and, as an example of life imitating art, an unexploded fireworks shell was found floating in the waters off Tyndall Air Force Base. The date of discovery is July 24th, meaning that the shell had been floating for at least 20 days. The shell was discovered by civilians and turned over to the military for further investigation. While no one was injured, thankfully, the responsibility to warn of clear and certain dangers associated with display shells seemingly lies with the operator; the reality is that fireworks displays over water present a unique set of concerns regarding post-display clean-up and inspections.
Homeowner’s Coverage May Not Cover All Perils- dateline, Michigan
In Michigan, the Court of Appeals affirmed a Circuit Court decision that ruled that a homeowner’s insurance policy is not broad enough to require the carrier to provide a defense to the policyholder, notwithstanding that a fireworks display causing injuries was conducted by a business that the policyholder also owned and operated. The failure to obtain liability insurance for the business caused the individual to look for coverage from both his homeowner’s policy and an umbrella policy. Interestingly, the two policies were issued by different carriers and, while each had initially declined coverage and commenced separate declaratory actions to obtain a court order affirming same, the umbrella policy carrier ultimately provided a defense (with the expectation of ultimately recovering these costs from the underlying liability carrier, an event that never occurred as a result of the court’s ruling that the homeowner’s policy did not apply to the claim).
Community Gunshot Detection System Snares Bottle Rockets- dateline Nassau County, New York
In Nassau County, New York, juveniles discharging bottle rockets into the air caused a newly installed gunshot detection system to alert authorities and, ultimately, arrest a youth possessing an unloaded antique, Spanish-made flintlock pistol. The gunshot detection system uses microphones to report gunfire to police headquarters. Strange but true, the arrest was the first resulting from the use of the gunshot detection system, albeit for unlawful dealing in fireworks; while no charge for unlawful weapons possession, the reason for the gunshot detection system, was pursued since the gun seized was deemed too old.
