TRUMBULL COUNTY Hubbard is named in suits filed for fireworks injuries

No hearing dates have been set.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Lawsuits have been filed against the city of Hubbard and numerous others defendants by two women who say they were injured during the Hubbard Founder's Day fireworks demonstration nearly two years ago.
Tracy Ann Mroski of Mock Street and Marjorie E. Bucci of Fox Street filed separate suits Friday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court stating they were injured during the July 21, 2002, fireworks demonstration at Harding Park in Hubbard.
Hearing dates have not been set, according to Atty. Richard Bush, who along with Atty. Richard A. Abrams filed the suits.
Van Burnett of Ravenna, Keystone Fireworks and Specialty Sales Co. of Dunbar, Pa., James Belcher III of Thundering Pyrotechnics of Akron, the city, Hubbard Township, the Hubbard Volunteer Fire Department, Hubbard Township Park board, George Praznik, a trustee of Hubbard Community Fireworks Fund, Hubbard Community Fireworks Fund and 20 unknown parties are named as defendants.
Praznik declined to comment. Attempts to reach the other defendants were not successful.
The lawsuits both say the plaintiffs are seeking more than $25,000 in damages.
The accident
Mroski and Bucci attended the fireworks exhibition at the park, and during the display one or more of the fireworks exploded into the crowd of spectators.
Mroski and Bucci said their injuries, which included severe burns and scarring, were caused by the defendants' negligence in failing to require, obtain, review or provide appropriate and required site plans for the exhibition, and failing to properly monitor the exhibition.
Because of the injuries, Burnett, owner of Burnett Display Co. in Ravenna, was sentenced to 60 days in jail. He also was fined $2,000, placed on two years' probation, and had his state exhibitor's license revoked permanently.
sinkovich@vindy.com