 The holidays are truly a wonderful time of year when family and friends come together, relax and enjoy each other’s company. Millions of Americans travel by air and road to see loved ones during this time. We hang colorful lights and decorate our homes to get in the spirit of the holidays. However, a serious accident or injury can change a family’s mood from celebration to sadness or stress. There are a number of accidents that can occur during the holidays that may result in serious injuries, hospitalizations and unexpected medical expenses. It is a good idea to be aware of these types of dangers and avoid mishaps.
Common Accidents and Injuries
Here are the five most common types of accidents and injuries that can occur during the holidays:
- Falls: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that approximately 15,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for falls off ladders while hanging decorations. There are also other types of slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents that occur as we go out shopping, visiting friends and family or just head out to see decorations in neighborhoods. A white Christmas in New York City may lead to a number of slip-and-fall accidents on snow or ice. It is crucial for property owners and managers to take special care during the holiday season when there is usually more foot traffic.
- Car accidents: Car accidents, particularly those involving drunk drivers, are frequent during the holidays. With so many people traveling during the time, roads and highways can become significantly more congested. In addition to the increased volume of traffic on the roads, we also tend to have more drunk drivers during the holiday season. Weather and poor visibility due to snow or rain can also pose significant challenges to drivers. We see more incidents involving distracted or fatigued driving during the holidays as well.
- Fires: Candles top the list of fire hazards during the holidays and other times of the year causing 12,000 fires annually leading to 150 deaths and scores of burn injuries. Homes and apartments must be properly equipped with fire alarms, smoke alarms and sprinkler systems, as well as carbon monoxide alarms to ensure the safety of everyone in the dwelling. It is critical that landlords and property managers check all systems to make sure they are in working condition especially during the holiday season when there is an increased risk of fires.
- Food poisoning: What are the holidays without delicious food? It’s a time when we prepare a variety of foods at home. Many of us also eat out at office parties and with family members and friends. However, it’s also a time when a number of people suffer from food-borne illnesses. While some food poisoning cases can be harmless, more severe cases can land you in the hospital or even leave you with long-term health problems. Some types of food-borne illnesses may result in kidney failure or even death.
- Toy-related injuries: With the holiday shopping season upon us, it is important to take note of the presence of dangerous and defective toys on store shelves. In 2015, there were 25 toy recalls. In 2014, the CPSC estimated that there were 183,800 toy-related injuries and 11 fatalities.
Compensation for Victims
Depending on what caused the accident or injuries, victims can seek compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault or negligent parties. For example, if you slipped and fell in a mall on spilled liquid that wasn’t cleaned up in time, you can file a claim against the property owner and/or property manager, etc. seeking compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. Similarly, if you suffered food poisoning after eating at a restaurant that served tainted food, you can seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, permanent injuries, past and future, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.WORK4YOULAW.com