Decorating, giving gifts, and spending time with family are holiday traditions; hiring a personal injury attorney is not. However, many hazards can spoil the most festive time of the year. Accidents may lead to serious injuries or worse. If you’ve been injured due to another person’s or entity’s fault or negligence, The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani can help win a settlement that compensates for your losses.
To stay safe this holiday season, be aware of these top 10 hazards that may require calling a personal injury lawyer:
1. Dog Bites: An unexpected danger during the holidays, dog bites are common because pets can be overwhelmed by unfamiliar people and loud noises. A dog can feel threatened, fearful, or uncomfortable around strangers. Children who don’t know how to safely interact with a dog can trigger defensive behavior. The presence of copious amounts of food can also make a dog more aggressive.
You can reduce the risk by keeping dogs in a quiet room, explaining to guests how to interact with them, or offering toys, treats, and other distractions to calm your pet. Being attentive to an animal’s demeanor is also important (act accordingly if it seems agitated). Otherwise, friends and family members may be at risk of dog bite injuries that can include:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Infections
- Psychological trauma
2. Slips and Falls: Snow, ice, and rain can cause slippery conditions that lead to a slip and fall, which can result in cuts, broken bones, and head injuries. Take your time when out shopping for gifts and groceries. Rushing from one store to another or to and from home or a holiday gathering can get you in trouble. Slip and fall accidents also occur on wet floors in stores, areas of poor lighting (indoors and outdoors), and staircases with missing handrails.
The exact cause of your slip and fall accident can help your personal injury attorney determine who is liable for it.
3. Car Accidents: Auto accidents occur more frequently around major holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. One reason is there are so many more people driving. Distracted drivers, traveling on unfamiliar roads, and spending long hours behind the wheel increase the risk of car accidents, as does driving under the influence of alcohol. The high volume of delivery trucks (FedEx, UPS, Amazon, etc.) and drivers rushing to deliver packages on time are also contributing factors.
However, you can protect yourself or avoid an accident with the following safety tips:
- Have your vehicle serviced by a qualified mechanic.
- Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.
- Wear your seatbelt for the entire trip.
- Use car seats designed for use by children.
- Avoid driving after dark, when the risk of accidents is higher.
4. Burn Injuries: Burns can occur due to holiday cooking mishaps. Preparing a deep-fried turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and other common holiday delicacies takes time and effort. You can prevent burn injuries by taking it slow, keeping children out of the kitchen, using the back burners, and ensuring pot handles face inward.
Candle-related fires are also prevalent during the holiday season. Candles can easily ignite clothing and other flammable materials. Electrical fires are a risk as well; avoid overloading outlets and don’t use an extension cord that appears damaged. Electrical and lighting issues are top contributors to Christmas tree fires (to prevent one, address any equipment issues before setting up the tree).
First- and second-degree burns can usually be treated by running cool water over the injury, applying a moisturizer, and covering it with sterile gauze. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention.
5. Falling from Heights: Hanging holiday decorations often requires using a ladder or accessing the roof. Climbing and working on a ladder is dangerous if you’re not careful. To avoid injury, make sure the ladder is secure, in good condition, and on level ground before using it. Also, ask someone to hold it steady as you’re working. A fall from even a few feet can cause a serious injury. Going on the roof can be even more dangerous, as a mishap can result in falling from a height and sustaining major, potentially fatal, injuries.
6. Defective Products: A product liability claim can be complex, so it helps to consult a personal injury attorney. Most people don’t consider whether a gift is defective. But if it is, it can be dangerous.
The nature of a product defect can range from design issues to low-quality materials to missing or inadequate warnings or false advertising. Defective toys, gadgets, personal care products, kitchen tools, and other items can cause serious injuries. Depending on the issue, a product liability claim can be filed against a manufacturer, retailer, or marketing company.
7. Pedestrian Accidents: With so many holiday decorations and displays, there’s much to see. Walking to and from holiday events can be hazardous. Whether you jaywalk instead of using a crosswalk, trip over damaged pavement, or are hit by a driver not paying attention or obeying traffic laws, a pedestrian accident can cause serious injuries. Such accidents are common around public events or near shopping centers. To lower the risk, always be attentive to your surroundings.
8. Fires Associated with Holiday Decorations: A dried-out Christmas tree is a fire hazard. Candles, open flames, and other heat sources can ignite flammable materials such as tinsel, paper garlands, and dry wreaths. Defective lights, electronic ornaments, and wiring can spark, overheat, or catch fire too.
To protect yourself and others from fires, take the following precautions:
- Keep live trees properly watered (the larger the tree, the more water it needs daily).
- Use fire and flame-resistant ornaments.
- Place candles in sturdy holders, on a flat surface, and away from flammable items.
- Inspect holiday lights for damaged bulbs and wiring before use.
- Fasten light strands securely; use insulated hooks or nails when necessary.
9. Toy-Related Injuries: Toys gifted to children should be appropriate for their age. Small parts can be choking hazards. Mobile toys are dangerous when used improperly; nonmotorized scooters account for a significant percentage of toy-related injuries treated in emergency departments. Therefore, supervising children when they’re using such equipment can avoid accidents and ensure everyone enjoys the holiday season.
10. Alcohol-Related Injuries: Holiday parties often involve alcohol consumption. People also often report drinking several days in a row during the holidays. Binge drinking is a concern too. Excessive drinking can lead to accidental falls, impaired driving incidents, or alcohol poisoning. Signs of it, which can be life-threatening, include confusion, vomiting, and breathing irregularities.
To avoid such issues, don’t offer a drink to a child, a minor, or anyone who is alcohol-dependent. You can also choose and offer non-alcoholic beverages during events and parties.
Injured During the Holidays? Call Jacob to Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney
We hope you have a safe holiday season by avoiding these top 10 hazards. However, accidents do happen and are often caused by negligent or reckless behavior. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani can help. We specialize in car, dog bite, slip and fall, defective product, pedestrian, premises liability, and other accidents and work with insurance companies to get the compensation you deserve.
Call (888) 952-2952 to speak to a Los Angeles personal injury attorney and receive a free consultation.