For many, the most wonderful time of the year can turn into the most painful time of the year due to holiday accidents. Holiday Accidents come in all shapes and sizes, from the comical falling of the Christmas tree to fatal auto accidents. In this blog, I’ll outline some of the most common reasons people seek medical attention during the holidays and let you know how a Virginia personal injury attorney can help you if you are injured in an accident that was not your fault.
1. Falls
As a general rule, emergency rooms see an uptick in slip and fall related injuries during the winter months. Some of those occur on slippery walkways while many others occur inside the victims home. When the holidays roll around, the risk of falling increases. Some falls occur while people are hanging decorations from rooftops, while others occur when visiting stores and other people’s homes. As a personal injury attorney, I urge you to take these simple steps to protect yourself from dangerous slip and fall accidents this holiday season.
- Be sure that all walk ways are free of slippery ice and well lit.
- When using a ladder, be sure to have another adult stabilize the ladder and assist with handling decorations.
- Remove small throw rugs from your home.
- Be sure that toys are not left on the floor.
- Watch where you are walking, many slip and fall accidents are due to distraction.
- If extension cords are placed over walkways, be certain they are well-marked.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the most notable holiday for accidental fires, followed by Christmas and Christmas Eve. Over 19% of the fires that occur on these holidays are caused by cooking equipment that was placed too close to holiday decorations including the Christmas tree. Home candles are also more widely used during the holidays and often cause accidental fires when left unattended. As a Virginia personal injury attorney, I have represented victims who have suffered the devastating effects of severe burns and accidental fires. I urge you to take these special precautions to prevent accidental fires this Christmas season.
- Eliminate of minimize the use of all candles. Consider battery operated, flameless candles instead.
- If you have a live tree, water it daily. A dry tree will burn in seconds.
- Do not hang decorations near cooking equipment or stoves.
- If using a fireplace, be sure the chimney has been swept.
- When the fireplace is in use, be sure to use a screen to prevent embers from sparking an accidental fire.
3. Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are exactly the type of holiday memory that no one wants. Even though our country was locked down this time last year and fewer people traveled for the holidays, an estimated 340 people died Christmas day on our country’s roadways. In my work, as a Virginia Personal Injury Attorney, I meet with victims and victims’ families of car accidents every day. Injuries from auto accidents can have devastating, lifelong effects. Please follow these safety tips when traveling to see loved ones this holiday season.
- Avoid driving drowsy.
- Do not drive drunk.
- Minimize driver distraction by placing cell phones in a purse behind the seat or in the center console.
- Pay attention to weather conditions and adjust speed to match road conditions.
- Maintain a safe following distance.
- Prepare for your trip by packing an emergency kit, checking tire pressure, cleaning your windshield and making sure your lights and wipers are in good working order.
- Always buckle up.
4. Food Poisoning
Unfortunately, many people present to emergency rooms every year with some kind of foodborne illness. Many holiday recipes contain raw eggs, and often meat is served undercooked or left out too long on the buffet. Keep these safe cooking tips in mind when preparing your holiday feast.
- Keep foods apart. When preparing a variety of meat dishes, be sure to separate poultry, beef, pork and seafood. Do not let them touch during cold storage or preparation. Be to use different knives and cutting boards when handling raw foods and always wash your hands thoroughly.
- Get a reliable food thermometer and use it.
- Always keep hot food hot and cold food cold. When food is allowed to linger in temps between 40 degrees and 140 degrees, bacteria will begin to grow rapidly on the food’s surface.
- Love egg nog, tiramisu and Ceasar dressing? You may want to pass. These foods are made with raw eggs and they can increase your risk of suffering from a salmonella infection. If you can’t resist, try using pasteurized eggs or try out an eggless recipe.
- Steer clear of raw cookie dough or cake batter.
- Plan ahead and thaw foods safely. Meats, seafood and poultry should never be left on the counter to thaw.
- Wash your hands after handling raw meats, changing diapers, petting animals, using the restroom or shaking hands with others.
5. Heavy Lifting
Over 55,000 people sought medical care for lower back, shoulder and neck injuries associated with lifting heavy suitcases. Many of the clients at my personal injury law firm suffer similarly from injuries they sustained in car accidents. Remember, no matter how a back injury occurs it can cause a serious disruption to one’s life. Be sure to lift safely and keep these tips in mind.
- Ask for help. Your teenage nieces and nephews are able bodied. Let them do the heavy lifting.
- If help is not available, be sure to lift with your legs and not your back. Stand very close to the suitcase, bend with your knees and lower your body until you are able to reach the handle, keeping the bag close to your body, straighten your legs and bring the bag up with your body. Never bend from the waist to pick up a heavy suitcase.
- When lifting a bag into an overhead bin, be sure to ask for help, especially if you cannot see into the bin. If it very common for objects to be knocked out of the bin and fall on fellow passengers causing injury.
What Can a Virginia Personal Injury Attorney Do for You?
If you have been injured in a serious accident that was not your fault, you should call a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. During our consultation, I will listen to your story and I will ask you about the medical treatment you’ve received and how the accident has affected your work and family life. We’ll talk frankly, and I will advise you on whether you have a case that I would pursue or if I think you need a lawyer at all. Therefore, you have nothing to lose and only peace of mind to gain.
