Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year. This is a great time to gather with family, friends and loved ones. However, it is also a time for injuries and accidents. Each person has a legal duty of care for your wellbeing and that they do not breach that care in some way. Injuries caused by the negligence of other party can lead to personal injury lawsuits. Personal injury lawyers can help injured victims to seek justice for their injuries. Attorneys require evidences such as medical records, related photographs, evidence statements etc, to prove the negligence. Professional medical record review is critical for lawyers to establish that the injury was caused by another party’s negligence.
Common Thanksgiving Accidents
Car Accidents
According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Thanksgiving holiday sees an increase in crashes and fatalities. During Thanksgiving, there is increased congestion on the road, as many are travelling at the same time. Alcohol consumption is one of the major reasons for car accidents.
Make sure to plan ahead and travel earlier to make sure everyone makes it to the table safely.
To avoid car accidents this Thanksgiving,
- Drive at a safe speed
- Don’t drive distracted
- Avoid texting and driving
- Wear seatbelts properly
- Follow all speed limits
Fires and Burns
Cooking-related accidents are quite common during Thanksgiving. Turkey fryer is the biggest culprit. Left unattended, this equipment can cause property damages, even a house fire. Burns can also occur from improperly cooking a turkey or scalding with a pot of boiling potatoes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 45 percent of home fire injuries and one-fifth of home fire deaths are caused by cooking accidents.
- Cook your turkey outside
- Follow the turkey fryer instructions
- Keep children away from burner and hot drinks
- Remember to wear protective gloves
- Keep flammable items outside the kitchen
- Never leave the fryer unattended
Slip and Falls
Busy holiday season can also keep grocery stores busy. Customer’s crowd in fighting for last-minute items can lead to slip and fall hazards and injuries. Accidents can also occur while visiting relatives or friend’s homes due to uneven floor surfaces, poor lighting, clutter, wet flooring, poor housekeeping, and even untidy landscaping. Most injuries require medical attention.
- Avoid visiting overcrowded shopping centers
- Stay safe from unlit areas
- Wear comfortable shoes with good traction
- Keep your floor clean and dry
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is common during the Thanksgiving season. Handling raw turkey improperly and its germ contamination, and improper storage of leftovers can cause family and friends to become ill after consumption. Foodborne illness can also occur from mashed potatoes that are left at room temperature for too long, and stuffing that is prone to the development of pathogenic bacteria.
To prevent food poisoning,
- Store turkey properly
- Cook thoroughly in a safe temperature
- Reheat all leftovers before serving or eating
With support from medical review companies, personal injury attorneys can help victim’s insurance claims approved and negotiate a settlement that compensates for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
MOS Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving
Our team at MOS hopes you’ll keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy a restful Thanksgiving holiday. We are experienced in providing error-free medical review services for personal injury attorneys, who work with injury victims to get the compensation they deserve.
