We here at Folkman Law want to to wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. While Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to share with family, it is also a time when many people are seriously injured. Often, these injuries are caused by the negligent or reckless behavior of others. Below are common causes of injuries on Thanksgiving. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact Folkman Law today.
Car Crashes
Thanksgiving tops the list of busiest travel seasons in the U.S. The increase in traffic on the highways also comes with an increase in travel-related car accidents. More deaths take place on the road on Thanksgiving Day than any other holiday, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Millions of travelers across the country will be hitting the road this Thanksgiving. AAA forecasts that more than 54 million Americans will be driving more than 50 miles from home this year. Road congestion and travelers in a rush — combined with alcohol consumption — are to blame for these deaths.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Thanksgiving is a time of family gatherings and group celebrations. During Thanksgiving, you may be injured in a slip and fall incidents in another’s home, a restaurant, a grocery store, or a retail location. Because grocery stores and retail locations can become crowded and extremely busy this season, it may be difficult for staff to clean spills promptly. Slip and fall injuries range from minor bruising to severe bone, muscle, and nerve damage.
Burns
Burns are common injury at Thanksgiving. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. Additional activity and guests can cause the kitchen can become hectic. Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire death. The number one safety tip is to never pour water on grease fires; this will cause the grease to spread and splatter, increasing the risk of getting burned. People are also injured while attempting to put out cooking fires and flare ups. While minor burns may be treated with burn cream and a loose bandage, for anything that blisters or bubbles, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can be a problem during Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving meal is the largest many cooks will prepare that year. Improper cooking, handling, or storage of food may cause food poisoning. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides some Thanksgiving safe food-handling tips, including:
- Keeping raw turkey separated from all other foods at all times;
- Using separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils when handling raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination;
- Cooking the turkey until it reaches 165 °F, as measured by a food thermometer; and
- Refrigerating leftovers within two hours to prevent bacteria from growing on the food.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Folkman Law are committed to pursuing justice and compensation for victims of negligence. Contact us online or call 856-354-9444 to schedule a free consultation. Our offices are in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and we serve clients from the surrounding areas.
