Three Common Thanksgiving Accidents

Thanksgiving is around the corner and we’re all excited to spend time with our loved ones. While the family and feasting may be at the forefront of our minds, there are some accidents that are more likely to happen during this time of year. Let’s explore a few of the more common ones and how to address them if they do happen to you.

Burns

From candles to unattended ovens and Christmas lights, house fires are more common during the holiday season.

In recent years, serving up deep-fried turkeys has become increasingly popular. Although the end-product can be satisfying, these friers can put you and your family into dangerous situations. Deep friers hold gallons of oil. When there’s too much oil in the pot, it can explode, resulting in severe burns and even damage to surrounding property. Depending on how big the explosion is and how close it is to your home, it can start a house fire.

Some other threats posed by the use of deep friers include burns due to oil splashes. This can occur when water is introduced into the mix. For instance, if the turkey is not properly defrosted before being placed in the oil, splashes may occur, causing burns on any skin or property it may touch.

Lastly, if the deep frier is not properly secured, it can be knocked over and cause burns or a fire.

Car Accidents

During the holiday season, people are flying and driving in from across the world to see their family members. This translates to more people driving on our roads, sometimes unfamiliar with the flow of traffic or inclement weather like we have in New York. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found the week of Thanksgiving to be the deadliest time of the year to drive. In 2012, it yielded the most fatal car crashes of all the holidays – 764 to be exact.

Food Poisoning

The last thing we want to think about during a Thanksgiving feast is food poisoning. Unfortunately, it is quite common, often due to undercooked turkey. In most cases, food poisoning resolves quickly but can cause serious health complications. If so, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills. If you have been injured, call the Gropper Law Group at 212.366.4600 for legal assistance.