Thanksgiving Day Injuries: When to Seek Legal Help

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to get the family and friends together for one of the best meals of the year.

Unfortunately, the hustle and bustle of the day combined with crowded homes can be a recipe for disaster — ER visits spike during the Thanksgiving Day weekend, and so do car accidents.

Not every injury this weekend will necessitate a lawyer. However, it’s crucial to know what injuries may require legal help and who to call if you or your child is severely injured during this time.

Most Common Injuries on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving brings a few somewhat unique injuries, such as:

Slip-and-Fall Injuries 

Spilled food, crowded homes, and unfamiliar steps create a unique slipping hazard. Older adults are more prone to this type of accident, but a simple fall can lead to severe injury for anyone, such as fractured wrists, concussions, slipped disks, and more.

Cuts and Burns

With so many cooks in the kitchen, there are bound to be some mishaps, but some are more severe than others. Frying oil, hot ovens, candles, large knives, and defective cooking appliances can cause deep cuts and severe burns that require ER treatment and/or hospitalization. Small children are especially vulnerable.

Food Poisoning

Undercooked turkey, stuffing, ham, and other common Thanksgiving foods can cause serious food poisoning. Small children, the elderly, and the immune-compromised can be in danger of severe illness or death from certain types of food poisoning.

Car Accidents

Drowsy and drunk drivers abound on Thanksgiving Day and over the weekend, and traffic is high as people travel to from celebrations. Car accidents spike during this time and will remain high until after New Year’s Day.

Reducing Injury Risk

Hosts can minimize risks by keeping walkways clear, keeping kitchen counters free of clutter, ensuring food is thoroughly cooked, and removing children from the kitchen when cooking. Parents can instruct their children not to play with table knives, in the kitchen, or near flames from a candle or fireplace, and not to run when seniors are around. Seniors can wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and use extra caution when walking in unfamiliar areas.

When to Sue for a Thanksgiving Injury

As previously mentioned, not every injury requires the advice of a lawyer. However, there are some injury scenarios where you should immediately consult with an attorney, such as:

You Were Permanently or Severely Injured

If an injury results in some kind of permanent disability (i.e., paralysis, TBI, loss of a limb, etc.), you should consult an attorney about your legal options. Additionally, if you were severely injured and require extensive medical treatment (1 month or longer) or were unable to work, you should speak to an attorney about your case.

Some examples of severe injury include:

• Broken bones,
• Third-degree burns,
• Burns to the face,
• Internal bruising/bleeding,
• Concussions,
• And deep lacerations.

You Were Injured in a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault

Car accidents tend to increase in frequency and severity around the holidays. You should talk to a lawyer about a car accident over Thanksgiving weekend if:

• It wasn’t your fault,
• It involved an 18-wheeler,
• It involved a commercial vehicle,
• It involved a drunk driver,
• You or a loved one were injured,
• Or you lost a loved one in the accident.

You Were Injured by a Defective Product

If you’re hurt by a defective product, regardless of whether it has been recalled, you may be entitled to compensation.

Lawsuits involving defective products can be complicated and require you to go up against a company. Because of this, you should not try to file a claim without the assistance of a defective product attorney.

You Suffered Severe Food Poisoning

Most people get over food poisoning within a few days. However, at-risk populations can suffer rare but extreme side effects such as:

• Sepsis,
• Meningitis,
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome,
• Miscarriage,
• Pregnancy Complications,
• Irritable bowel syndrome,
• Guillain-Barre syndrome,
• Arthritis,
• And more.

If you or your child suffers from an extreme illness from food poisoning, you should talk to a lawyer about potential legal options.

Need Help With a Thanksgiving Injury in Texas? Call Shaw!

If you were injured in an accident on Thanksgiving Day, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Bills,
• Ongoing Medical Care,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Missed Work,
• Loss of Earning Capacity,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw for a free case evaluation today at 800-862-1260 to talk to a Carabin Shaw attorney about your case. There are no fees or obligations, just the expert legal advice you need. We’re a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas because we put our clients first.

We look forward to serving you.

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¹Mayo Clinic on Food Poisoning

²Advance ER on Preventing Thanksgiving Injuries