Injuries On Thanksgiving in the Chester County
The foliage is glorious before Thanksgiving in Chester County, PA, during the Fall season. However, around the end of November, when the trees shed their leaves, darkness occurs earlier due to the time change. The first week of November shifts back to Standard Time from Daylight Savings Time.
This does add an hour of sleep. This added hour equals one day that is 25 hours long and is the first Sunday in November. This doesn’t make up for the ensuing extended darkness, though.
Add to this the fact that the Winter is quickly approaching, with December 23 being the darkest day of the year in Chester County. Cautionary measures must be taken when out and about on the roadways or even when walking.
This is important, as the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving. Festivities ramp up, as does shopping, with more travel by all methods and more individuals flocking to stores.
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that statistics show that risky driving increases on Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Eve. While car crashes increase, other accidents surpass these figures on this Day of Thanks. The statistics do change from year to year but remain consistent in increase.
Common Lack of Duty of Care Injuries on Thanksgiving
Chester County is, of course, not the only area where a Duty of Care is breached on Thanksgiving. Even if a private get-together occurs, a Duty of Care exists by any property owner or vehicle operator. The most common issues are listed below:
· Car Crashes
As discussed above, these increases are well documented as impaired driving from drugs and alcohol does increase. Loosening up on Thanksgiving and foregoing the usual cautions when operating a vehicle is easy. Seatbelts when going from home to home while visiting can be forgotten.
· House Fires
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) tracks fires seasonally, and house fires increase dramatically during the cooking of a Thanksgiving dinner. Ask any cooks, and it is easy to get involved with guests and forget that turkey or other portions of a meal that are simmering in the kitchen!
· Heart Attacks
Holidays can be stressful. Add to that the fact that many in Chester County and, of course, all of the USA overindulge in rich foods and too much food during this holiday. It is a day of feasting, and individuals do take this to heart (no pun intended).
Those with undiagnosed heart conditions can experience a heart attack from stress and too much food. It is rare, though, according to the Huff Post, and not as common as vehicular accidents or house fires.
· Burns
These occur frequently while in a rush and cooking at the same time. Since Thanksgiving does entail preparing a lot of foods simultaneously, more burns (and trips to the ER if serious enough) do occur on Thanksgiving.
· Food Poisoning
This can occur either while dining at home or in a restaurant, as all foods need proper preparation and refrigeration. While not as dire as a house fire or a car crash, food poisoning can lead to hospitalization if serious enough and even, in rare cases, to death.
According to the CDC, there are hundreds of thousands of cases of food-borne illnesses that lead to visits to an Emergency Room visit or hospitalization and about 3,000 deaths per year nationwide.
Safe preparation and storage must occur with all foods, and temperature guidelines exist online, as do instructions on safe handling procedures.
Summary–Duty of Care Thanksgiving Injuries in Chester County, PA
Holidays are and should be festive. However, common sense must rule, as significant injuries can occur. If these do happen, and someone is a victim of injury or even death, a great attorney who is well-versed in the practice of negligence should be consulted ASAP.
If an individual is accused of negligence, an attorney who is also significantly experienced in this aspect of representation is needed. Either a plaintiff or a defendant needs a team when a Duty of Care is breached and leads to an injury or death.
Christian J. Hoey ESQ, of HoeyLegal, located in Paoli, PA, offers a free consultation via a form on the website and has both brought negligence lawsuits and successfully defended those who were accused of negligence.
Contact by phone is also available: 610-647-5151 or 1-888-GO-HOEY1. Prefer email? cjhoey@hoeylegal.com
Thanksgiving is indeed a day of thanks that should not be marred by a tragedy. Chris Hoey is proud to assist if anything tragic does occur and has a team that will serve a swath of Chester County and beyond.
Enjoy this day, but remember, Chris Hoey is there if needed after the celebration ends!