All too Common Thanksgiving Injuries

Thanksgiving should be a day filled with family, friends, great food, gratitude,and celebrations. However, there are those unfortunate times when this wonderful holiday results in injury, especially when negligence is to blame. Here are the most common Thanksgiving Day injuries we see all too often at our personal injury law firm:

Kitchen Fires

We can thank deep-fryers for making Thanksgiving the number one day of the year for cooking-related fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep fryers result in more than $15 million in property damage each year.

Other accidents caused by deep fryers include hot oil spills and splatters that cause serious burns, even life-threatening injuries to adults and young children. Avoid these kitchen disasters by using the following precautions:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and educate yourself on how to operate the deep fryer.
Use the deep fryer outside (and only outside) on a stable and non-combustible surface.
Never, ever leave a deep-fryer unattended.
Keep the deep fryer out of reach of children or pets.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Car Accidents

Every holiday there is an increase in traffic accidents that often results in injury or death. Thanksgiving is no exception. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more deaths take place on the road on Thanksgiving Day than any other holiday. Each year more than 40 million Americans drive more than 50 miles away from home. Most of these unfortunate accidents are typically the result of road congestion, rushed travelers, consumption of drugs and/or alcohol, and distracted driving.

Florida’s Uninsured Motorist Problem

Many people are surprised to learn that Florida drivers are not required to carry Bodily Injury coverage. Therefore, many local drivers opt-out of this key coverage. Other drivers looking to save money, opt for $10,000 in bodily injury coverage. With these no-limit and low-limit options, approximately, 1 in 7 drivers sharing the road with you do not have the proper insurance in place. Currently, Florida has the second-highest rate of uninsured or underinsured motorists on its roads in the country.

Uninsured motorist is a way to ensure you are prepared to handle the financial fallout of an accident, in the event the other driver has no car insurance at all, no bodily injury coverage,or simply not enough coverage. Before holiday travel, we highly recommend you review your auto insurance to be prepared. We are happy to review your policy at no cost.

Injured in an accident? You have 14 days to seek treatment;otherwise, you lose your PIP benefits. Don’t wait and miss your window. Failure to seek care after an accident means your insurer will likely deny your PIP claim. That’s why our injury attorneys highly recommend you seek medical care even if you are unsure whether you (or a passenger) have suffered injuries.

Call Mickey Keenan Attorneys at Law today and we can help you find the medical care you need.

Food Poisoning

Another common accident that occurs on Thanksgiving… food poisoning. This is typically caused by foods being left on the counter too long or foods that have spoiled from being improperly prepared and stored.

Follow these tips to avoid food poisoning at this year’s Thanksgiving feast:

Wash hands to avoid food contamination.
Use separate utensils and cutting boards for meats and produce.
Cook the turkey to at least 160 degrees.
Refrigerate leftover dishes within two hours after meals have been served.
Store leftover turkey in the fridge for up to three or four days. Discard after.
Do not heat leftovers in plastic containers.

Food poisoning may lead to extensive hospital or emergency room bills and missed or lost work depending on the severity.

During the holidays, many households welcome guests that their pets may not be accustomed to. Unexpected animal-related incidents can be traumatic and may result in serious personal injuries. Taking preventive steps—such as separating pets from visitors or posting a visible warning sign—can help reduce the risk of injury.

As experienced personal injury attorneys in Tampa, we frequently handle cases involving injuries caused by animal-related incidents. These injuries can result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, or muscle and tissue injuries, often leaving victims with lasting physical and emotional effects.

At Mickey Keenan Law, our Tampa personal injury lawyers are committed to protecting your rights. We assist with finding appropriate medical care, gathering evidence, and building a strong personal injury claim. Our team has extensive experience helping injury victims pursue fair compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term recovery needs. We handle the legal process so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa, FL

If you or someone you love is injured in an accident over the holiday season, the experienced personal injury and car accident attorneys at Mickey Keenan can help. Veteran attorneys will seek damages to compensate for pain and suffering incurred as a result of the injury. We represent clients throughout the greater Tampa Bay area and can be reached for a free consultation. Call our law firm today.