Handling (& Preventing) an Injury Claim Over the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… unless you are handling an injury claim. Dealing with an injury can be debilitating and disheartening at any time of the year, but especially over the holiday season. Despite the holidays being a joyous time to spend with family and friends, we see more accidents and injuries during the winter seasons.

The personal injury lawyers at Mickey Keenan, P.A. discuss some of the common holiday injuries we encounter here at the firm, how you can prevent them, and how our attorneys can help make you whole again.

Common Injuries During the Holidays

It’s no secret that winter weather and icy roads can lead to a variety of injuries, but here in Florida, we don’t have the same conditions. However, there are common types of injuries that occur over the holiday season. Here are some of the most common:

Holiday Travel Car Accidents

Whether you’re heading to grandma’s house or taking a road trip, traveling over the holidays puts a lot more people on the road all over the US. The more cars on the road, the more likely an accident is to occur.

When 20% of all Florida drivers are uninsured? That’s why you need not only be more careful on the road but also check to ensure uninsured motorist insurance is on your auto policy.

Add to this, more semi-trucks are on the road hectically making holiday deliveries. These potentially catastrophic accidents are sadly on the rise this time of year.

Slips & Falls

Families with homes full of guests, decorations, and slippery surfaces make for a higher risk of slips & falls. When decorating for the holidays, eliminate any cords or wires from guest walkways. Additionally, make sure your pets are properly trained or restrained; you’d be surprised how often a family dog gets too riled up and knocks down a family member.

When shopping, avoid spills on the floor. Though it’s their responsibility, you can help other shoppers by alerting store staff to the safety hazard. And in the parking lot with all your great presents, remember to watch for potholes or cracked pavement. If the store failed to repair those, you could suffer a lasting injury from accidentally falling in one.

Rooftop Carelessness

It’s the classic holiday movie trope, the careless dad falls off the roof while hanging 25,000 imported Italian twinkling lights on the outside of his home.

Despite its comedic nature, it’s still a very real risk. Homeowners and their family members who don’t think twice about climbing on top of the roof to hang Christmas lights or check for reindeer hoof prints can quickly find themselves in trouble if something goes wrong. Use caution, follow safety measures, and always have someone else there with you when putting up your holiday decorations.

Moving Forward: Recovering from a Holiday Injury

If you’re recovering from an injury over the holidays, it can put a real damper on the spirit of the season. That’s why the personal injury attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. are here to help you get through this difficult time without the stress of your injury claim.

If you’re injured due to another’s negligence, our team of experienced lawyers can help guide you throughout the legal process, making sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for your pain and suffering.

While we handle the injury on paper, you can focus on what is most important, feeling better. While it won’t be easy, here are some things you can do to avoid worsening your injury while partaking in holiday festivities:

Don’t volunteer in the kitchen, your family and friends will understand.
Don’t try to help set up decorations, (maybe a few ornaments, but not the star!)
Focus on family and your health – not your social media
Take breaks when needed, and don’t feel embarrassed to ask for ice or other treatments.
Most importantly, listen to your body. If you begin feeling like you are doing too much, you most likely are.

Making You Whole Again

Nobody deserves to be injured during the holidays, and no one understands this better than our team here at Mickey Keenan, P.A.

Whether you find yourself in a holiday car accident, a slip & fall situation, or another unexpected injury, our team of personal injury lawyers can advise you on how to proceed with your claim and make sure you receive the maximum compensation that you are entitled to.

Don’t let the stress of an injury claim ruin the holidays, call our experienced attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. today and let us help make you whole again.