Labor Day is a time to enjoy getting together with friends and family to celebrate the last days of summer before fall rolls around. However, just as with any other holiday, there are risks in celebrations where people congregate – celebrations that could end in injury or disaster.
There are many common injuries that occur over Labor Day weekend. You need to be aware of them, so that if you are hurt or injured by these hazards, you can make sure that you’ve got all your legal bases covered. Here are some of the most common Labor Day injures in Florida and what you can do if you were injured this Labor Day.
Labor Day Accidents
Accidents happen, whether it’s a holiday or not. But if you are ever injured due to the negligence of another, then you can sue for compensation for medical expenses, lost income, or other non-economic damages.
You may be able to get compensation for accidents that occur during most common holidays, like Labor Day. These include:
Car Accidents
In Florida, car accidents are the leading cause of injury all year long, but they get even worse around Labor Day. Primarily, this is due to people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but it is also caused by distracted and fatigued driving.
Accidents Involving Pedestrians
With more cars on the roads and more people driving impaired, there is also an uptick in accidents involving pedestrians struck by motor vehicles. If you are planning to walk around town on Labor Day, you should:
- Try to be aware of all the cars on the road
- Stick to sidewalks only
- Wear clothing that makes you visible to passing cars
That’s just good advice all year long.
Accidents at Parties and Barbecues
Grilling is a quintessential end-of-summer activity, but it also comes with its own hazards. Defective equipment or misuse of equipment can end in accidents that harm people. Children playing around cooking devices and guests who are intoxicated may also increase the risk of incidents in which someone gets hurt.
Fireworks
What’s a good end-of-summer party without fireworks? Unfortunately, these flaming fountains of fun and other explosive fireworks lead to serious injuries over holiday weekends. Never let a child handle fireworks without proper supervision. Don’t try to relight a firework that isn’t functioning correctly.
Drowning
Floridians tend to spend a lot of time around and in the water. Spending the last days of summer in the pool, in the lake, or in the ocean seems like a refreshing idea, but it’s not without risks. Even if everyone present knows how to swim, it can still pose a danger to them, especially younger kids. Backyard pools are a major risk to children under five, where hundreds drown every year.
What If You’re Hurt?
If you got hurt in an accident this Labor Day weekend in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation – especially if your injury was due to the negligence of another person. Your first move should be to ensure you get proper medical care for your injures.
First, detail as many specifics of the accident as you can remember. Then, get in touch with an experienced attorney who can take a look at your case and help you comprehend your rights under the law.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2020 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2017, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019.
