Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family to get together, share a meal, and celebrate how they’ve been blessed throughout the year. Unfortunately, the festivities can take a dark turn, and people suffer negligent-related injuries. Below, we outline common types of Thanksgiving accidents and how to avoid them.
Vehicular Accidents
The National Safety Council estimates that just over 500 people will be involved in fatal vehicle accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday period (i.e., the evening before Thanksgiving to the following Sunday. This holiday sees a significant spike in traffic accidents due to the sheer volume of travelers on the roads during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Driver fatigue also plays a major role, as many people attempt long-distance travel after work or drive through the night to maximize their holiday time.
Drunk Driving Accidents During Thanksgiving Weekend
Alcohol-related accidents increase dramatically during the Thanksgiving period, with the Wednesday before Thanksgiving often called "Blackout Wednesday" due to heavy alcohol consumption. In 2022, 184 Thanksgiving vehicular accidents involved at least one drunk driver.
The combination of holiday celebrations, reunion drinking with old friends, and the stress of family gatherings leads to more impaired drivers on the road. This risk of DUI car accidents is compounded by the fact that many people are driving on unfamiliar roads in their hometown or relatives' neighborhoods and may be traveling later at night than usual.
If you are driving during this holiday season, consider the following safety tips:
- Eliminate distractions, as you want to be able to drive defensively.
- Do not drive while drowsy or under the influence.
- Be cautious when driving in blind spots, especially near trucks.
- Plan your route with consideration to what time you will leave and what the weather looks like.
- Inspect your vehicle before you get on the road.
- Obey speed limits and road signs, especially in construction zones.
- Take breaks for long-distance drives.
- Buckle up.
Fire-Related Incidents
Kitchen fires spike dramatically on Thanksgiving Day, primarily due to turkey fryer incidents and unattended cooking as hosts attempt to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than on an average day, and in 2022, over 1,600 home fires were reported on Thanksgiving Day.
Hot oil spills, grease fires, and overloaded electrical outlets from holiday decorations create serious fire hazards. People can also sustain fire-related injuries because of:
- Dried-out holiday decorations
- Improperly placed candles
- Overcrowded kitchens
- General issues with kitchen wiring
Burn injuries are avoidable if you take the following steps (as a host or attendee):
- Abandon plans to use turkey fryers.
- Do not leave the stove or oven unattended while in use.
- Keep kids and pets away from stovetops, candles, and areas where they may hit or knock over fire hazards.
- Test your smoke alarms.
- Remind guests to avoid overloading your circuits.
- Invest in a fire extinguisher.
Food Poisoning
Throughout the year, one in six people get sick, and 128,00 are hospitalized because of foodborne illnesses like salmonella and C. perfringens, which can both be found in turkey. Thanksgiving food poisoning incidents often result from improper handling of the turkey, including inadequate thawing, undercooked meat, or cross-contamination during preparation.
The extended time food sits out during long family gatherings allows bacteria to multiply, particularly in dishes containing mayonnaise, dairy, or eggs. The practice of keeping leftovers at room temperature for snacking throughout the day, combined with improper reheating methods, further increases the risk of foodborne illness.
And, yes, a person can sue a negligent party if they suffer food poisoning because of your Thanksgiving meal. In these cases, the possible defendants include:
- Food processing plants
- Restaurants and home chefs
- Food service workers
- Farmers
- Grocers
According to the National Capital Poison Control Center (NCPC), poison-related Thanksgiving accidents are a real concern. In a reported incident, a family of ten ate their turkey, and within eight hours, they were all vomiting, and some had a fever and diarrhea, all of which are symptoms of poisoning. A trip to the emergency room revealed that they were, in fact, suffering from food poisoning because of an undercooked turkey.
While this incident happened with family, let’s say a caterer or restaurant served undercooked food. Because of the breach of duty of care, they may be held liable for serving contaminated food.
While you cannot control whether grocers and others respect the duty of care that they owe customers and patrons, you can avoid engaging in risky kitchen habits by considering the following tips:
- Wash your hands and kitchen thoroughly before, during, and after preparing and cooking food.
- Avoid using the same cutting board and utensils when preparing raw and prepared food.
- Check the internal temperatures of food while cooking.
- Be mindful of guests’ allergies when preparing and plating food.
- Refrigerate or chill leftover food as soon as possible after serving.
Slips & Falls
Slip and fall accidents increase during Thanksgiving due to several factors, including:
- Rushed meal preparation leading to spilled liquids in the kitchen
- Increased foot traffic in homes
- Weather-related hazards like wet leaves or early snow.
Multiple guests in unfamiliar homes, children playing indoors due to cold weather, and cluttered spaces from extra chairs and holiday decorations all create additional fall risks. Depending on how formal your Thanksgiving celebration is, people’s attire can contribute to these incidents, but California law allows people to pursue injury claims even if they are partially at fault for their accident.
So, while a person’s high heels or flowing dress may have also led to their fall, home and business owners still may face liability if their negligence also caused the accident. If you are hosting anyone for Thanksgiving, pay particular attention to how you layout the space, whether there are tripping hazards, and what areas you should warn guests to be careful in.
Other safety tips for avoiding holiday trips and falls include:
- Clean walkways before guests arrive.
- Use rugs or mats in entryways, kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces where the floor can get wet.
- Inspect railings and other fixtures on stairways.
- Place adequate warning signs in areas where hazards endanger guests.
Negligent Security Issues
Property owners and managers are expected and legally obligated to implement safety measures to prevent reasonably anticipated crimes. Millions of people travel during Thanksgiving and stay at hotels or with friends or family. Those hosts can be held liable if guests suffer injuries in the commission of a crime due to inadequate security measures like:
- No employee training concerning mandated security protocols
- Lack of or broken fencing, security cameras, window and door locks, or other entry point security
- Lack of emergency communication equipment (i.e., intercoms or panic buttons in elevators)
- Broken or inadequate lighting around the property
Injured During the Holidays? Contact Us!
Smolich and Smolich represents clients in a range of personal injury matters. Should you or a loved one suffer injuries this Thanksgiving, our attorneys are here and equipped to counsel you through the claims process.
Learn specifics about how our attorneys can help with your personal injury claim by calling (916) 571-0400.