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Independence Day can be labeled a high-risk holiday as every July 4th, thousands of people are rushed to hospital emergency rooms with serious injuries. Fireworks-related incidents, which are easily preventable, trigger most of these ER visits.
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Impaired driving, mostly due to alcohol and fatigue, is an especially prevalent threat on July 4th.
In terms of alcohol consumption, even one drink is too many if you plan to drive. Impairment of judgment ability and motor skills begins with the first drink.
Drowsy driving is more of a July 4th issue in 2023. The holiday falls during the middle of the week. Therefore, many people must drive straight home after a long, exhausting day filled with activities. Driving after eighteen consecutive awake hours is like driving with a .05 BAC level, which is above the legal limit for many drivers in New York and elsewhere.
These injury claims are very complex. Normally, the commercial establishment which provided alcohol to the tortfeasor (negligent actor) is financially responsible for damages in these cases. That financial responsibility also applies to alcohol-related assaults and other such incidents. The medical bills alone in a catastrophic (life-threatening) vehicle collision injury often exceed $40,000.
Pool Safety
Ironically, large crowds increase the risk of a drowning or other swimming pool injury. In large crowds, everyone usually assumes that someone else is watching a small child or other vulnerable swimmer.
Since a small child can drown in as little as one inch of water, a kiddie splash pool might as well be a high-diving pool, for child safety purposes.
Owners have a duty of care to provide safe environments for invited commercial or social guests. This responsibility usually includes placing swimming pool safety measures. For example, pool owners must place life-saving equipment near the water.
Pet Safety
During quick pit stops, many people leave pets in cars. Even early in the day or after sunset, vehicle interiors quickly become far too hot for a small animal to handle, even if the owner cracks a window.
New Yorkers who see pets trapped in hot cars can call 9-1-1 or otherwise summon help, but they usually cannot break into cars to save hot pets. Only emergency responders have this power.
BBQs
Burns and cuts are the most common barbecue-related injuries. Other injuries include smoke inhalation and steakhouse syndrome.
Many people enjoy the distinct flavor of smoky beef or chicken. Billowy smoke could cause a smoke inhalation injury, even in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Barbecue smoke contains high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which cause respiratory disease, among other health issues. To reduce the risk of injury, always leave the lid open when grilling.
Steakhouse syndrome is a gradual onset condition that occurs when improperly chewed foods get stuck in your throat. Symptoms include chest pain, gagging, difficulty swallowing, and choking. If you have an underlying medical condition, such as acid reflux, esophageal stricture, or a hiatal hernia, cut the meat in smaller pieces and focus on chewing it until it’s almost like puree.
Boating Safety
Operator error usually causes collisions, falls, “man overboard” drownings, and other common boating injuries in New York. Most people can legally operate boats even if they have no experience.
Alcohol providers are often responsible for alcohol-related injuries, and boat owners are often financially responsible for boat injuries. Owners are liable for damages if they allow incompetent operators to use their boats or other motor vehicles. New York boat license requirements are so low that practically every boater is an incompetent operator.
Fireworks
In the post-coronavirus world, the combination of fireworks and hand sanitizer often causes many serious injuries.
Generally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 60 percent ethanol or 70 percent isopropanol. But since fireworks increase the risk of serious burns, National Safety Council (NSC) spokeswoman Maureen Vogel recommends that you “wash your hands the old-fashioned way, with soap and water.”
For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, contact Napoli Shkolnik. We do not charge upfront fees and only recover a fee when we win your case.