The spooky season is a fun time for many families. However, just as with any holiday, injuries and accidents can occur — perhaps more so with Halloween, as much of it tends to take place at night. Whether you’re taking your children trick-or-treating or braving the halls of the season’s scariest haunted house, you will want to make safety a priority.
It’s important to know what causes common Halloween injuries and what to do if you or someone you know suffers one.
Common Spooky Season Hazards
The unique circumstances of Halloween can, unfortunately, make injuries more likely to occur compared to a typical day of the year.
Between the higher number of pedestrians on the road to the increased risk of a slip and fall on an unfamiliar property, it can be helpful to understand what Halloween hazards to be on the lookout for and what to do should you encounter one.
Hazards While Seeking Treats
Typically, there is little to fear from store-bought candy and treats that come wrapped or sealed. However, some houses give trick-or-treaters baked and other homemade goods that could cause negative health reactions in children. If you bake goods and hand them out to a child whom you know will have an allergic reaction, you might face liability.
Dangerous walkways and yard conditions can also lead to a person’s liability if an individual is harmed while seeking treats. For example, if a homeowner reasonably expects children to come to their door but has a broken step, they may face liability if someone is injured by that step.
Don’t forget about pets. Since it is reasonable to expect people to come to or come close to a person’s home on Halloween, pet owners need to take the necessary precautions to keep their animals from causing harm. This could include keeping a pet in a safe area inside the home where the pet will not have access to guests.
Dangerous Attractions
While much of the fun of Halloween attractions, such as haunted houses, is the perceived threat of danger, they are not supposed to lead to actual injuries. Haunted houses require a lot of planning and design, but unfortunately, accidents can still happen. Someone may get hurt while running, or a special effect may go awry.
Regardless of how an injury occurs, those in charge of the premises where a person is harmed can face liability for negligence.
Traffic Dangers
Foot traffic increases during Halloween, making it important for drivers everywhere to remain vigilant on the road. Increased nighttime activity can complicate matters for drivers not used to seeing pedestrians at certain places and times.
Sadly, drunk drivers also figure into the picture. Fortunately, injury victims often have access to valuable compensation from negligent motorists.
What to Do When Spooky Season Injuries Happen
One of the most optimal ways to deal with spooky season injuries is to try to avoid them in the first place. Halloween is a busy time of antics and fun. Being especially aware of your surroundings will help you avoid potentially hazardous situations.
However, if you do find yourself dealing with an injury, there are steps you can take to ensure the best outcome.
Safety First
No matter what the situation, safety is always first. Once an accident transpires, make sure you and others are safe, which may require calling first responders. If you do not call for medical attention, it’s best to get a medical examination of your injuries in the near future to ensure they heal properly and to have a record of them.
Call the Police if Necessary
Should you call the police if you or a loved one experience an injury during Halloween? In some cases in Florida, the police must get involved, such as in car accident injury cases. But what about a case of food poisoning from an improperly prepared treat? Or a slip and fall while going up a haunted house’s staircase?
In virtually every case of injury, calling the police can do nothing but help, especially if you have a valid injury claim. The report will later serve as strong evidence to back up your demand for compensation.
Collect Accident Information
The police report will contain valuable information about your injuries. But you can also help your future claim by gathering information yourself when possible.
Photos and video footage are clear and persuasive forms of evidence and are easy to acquire. Shots of the hazard that caused the accident, as well as footage of the accident scene from different angles, will help you prove liability.
You will also want to obtain as much contact information as possible from the person or people responsible for your accident and from witnesses as well.
Contact an Attorney
You can learn what you can do about your injuries by speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Initial consultations are free, and you will receive a case review and legal opinion regarding your options for compensation.
When an attorney takes your case, you can sit back and worry about your injuries while your lawyer pursues your claim. They will handle all of the legal documents and paperwork required for your case and build a solid claim to seek the highest compensation available under the law.
Just because an injury sidetracks your Halloween festivities doesn’t mean it has to do the same to your life. If you or a loved one suffer injuries from a spooky season accident near Coconut Grove, FL, contact Ratzan Weissman & Boldt to find out how you can get compensated for your losses.
Staying Safe
In the end, it’s always better to avoid an injury when possible. An elevated state of awareness goes a long way during the spooky season. Other helpful tips for your safety and the safety of your loved ones include:
- Wearing bright or reflective costumes or accessories
- Avoiding alcohol consumption while out with children
- Accompanying children during trick-or-treating
- Inspecting children’s candy for tampering
- Staying mindful of potentially dangerous walkways and steps
- Watching out for loose pets
If you are driving, make sure to watch carefully for pedestrians and drive in a defensive manner that will keep you prepared for sudden unexpected occurrences.
By taking preventive measures and keeping an eye out for these common hazards, you can ensure your family’s spooky season in Florida is fun and injury-free.