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Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Injured Children and Adults in Washington DC
Summer vacation is about getting outdoors, enjoying the great weather, and having freedom from classes. Whether you are a parent with young children out for the summer or you are a college student ready to enjoy your break from classes, be aware of the injuries lurking around the fun.
Summer season is peak season for injuries. So, to ensure your family gets the most out of summer and spends as little time as possible in hospitals, keep these common hazards in mind.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a common injury in the summertime, especially with household barbecues and guests bringing dishes that were not properly kept at the right temperature. Also, due to the increased demand, some restaurants get sloppy about sanitation procedures and are more likely to have issues of food contamination and illness. If you are plagued with food poisoning from a restaurant, that restaurant may be liable for the illness and costs associated.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents can occur at any time, but there are more teen drivers on the road day and night, and an increase in traffic in general. Just some reasons why summer increases the chances of car accidents include:
- Hot weather significantly enhances the risk of a tire blowout.
- Tourists are visiting new areas, which means they are unfamiliar with local laws and may stop suddenly.
- More children are out on the road either walking or biking, and not looking for cars.
- People are drinking and driving at all hours of the day.
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are also common in the summer. More youths are engaging in recreational activities, and everything from a cycling injury to heatstroke could limit how much fun people have outdoors.
Carnival Ride and State Fair Injuries
Summer means more carnivals and state fairs. While these attractions are supposed to follow the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), they do not always do so. They should post weight, age, or height restrictions for the rides, but do not always do so.
Depending on who is hosting the carnival and which company owns the rides, they are required to provide safe rides. So, if you or a loved one is injured by a festival or fair ride, you might be able to file a compensation claim against the company for your injuries and damages.
Trampoline Injuries
Trampolines are inherently dangerous. After all, to enjoy them, you must jump up high, and you run the risk of colliding with another participant, falling off the trampoline, or getting fractures and sprains.
Trampoline parks and activity centers are growing in popularity, but these parks do not always maintain their trampolines or monitor the safety of participants. Some facilities might require a liability waiver. So, consider the waiver’s wording carefully before signing. Even if you sign a liability waiver, if you are injured because of gross negligence on behalf of the facility, they can be held liable for your injuries.
Do Not Let a Summer Injury Affect You for the Rest of Your Life
A summertime injury can be devastating. Depending on the severity, you could be forced to deal with that injury for months, or permanently. When that injury occurs because of someone’s negligence or reckless behavior, you might be entitled to compensation.
Schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney from Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP by calling us at our DC location.