You typically don’t consider the holidays a time for legal action. It’s supposed to be a time of peace and goodwill toward men. However, devastating accidents caused by careless individuals can occur during the holiday season, and a lawsuit may be one of the only viable ways to recover the money you deserve for your financial losses.
At Murphy Crantford Meehan, Attorneys at Law, we’ve provided a short list of the most common holiday lawsuits. For good measure, we’ve also included two of the most bizarre holiday lawsuits.
The Three Most Common Holiday Lawsuits
Holidays are a time for celebration, not lawsuits. Unfortunately, careless individuals don’t care when they cause an accident. They also don’t care that they leave you to clean up the aftermath of an accident during what is supposed to be one of the most joyful times of the year. Numerous types of accidents can occur over the holidays, but the most common lawsuits that result from the holidays include:
Premises Liability Lawsuits
Premises liability lawsuits are common after holiday accidents. Slip-and-fall cases are often the most prevalent. Why? Because there are numerous potential hazards that landlords, property owners, and businesses may fail to address during the busy holiday rush. Loose cords from holiday light displays, poorly placed decorations, ice, and snow can all cause dangerous slip-and-fall accidents.
You can protect yourself from a premises liability claim by ensuring your home or property is in good repair over the holidays.
Dog Bites
Dog bites are another common holiday accident. Strange friends and family arriving at your home by the carload can be stressful and frightening for animals. Even beloved pets may lash out in fear or anger, especially around small children. Dog bite claims cost homeowners insurance companies nearly $1.136 million in a recent year. Save your guests from harm and your pets from stress by shutting them away from your holiday company.
Car Accident Lawsuits
It is a sad fact, but car accidents increase during significant holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. During these holidays, you can expect an increase in traffic, an increase in alcohol consumption, and an increase in drowsy drivers trying to make it home for the holidays.
Holiday car accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and leave accident victims struggling to recover physically and emotionally. The holidays can also be stressful and put people in a vulnerable position financially. Personal injury lawsuits from car accidents are common following holiday accidents and may be the best way to recover the compensation you need for your financial losses.
The Two Most Bizarre Holiday Lawsuits
A lawsuit can rarely make you grin. However, these bizarre holiday lawsuits will either leave you scratching your head or chuckling.
Turkey Troubles
Nothing heralds a holiday gathering like the smell of a turkey roasting in the oven. Turkey dinners are ubiquitous holiday feasts. However, have you ever thought about copyrighting your grandmother’s special turkey recipe? Are there really that many ways to roast or smoke a holiday bird?
The people at Greenberg Smoked Turkeys, Inc. thought so. The company took a competitor to court, claiming Goode-Cooke, Inc. copied their cooking instructions and was therefore violating copyright infringement laws.
In the end, Goode-Cooke, Inc. removed the instructions from its website, and the trouble with turkeys was over.
Ban Elf on the Shelf
Elf on the Shelf has become a popular and sometimes annoying holiday tradition. For many parents, constantly moving a toy elf and finding creative places to hide and pose it can be stressful. However, the stress is no match for some children’s emotional distress when parents forget to move their elf to a new spot.
In what has become a classic legal “prank,” one Georgia judge banned Elf on the Shelf, claiming the game causes trauma to children. Although not an actual lawsuit but a mock order issued by a playful judge, many people agree with the sentiment.
It shows that even those in the legal community have a sense of humor, especially around the holidays.
A South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
You don’t have to wait until the holiday season ends to get the legal help you need. At Murphy Crantford Meehan, Attorneys at Law, we are ready to provide aggressive and effective legal representation today. We want to help you recover the money you deserve after an accident with a careless individual. Contact our office today at (843) 396-3840 to arrange a free case evaluation. Turn to Murphy Crantford Meehan, Attorneys at Law, for help with your holiday lawsuit or personal injury claim.
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