Does My Halloween Injury Qualify for Compensation?

Pumpkin carving, haunted houses, parties, and trick-or-treating mark Halloween as a fun holiday enjoyed by both children and adults. Unfortunately, accidents can happen that injure revelers. If another party’s negligence injures you or your child, you may qualify for compensation through a personal injury or premises liability claim. However, getting the evidence you need to establish liability is often challenging.

What kinds of accidents happen frequently on Halloween? How do I know if I qualify for compensation? At The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A., we hope your Halloween is safe and enjoyable. If you are injured in an accident, our lawyers can help.

Common Halloween Accidents

Pumpkin carving causes the most Halloween injuries, but these accidents typically do not qualify for compensation. To be eligible, you must prove another party’s negligence directly caused your injuries and associated damages. Qualifying Halloween injuries often happen through:

• Slip or trip and fall accidents in haunted houses, at parties, or while trick-or-treating
• Drunk driving accidents as intoxicated partygoers travel
• Foodborne illnesses or food poisoning at parties or in candy handed to trick-or-treaters
• Pedestrian accidents as excited children are unaware of the dangers of running into traffic
• Burns when candles in jack-o-lanterns cause fires
• Falling objects as inadequately secured Halloween decor or haunted house props fall
• Dog bites when owners do not restrain excited dogs that are trying to protect their property from trick-or-treaters
• Assaults at parties, in dark areas at haunted houses, or on streets

In these and other instances, someone was responsible for using reasonable care to avoid harming others. When someone fails to provide that duty of care, they may be considered negligent. Negligence is the basis for most personal injury claims.

Understanding Duty of Care in Personal Injury and Premises Liability Accidents

Drivers have a duty of care to drive safely, and property owners or other responsible parties have a duty of care to provide safe premises for guests and invitees. For example:

• Drivers should not operate cars while intoxicated.
• Property owners who welcome trick-or-treaters should have well-lit paths to their doors that are free of tripping hazards, and they should restrain their dogs.
• Haunted house operators should properly secure props, keep walkways clear, provide adequate training to employees, and provide adequate security.
• Government agencies responsible for sidewalk and street maintenance should repair potholes and broken or uneven pavement.
• Drivers should use extra care in residential areas when trick-or-treaters are out to avoid hitting pedestrians.

Accidents often happen when these parties breach their duty of care, and you may qualify to hold them accountable for their negligence. A skilled attorney from The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. can help.

Injuries and Damages in Halloween Accidents

Halloween accidents can produce a wide variety of injuries, including broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord damage, burns, organ damage, and extensive bruising. These and other physical wounds likely require medical treatment and time away from work. They might also diminish your quality of life.

Damages are monies that reimburse or compensate you for specific accident-related losses, such as:

• Medical treatment
• Ongoing care
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Lost enjoyment of life

Your lawyer will calculate your damages and fight to help you achieve a maximum payout.

Call Our Trusted Fort Lauderdale, FL Personal Injury Lawyers Today

You need an effective lawyer to obtain the compensation you deserve after an accident. The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. has over 50 years of combined experience, and we look forward to helping you maximize your compensation. Call us at 954-763-4950 for your free consultation with our determined Broward County, FL premises liability attorneys.