Common Holiday Season Injuries
The holiday season should ideally be a time for festivities and having fun with family and friends. However, according to several safety and health organizations, it can also be a time for an increased number of accidents and injuries. From traveling to cooking to decorating, holiday activities pose real dangers, particularly when people are distracted by all the festivities and fun. 5 Common Holiday Accidents and Injuries and How to Prevent Them 1. Fires The United States Fire Administration says that fires caused by heating, cooking, and open flames all increase during the holiday season. Unfortunately, such fires tend to be severer than average fires during the year in terms of losses. To help prevent fires during the holiday season, avoid leaving fireplaces, cooking appliances, portable heaters, candles, and holiday lights unattended. It is also important to ensure that your smoke alarm is working properly and that your friends and family know what to do in case of fire. 2. Car Accidents The holiday season is one of the busiest travel periods of the year and with that comes an increased risk for accidents. Accidents may occur due to the winter driving conditions, increased number of travelers, drunk driving, and distracted driving. To keep you and your family safe, always wear your seatbelt, avoid using your phone or any other distractions when you drive, and drive cautiously on the slippery, icy roads. If you do plan to take alcohol, always have a designated driver. 3. Falls, Trips, and Slips The Electrical Safety Foundation International estimates that about 5,800 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries sustained from falls that involve holiday decorations. Additionally, about 4,000 more are treated for injuries from extension cords and ladders. When you are decorating for the holidays, it is always advisable to be aware of your surroundings and ensure that a ladder or stool is stable before you actually step on it. 4. Electrocutions The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 5,000 people visit the emergency room due to outdoor and indoor electrical decoration mishaps during the holiday season. The leading cause of electrocutions during the holiday season is careless decorating. To avoid electrocutions during the holiday season, use authentic extension cords and LED holiday lights; avoid overloading electrical sockets, avoid touching electric wires when wet; and unplugging electrical holiday decorations before leaving the house or going to sleep. 5. Choking During the holidays season, young children want to get dolls, action figures, and other toys with moveable parts for their holiday gifts. Without close supervision, a curious child might swallow small bits of their toys and choke. When you buy a present for your child or he/she accepts one from a family friend, review the packaging and instructions to ensure that there are no dangerous choking hazards. Final Thoughts The holiday season should ideally be full of joy and laughter, but an injury can easily derail your plans. If you have been seriously injured due to the negligence of someone else, get in touch with a reputable personal injury lawyer today to discuss the details of your claim and help you secure the compensation you deserve. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
Personal Injury Lawyer For Oil Field Injuries
Ever watch the movie Deepwater Horizon? The dangers of working in the oil and gas industry are featured in it. While of course, Mark Wahlberg plus the special effects don’t really paint the real thing, they drive the point home; working in oilfields is a deadly job! In fact, according to data from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), severe injury rates for support activities for oil and gas operations 2015-2016 was 148.9 per 100,000 workers. By relating the number of injuries to the size of the oil and gas industry, it is clear that the aforementioned rate of severe injuries is pretty high. So, why the extremely high rates of injuries in the oil and gas industry? Oil extraction is not only complicated but also involves many employees working together with different equipment and machinery. The lucrative oil and gas industry has brought considerable job growth to Oklahoma City. While jobs are a big win, it is impossible to ignore the elephant in the room, workers at Oklahoma oil fields face considerable risks while on the job. The dangers range from exposure to toxic chemicals, fires and explosions, hazards of operating heavy machinery, and so on. Dangers Oil Field Employees Face 1. Oil Field Vehicle Collisions Some of the fatal injuries in the oil industry result from transportation accidents. Often, oil fields are located in remote areas. As a result, there is a lot of long distance travelling usually with heavy trucks. While most of the drivers undergo rigorous training to operate the vehicles used, driving in uncharted territory and the long driving shifts can be overwhelming even for the most experienced drivers. 2. Falls on Oil Fields Falls on oil fields cover both workers falling from oil rig platforms and falling objects falling on workers. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that employees being struck by falling equipment or objects is the most common type of oil field accidents. When working on an oil rig, it doesn’t take much to lose balance or slip and fall. Imagine falling from a height of say 330 feet! Or being crushed by a 40-ton metal bar! It would be fatal. And if you survived either, the chances are that you would suffer from severe neck, brain or back injury, plus multiple broken bones. Potential Injuries For Oil Field Workers Examples of injuries that employees might incur in an oil field include: Vision loss Brain damage Bone fractures Burns Lacerations Finger, toe, arm or leg amputation Why You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer Oilfield workers in Oklahoma City face genuine and deadly risks. Moreover, potential injuries range from minor to severe injuries. Sometimes, these injuries have life-long effects. Have you been injured while working on an oil field? If the answer is yes, then you need a personal injury lawyer. A reputable worker’s compensation law firm such as Little Oliver Gallagher can not only help you understand the claims process but also help you pursue compensation. Regardless of the nature of the injury, remember that your life will no longer be the same; you need an experienced and conscientious lawyer to get you the compensation you rightly deserve. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
