After a long, frigid winter, Massachusetts residents look forward to the summer months. However, warm-weather activities also come with an increased risk of injury. We take an in-depth look at some of the most common summer injuries below and how our Salem personal injury lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.
Most Common Summer Injuries
Heat-Related Illnesses
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms can range from mild headaches and dizziness to nausea, confusion, and even death. Particularly vulnerable populations include the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
Water-Related Injuries
Summer often means fun in the sun at pools, lakes, and beaches. However, large bodies of water can be surprisingly dangerous, and drowning is a leading cause of unintentional deaths among children. Adults also risk injuries like spinal cord damage from diving into shallow waters or falling on wet surfaces.
Sports and Activity Injuries
Warm weather also means it’s a great time to get outside and participate in your favorite sports or activities. While fun, this can lead to sprains, strains, fractures, or more severe injuries. High temperatures can exacerbate these injuries too, putting you at even more risk.
What to Do Immediately After an Injury
Knowing how to respond after you or someone else is crucial. Here are some important steps to take:
- Get medical attention to rule out any serious issues and to create a record of your injuries.
- Document what happened and take photographs of the scene if possible, or ask someone else to do this for you.
- Report the injury to the police and the property manager as soon as you can.
- Avoid making statements about fault or liability with anyone on the scene, and don’t make recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel.
When Are Summer Injuries Someone Else’s Fault?
Not all summer injuries result in personal liability for others, but in certain circumstances, someone else’s negligence may be to blame. Here are some examples:
Unsafe Conditions
If you slip and fall due to wet floors or cut your foot on broken glass at a public venue, you may be able to hold the property owner responsible for failure to maintain the premises.
Boating Accidents
A boat operator may be liable if you are injured in an accident after they broke the law or handled the boat recklessly.
Harmful Products
If you use outdoor equipment like a grill or a pool toy, and it malfunctions due to a defect or insufficient warnings, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the resulting injuries.
Dog Bites
Summer is also a common time for dog bites. If a dog attacks you while in a public space or at someone’s home, the owner may have to pay for the resulting damages, especially if the owner was negligent in controlling the dog or if the dog had a history of aggression. But because Massachusetts is a strict liability state, dog owners are always responsible for the actions of their animal, whether they were negligent or the dog had a reputation for attacking others.
Food Poisoning
Dining at a restaurant during a summer barbecue, picnic, or food festival may lead to foodborne illness if safety standards are not properly followed. In this case, the restaurant or food provider may be liable for unsafe food handling practices.
Negligent Supervision
A parent, guardian, or camp counselor may be responsible for a child’s injury if they failed to adequately supervise children at an outdoor event or while swimming. For example, if a child dies after falling in the pool and a neighbor’s house, the neighbor may be responsible if they did not have a gate around the pool, or it wasn’t latched.
Filing an Injury Claim with a Massachusetts Accident Lawyer
Were you or someone you know injured through no fault of your own? Our experienced legal team is here to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. Contact us now for a no-cost case consultation at our Salem law office by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
