{"id":8474,"date":"2021-07-01T12:11:12","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T16:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10028\/uncategorized\/stay-safe-over-the-holiday-weekend\/"},"modified":"2021-07-01T12:11:12","modified_gmt":"2021-07-01T16:11:12","slug":"stay-safe-over-the-holiday-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/napolilaw.lemonadestand.org\/en\/article\/stay-safe-over-the-holiday-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay Safe Over the Holiday Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that the state was ending most coronavirus restrictions<\/a> in time for the Independence Day holiday weekend. California, a similar move at about the same time.<\/p>\n

Coronavirus vaccines and protective measures have reduced this disease to a few pockets, mostly in overseas countries.<\/p>\n

But other risks, which most of us haven\u2019t worried about for far too long, are taking the place of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

If you employ a few precautions, this July 4th might be the safest and most fun one your family has experienced.<\/p>\n

If things go sideways, you can rely on a New York personal injury attorney<\/a> to help you come back strong.<\/p>\n

Fireworks<\/h3>\n

Almost 75 percent<\/a> of fireworks-related Emergency Room visits happen between late June and late July.<\/p>\n

Nearly all of these injuries involve serious burns, mostly to the hand and\/or face. Since most of these incidents occur in semi-rural areas, the nearest hospital is usually several minutes further away than it is in the city.<\/p>\n

These few minutes could be the difference between a serious injury and a catastrophic wound.<\/p>\n

Generally, fireworks-related burns require extensive, and expensive, treatment at regional burn centers.<\/p>\n

Even after doctors and physical therapists complete their work, the physical and emotional scars remain.<\/p>\n

Legally, these cases are much different than they were ten years ago. Back then, firework injury victim\/plaintiffs had a hard time obtaining compensation, unless they showed that the fireworks were defective.<\/p>\n

But a 2011 New York Court of Appeals case eliminated<\/a> a defense commonly known as \u201cthe product is what it is\u201d defense.<\/p>\n

Essentially, these product makers must now show that a safer alternative was unavailable.<\/p>\n

Water Safety<\/h3>\n

Collisions are the leading cause of boat-related accidents. The force of a collision could seriously injure both operators and passengers.<\/p>\n

Boats generally don\u2019t have seat belts, airbags, or other safety restraint systems. Furthermore, most boat operators are in the open.<\/p>\n

Steel and plastic cocoons do not protect them. Therefore, even in a relatively low-speed collision, many operators bang their head on steering wheels and suffer other such injuries.<\/p>\n

Collision-related head injuries are particularly difficult to diagnose and treat.<\/p>\n

Doctors often mistake initial symptoms, such as disorientation, with shock from the accident. Additionally, the brain is very adept at concealing its own injuries.<\/p>\n

Many head injury victims quite honestly \u201cfeel fine.\u201d So, unless victims see collision specialists, their head injuries often go undiagnosed.<\/p>\n

Boat collisions also often cause man-overboard drownings.<\/p>\n

In the noise and chaos following an accident, these victims might be below the waves for several minutes before anyone notices they are missing.<\/p>\n

On the Road<\/h3>\n

Many people plan to drive this weekend, many people plan to drink, and many people will do both these things at once.<\/p>\n

To hopefully stem the tide, New York City-area law enforcement agencies plan to set up several sobriety checkpoints in and around the Big Apple.<\/p>\n

Yet despite these efforts, alcohol-related wrecks will almost certainly kill or seriously injure many people over the three-day weekend.<\/p>\n

If the tortfeasor (negligent driver) was charged with DUI, the negligence per se<\/em> rule could apply. Tortfeasors are liable for damages as a matter of law if:<\/p>\n