Premises Liability and Holiday Decorations
The festive season brings a wave of cheer and bright decorations to homes and businesses across Kansas, from Wichita’s Christmas displays to Topeka’s neighborhood light shows. Yet, those same lights, inflatables, and decorative items can create unexpected dangers for visitors and guests. Understanding the link between premises liability and holiday decorations is important for every property owner in the Sunflower State.
When a homeowner or business fails to maintain a safe environment, including the seasonal decorations they put up, they can be held legally responsible for injuries that occur. If you have been hurt due to an unsafe holiday display, the Kansas premises liability attorneys at Patterson Legal Group are here to help you explore your legal options.
Slip-and-Fall Injuries During the Holiday Season
One of the most frequent hazards during the holidays is the risk of a slip, trip, or fall. These accidents form the core of many winter injury claims. Extension cords stretched across a sidewalk in a Garden City neighborhood, tangled light strings on porch steps, or a wet doormat decorated with a holiday motif can all become dangerous tripping hazards.
In Kansas, property owners have a clear duty to keep their walkways and entryways reasonably safe for visitors. A fall on an icy path made more hazardous by a decorative light cord in Topeka can lead to serious injuries like sprains, broken bones, or head trauma. When a decoration or the equipment used to power it directly contributes to a fall, the property owner’s negligence may be clear.
Premises Liability and Holiday Decorations: Electrocution Injuries
Strings of lights and animated figures require power, and improper electrical setups pose a severe risk of shock or electrocution. This danger is a critical aspect of premises liability and holiday decorations. Using indoor-rated lights outdoors in Kansas weather, overloading outdoor outlets, or using damaged cords with frayed wires can all lead to dangerous situations.
As an example, a storefront in Wichita with faulty wiring on its window display or a homeowner using a cracked extension block could be creating an unreasonable hazard. An electrocution injury is often severe, requiring extensive medical care. Navigating such a complex claim requires an understanding of building codes and safety standards, which is where the knowledge of seasoned Kansas injury attorneys becomes vital for victims and their families.
Burn Injuries Caused by Holiday Decorations
Despite the cold, burn risks are ever-present during the holiday season. Real candles in windows or on tables can be knocked over easily, igniting nearby curtains or wrapping paper. Dry Christmas trees in heated Topeka homes can become fire hazards if lights overheat. Even malfunctioning electronics in decorations can spark.
When a property owner ignores basic safety—like leaving a lit menorah unattended or placing a heater too close to decorations—they may be liable for any resulting burn injuries or fire damage. Such negligence transforms a joyful decoration into a source of harm and a valid premises liability claim.
Premises Liability and Holiday Decorations: Cuts and Lacerations
Broken glass ornaments, the sharp hooks used to hang them, or the rigid plastic parts of a decorative display can all cause serious cuts and lacerations. This risk is another facet of premises liability and holiday decorations that property owners must consider. A shattered ornament on a walkway in a Garden City apartment complex or the sharp edge of a light-up reindeer figure in a store can easily slice skin, potentially causing deep wounds, nerve damage, or scarring.
Property owners are expected to regularly inspect their decorations for damage and promptly clean up or repair any broken items. Failure to do so can lead to a premises liability claim if a guest is injured. For injuries involving significant medical treatment, consulting with experienced Kansas injury attorneys can help ensure your recovery needs are fully addressed.
Contact a Trusted Kansas Injury Attorney
The holiday season should be a time of celebration, not a time for dealing with a painful injury caused by another’s negligence. If you or a family member has been hurt due to unsafe holiday decorations at a private home, a retail store, or a public venue in Kansas, know that you have rights. The Kansas injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you–even on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Should you or a loved one suffer a holiday injury, do not hesitate to call us for assistance.
You can reach Patterson Legal Group by phone at 888-687-2400. If you prefer to make contact online, you can speak with our online LiveChat agents or submit your free consultation request through our secure contact form. Our esteemed trial lawyers have recovered top settlements for clients throughout Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Reach out to us today to get the legal representation you need and the results you want.
