April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and it’s a great time to discuss drinking responsibly. Alcohol has been drunk since at least 7000–6600 BCE, but it is only in the last generation or two that we have come to appreciate how dangerous it can be. Not only can excessive alcohol use contribute to many illnesses, including the risk of some cancers, but it can also increase the risk of injury.
Alcohol slows down response times, increases fatigue, and leads to poor decision-making. While we usually think of alcohol as causing car collisions in Hollywood and other communities, it can also lead to:
- Boating accidents: The motion of the water and the glare can exacerbate the effects of alcohol, making crashes with other boats and others in the water more likely.
- Slip and fall accidents: Alcohol can affect motor skills, making falls more of a risk.
- Pedestrian accidents: Walking home after drinking can seem safer than driving home, but pedestrians who have been drinking may stumble onto the road, fall on the sidewalk, fail to cross at crosswalks safely, and take additional risks. If you have been drinking, it may be safest to stay at hotel or friend’s home or to get a sober friend or a taxi to take you home.
- Workplace accidents: Whether you work around heavy machinery or in an office, alcohol can increase the risk of falls and other accidents. Alcohol use can also mean an injured worker does not get workers’ compensation.
Preventing Alcohol-Related Personal Injury in Homestead
We hear a lot about “drinking responsibly” and what that means is limiting drinking to amounts and times which reduce risk. For example, having a drink or two at a party while maintaining the ability to make good decisions, is responsible. Drinking before work, a sports practice, or any situation where you need to think clearly is dangerous, as is drinking to the point where your motor skills and thinking are affected.
In many cases, alcohol-related injuries in Homestead are the result of substance dependence. Someone who is reliant on alcohol may start to drink before work, when driving, and at other at-risk times. If you or anyone you know is suffering from dependence, seek help.
If you have been injured by someone who has been drinking, you may have a claim. Pursuing a claim can help you seek compensation for lost wages, medical costs, and other expenses related to your injuries. A claim can also encourage someone who has a problem to pursue treatment.
If you have been injured and would like to know whether you may have a claim, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Homestead personal injury attorney. Our team has recovered over $100 million in settlements and court wins for our clients and we have more than 60 years of combined experience.