Halloween – a time for creepy crawlers, ghosts, witches and things that go “boo” in the night. But there is more to this fun holiday than meets the eye.
While you are trying to decide what costume to wear and what party to attend, some personal injury lawyers may be gearing up for ways to use Halloween – and our courts – to make a buck over the ghostliest reasons.
But there are precautions you can take to keep from falling into a lawsuit trap. If you are accepting trick-or-treaters:
- Keep the pathway to your doorbell well lit and safe;
- Lock up your pets;
- Only distribute securely wrapped candy or treats in original packaging; and
- Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns out of the way of children.
If you are hosting a party, here are a few tips for keeping a lawsuit out of your plastic pumpkin:
- For parties in your home or office, plan transportation for your guests, including designated drivers, taxis or ride shares for a safe ride home, and have ample and appealing nonalcoholic beverages for your designated drivers;
- Avoid providing a self-service bar, opting instead for a bartender well-versed in identifying underage and intoxicated drinkers;
- Halt the flow of alcoholic beverages long before the party ends; and
- Take action if a guest does overindulge, arranging for transportation home.
You can help keep Halloween-like horrors away and ensure that access to our courts is preserved for justice — not greed, boos or bumps in the night.
