6 Scenarios Where Wedding Festivities Can Lead To Injury

If you have a weakness for Rom-Coms, you will see that one of the most exciting scenes are weddings. After all the drama and laughs your favorite couple finally has their happy ending. It's enough to make you fantasize about your wedding day. The movie “Bridesmaids” starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne is the perfect representation of how eventful planning a wedding is. It has the vivaciousness of quality comedy, but the movie also focused on the stress involved when you plan a wedding. There are so many aspects you need to consider; the food, venue, decorations and the most important thing that is often overlooked: safety. 

Yes, you read that right. Injuries during a wedding are very probable. Last July 2, 2020, two people had serious burns due to a wedding tent that caught fire in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

What can we do to avoid these incidents during weddings? 

How Do Accidents at Weddings Happen?

Think of the popular interpretation of Murphy's law - “Anything that can go wrong, will -- at the worst possible moment.” This is true even for weddings. The two most common accidents are slip and fall injuries and car accidents.   

Slip and fall injuries usually happen during the dance part of the wedding. You are so engrossed in listening to music and having a good time that you don't notice the wet spot, table cloth or loose floorboard. Some falls can result in fractures, depending on the force applied to the area. 

Car accidents are usually the result of driving under influence. That last glass of wine can do more damage than you anticipate. When guests have too much to drink though, any physical injury or property damage can be held accountable to the entity that provided the alcoholic drinks. 

Other possible risks include fires, like the incident I mentioned earlier that happened in Cambodia. A gas leak or loose wire when it comes in contact with flammable materials can result in an uncontrollable inferno. 

A pedestrian accident is also something that could happen during a wedding. You are walking to your vehicle after the party. You feel exhausted from the talking and dancing, and you don't notice another vehicle that suddenly swerves from the corner. 

A weak foundation can also cause serious injury. If you have a stage or platform that cannot support the weight of the people supposed to be there, it can cave in and everyone will fall. The accountability of this rests on the one supplier of the stage or platform. 

Finally, falling props/decorations are a common occurrence. If it's just a plastic leaf then you don't need to worry, but what if it's a wooden letter or a moving-head light? Head injuries from these can be fatal. 

I'm sure you're starting to feel anxious, but don't worry. There are several things you can do to avoid these accidents. 

How to Avoid Accidents at Weddings

There are several things you can do to avoid these accidents and other wedding mishaps. Sometimes it just takes a little foresight to prevent something horrible from happening. 

1. Have a clear plan for the day. When you have finalized all the details of your wedding, make a clear plan for the flow of the day. Your wedding venue and organizers can help with this.
2. Choose your suppliers carefully. Make sure they are trustworthy and they have quality materials. You can ask for recommendations from the venue. 
3. Prepare for guests that may abuse the alcohol. We all have that one distant relative who loves to take advantage of the free-flowing alcohol. If you have a suspicion that one of your guests doesn't know how to control themselves then you can discuss with your alcohol provider or organizer how to limit the intake of that person. It is also best that they take a taxi going home. 
4. Have a wet weather plan. Outdoor weddings are cute, but we need to remember that the weather is very unpredictable. You need to have a back-up location in case you notice the skies becoming gray. This can avoid inconvenience as well as slip and fall injuries.

What to Do If an Accident Happens?

On the big day, you can follow all of the precautions mentioned to the point of being a Bride-zilla. However, just like the weather, scenarios at a wedding are unpredictable. An accident could still happen no matter how many times you double-checked your to-do list. 

When this happens and you are done seeking medical attention, it is always best to get legal assistance next. Even a simple sprain caused by a loose floorboard deserves attention. The experts at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk believe in the importance of defending injured victims. The venue or supplier can be liable in situations like this due to negligence. 

You need to gather information from witnesses to testify what happened and how the accident was caused. This can be embarrassing for the guest, but it is necessary to get a clear picture of the incident. 

You also need to see if you are entitled to compensation. If the fault wasn't yours and it was caused by the substandard materials of the venue or suppliers, then you can request it from those liable. 

Some victims may feel guilty about filing a premises liability claim. This is because the bride and groom might be affected. However, seeking legal attention will only bring clarity to the situation and it will make those that exhibited negligence liable to the couple. 

An example of this is the case of car accidents. Usually, wedding venues require the participants to provide proof of liability insurance. This means that you can file a claim against the responsible party's insurance company. 

Nobody wants to make a scene or cause inconvenience at a wedding. However, negligence must be held accountable to the respective party. All vendors and the venue itself must make sure that their materials and equipment are in good condition. This is so the couple can get their money's worth and have a positive memory of the wedding.

Always remember that as a guest, you are entitled to legal help whenever an accident happens during an event. You must know your rights and pinpoint negligence. This is necessary to prevent further accidents in the future.

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