Mottley Law Firm - December 2021

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A WORKPLACE FALL! 3 HOLIDAY HAZARDS TO WATCH FOR

MEET YOUR NEW FAVORITE WINTER SPORT

SNOWSHOEING IS A FUN, EASY OPTION FOR ALL AGES

When celebrities jet off to Aspen, Colorado, for their winter vacations, they might not all be going to ski. According to Forbes, Aspen is also a top snowshoeing destination — and that’s a sport that celebrities and ordinary people of all ages can enjoy. Snowshoeing is a simple activity that dates back at least 6,000 years. It involves strapping large flipper-like attachments called snowshoes to your boots. The attachments distribute your weight and let you walk over banks of powder without sinking. You can use them to navigate flat plains, rolling hills, or steep mountains depending on the type of shoe you invest in. On top of its unique history, these three major perks to snowshoeing just might make it your favorite winter sport. 1. If you can walk, you can snowshoe! Unlike other energy-intensive sports like skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing is safe and relatively easy for folks of all ages. Some outdoorsmen and women snowshoe into their 70s and beyond, so a snowshoe outing is a great way for grandparents and grandkids to bond while getting some aerobics in. 2. Speaking of aerobics, snowshoeing is also a great workout. When you strap on your snowshoes, you can burn up to 50% more calories than you would while hiking (depending on your pace and the type of terrain). Athletes who want to really amp up the exercise can even invest in jogging snowshoes! 3. Last but not least, snowshoeing is scenic! When you’re whizzing down a mountain on a snowboard or skis, you don’t have time to take in the view. But on snowshoes, you can soak up all of the winter beauty around you. You can even bring your camera along on your trek to capture pictures of any flora and fauna you see. If you want to try snowshoeing this winter, make sure you start with an easy trail and consult your doctor and/or physical therapist before you go. Always bring along a backpack of emergency supplies like a blanket and first aid kit, too, and consider purchasing or renting hiking poles along with your snowshoes to boost your stability. For more insider tips, visit SnowshoeMag.com.

Christmas isn’t just the most wonderful time of the year — it’s also one of the most dangerous, especially at work. People slip, trip, and fall in their offices year-round, but during the winter, we see an uptick in “premises liability” cases (also known as “slip and falls” or “trip and falls”). These are often a lot more serious than cartoons slipping on banana peels. If you fall at work, you could end up with broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, and/or thousands of dollars in hospital bills. To protect yourself, watch out for these three holiday hazards. Hazard 1: Icy Parking Lots The most dangerous part of your winter commute might be the 100 yards between your car and the front door of your office. This holiday season, be sure to watch where you walk, wear grippy shoes, and ask management about salting icy parking lots and sidewalks. Hazard 2: Stray Holiday Decorations Has your boss asked you to climb a ladder to hang Christmas lights at the office? Are there dozens of cords for animated elves and Santa criss-crossing your workplace hallways? If so, use caution when you step! Hazard 3: Precarious Mountains of Merchandise Last year, The U.S. Postal Service shipped an estimated three billion packages during the holiday season. Things might be even crazier this year with worldwide shortages and supply chain hiccups. If your office stocks merchandise, keep an eye out for falling objects in store rooms and warehouses. Folks in a hurry aren’t careful stackers. Of course, sometimes, even vigilance isn’t enough to prevent an accident. If you are injured at work because of dangerous conditions outside of your control, you should call our firm right away. We’re experts in Virginia’s slip and fall cases and can hold your employer (or the other commercial business where you fell) accountable. You can reach us at MottleyLawFirm.com or by calling (804) 823-2011.

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