Holiday Decorations & Trip Injuries

The holiday season is supposed to be full of joy, family gatherings, and sparkling decorations—but it’s also one of the most dangerous times of the year for fall-related injuries. Between tangled holiday lights, overloaded electrical outlets, and cluttered living spaces, holiday decorating accidents send thousands to the emergency department each December.

If you or a loved one is injured because of unsafe decorations, poorly maintained property, or another person’s negligence, you may be wondering who’s legally responsible. In California, determining liability for holiday trip and fall injuries often comes down to one key issue: premises liability.

The Hidden Dangers Behind Holiday Cheer

It’s easy to overlook the hazards that come with decking the halls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that each year, more than 12,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for holiday decorating injuries, and falls are the number one cause.

Common causes include:

• Ladders tipping while hanging outdoor lights
• Loose cords or tinsel creating trip hazards
• Fragile ornaments shattering and causing cuts
• Electrical decorations overheating or sparking fires
• Cluttered walkways in crowded homes or stores
• Slippery floors from spilled food or drinks during holiday celebrations 

Even a short visit to admire a neighbor’s Christmas tree or attend a New Year’s Eve party can lead to a serious accident if safety standards are ignored.

When Decorations Turn Dangerous

In California, premises liability law holds property owners—whether homeowners, landlords, or businesses—responsible for maintaining safe conditions for guests. That includes making sure holiday decorations don’t create potential hazards that could lead to injury.

A few examples of unsafe holiday setups include:

• Loose extension cords stretching across hallways or stairs
• Poorly secured trees that can topple over
• Candles placed too close to curtains or flammable materials
• Outdoor lights left hanging in pathways or driveways
• Broken ornaments left where children can step on them
• Overloaded power strips or electrical outlets that start small fires

If the property owner’s negligence—for example, failing to secure cords, clean spills, or fix broken steps—led to your injury, you may have the right to seek compensation.

Property Owner Responsibilities During the Holidays

Under California law, property owners and occupiers have a duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. That includes taking extra precautions when the holidays bring increased foot traffic, decorations, and gatherings.

This duty extends to:

• Inspecting for hazards (such as frayed lights or loose flooring)
• Repairing unsafe conditions promptly
• Warning visitors of temporary risks (like wet floors or step-down areas)
• Properly storing decorations to avoid trip hazards 

If a property owner ignores these responsibilities and an injury occurs, they can be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering under premises liability law.

Even landlords can be found at fault if they fail to maintain common areas—for example, hallways or staircases—where tenants place holiday decorations that cause trip injuries.

Common Holiday Injuries That Lead to Legal Claims

The holiday spirit often masks real risks. Among the most common injuries linked to holiday decorating are:

• Sprains, fractures, and head injuries from ladder falls
• Cuts and punctures from broken glass ornaments or nails
• Burns caused by electrical decorations or candles
• Concussions from falling decorations or heavy trees
• Trip-and-fall injuries from cluttered floors or loose tinsel

While some injuries heal quickly, others can cause long-term complications—especially for older adults or children. In many cases, these injuries are preventable with basic safety measures, such as clearing walkways, securing ladders, and using UL-approved lights.

When Businesses Deck the Halls—And Neglect Safety

Premises liability doesn’t just apply to homes. Retail stores, restaurants, and shopping centers that go all out for the holiday season must also ensure that their decorations don’t endanger customers.

Common issues include:

• Poorly lit areas where trip hazards go unnoticed
• Wires or extension cords stretched across aisles
• Decorative displays blocking emergency exits
• Wet floors near entranceways after holiday rainstorms 

If a store employee or manager failed to keep the area safe—or ignored complaints about dangerous decorations—the business could be liable for injuries occurred on their property.

A personal injury lawyer can help determine whether the property owner’s negligence or employee behavior caused your fall-related injury.

Proving Negligence in Holiday Accident Cases

To successfully pursue a premises liability claim, your attorney must prove four key elements:

1. The property owner had a duty of care to maintain a safe environment.
2. They breached that duty by creating or failing to fix a hazard.
3. That breach directly caused your injury.
4. You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.

For example, if a homeowner placed a decorative cord across a dark hallway and failed to secure it properly—and you tripped over it while visiting—you may have a valid claim. The same applies if a retail store neglected to clean up a spilled drink near their holiday display.

Gathering Evidence After a Holiday Injury

After a holiday accident, it’s critical to gather evidence right away. The decorations that caused your trip injury might be removed or changed within hours.

Here’s what to document:

• Photos or videos of the hazard (tinsel, cords, broken ornaments, etc.)
• The location and lighting conditions
• Witness statements from guests, employees, or other visitors
• A copy of the incident report, if filed with the property owner or store
• Medical records showing the extent of your injuries
• Receipts or estimates for treatment, mobility aids, or therapy

This evidence helps your attorney show that the property owner’s negligence led to your accident.

What to Do Immediately After a Holiday Fall

If you’re hurt in a holiday decoration accident, follow these steps to protect your health and your case:

1. Seek medical attention immediately—even if you think it’s minor.
2. Report the incident to the property owner or manager.
3. Take photos before the hazard is removed.
4. Collect contact details of witnesses.
5. Avoid posting about the incident on social media.
6. Contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.

The holiday season can make legal claims trickier. Property owners might argue that you were distracted or that your injuries were due to your own carelessness. Having strong evidence and legal representation can make the difference between denial and fair compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Liability depends on where and how the injury occurred. Possible responsible parties include:

• Homeowners, for unsafe decorations during a private gathering
• Businesses, for hazards in public areas
• Property management companies, for failing to maintain common areas 
• Event organizers, if the space was rented for a holiday celebration 
• Manufacturers, if a defective electrical decoration caused burns or fire injuries

In some cases, multiple parties share responsibility—for instance, a landlord who ignored reports of faulty wiring and a tenant who overloaded the outlet with holiday lights.

When the Injury Happens at a Friend’s or Relative’s House

The holidays are full of home visits, parties, and neighborhood events. If you’re injured at a loved one’s house, you might hesitate to pursue a claim—but keep in mind that most homeowner’s insurance policies cover these types of premises liability claims.

You’re not suing your friend directly; you’re filing a claim against their insurance company. That coverage exists for exactly these kinds of accidents.

A compassionate personal injury attorney can handle the claim discreetly, ensuring you get medical treatment and compensation without creating personal conflict.

What Compensation Can Cover

Victims of holiday trip injuries can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (hospital visits, physical therapy, medication)
• Lost wages from missed work
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Long-term rehabilitation costs 

In more severe cases—such as electrical fires or broken bones from ladder falls—your attorney can pursue additional damages for future medical care or permanent disability.

Preventing Holiday Accidents Before They Happen

A few simple safety measures can help everyone enjoy a holiday season without a trip to the emergency room:

• Use non-slip mats on stairs and entryways.
• Secure loose cords with clips or tape.
• Keep candles away from flammable materials.
• Use LED lights instead of traditional bulbs to reduce heat and energy use.
• Avoid overloading power strips.
• Clean up food spills immediately.
• Place fragile ornaments and glass décor out of children’s reach.

Even property owners who mean well can overlook these simple steps—until someone gets hurt.

Protecting Your Rights After a Holiday Injury

An unexpected injury can turn a joyful holiday into a stressful ordeal. If you were hurt because a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions or created a hazardous decorating setup, you may be entitled to legal recourse.

At Harker Injury Law, our team has extensive experience with premises liability and holiday-related accidents. We understand how to investigate property owner negligence, gather evidence, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Whether you slipped on tinsel in a store aisle or tripped over a hidden cord at a party, we’ll help you pursue the compensation you need to recover.

Injured during the holidays? Call Harker Injury Law at 760-INJURED (760-465-8733).
Our personal injury lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process and hold negligent property owners accountable so you can focus on healing—not hospital bills.