Is Black Friday Getting Out of Control?

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Is Black Friday Getting Out of Control?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

We all know about Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving (or, more recently, Thanksgiving night) when retailers offer their “best deals of the season” in an attempt to kick off the holiday season “in the black.” Many people leave their Thanksgiving holidays early to stand in long lines, sometimes in inclement weather, hoping to score great deals on everything from TV’s to kitchen appliances to limited quantity toys.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys and many others noticed a disturbing trend this Black Friday. Yahoo! News notes that “as reports of shopping-related violence rolled in this week from Los Angeles to New York, experts say a volatile mix of desperate retailers and cutthroat marketing has hyped the traditional post-Thanksgiving sales to increasingly frenzied levels. With stores opening earlier, bargain-obsessed shoppers often are sleep-deprived and short-tempered. Arriving in darkness, they also find themselves vulnerable to savvy parking-lot muggers.”

This is a sinister twist for the day that many people consider the kick-off to the holiday season. Chicago personal injury attorneys are familiar with “mob mentality” and how personal injury accidents – and even wrongful death – can result. In years past, shoppers have actually been trampled to death when doors to certain discount retailers are opened, admitting the masses of people who have often spent hours in line.

As we put this particular Black Friday behind us, our Chicago personal injury attorneys would like to encourage shoppers to keep a few common sense tips in mind for avoiding personal injury during the shopping rushes yet to come:

Shop Smart: Before you head out in the late evening or early morning hours, make sure you have researched the products you are interested in buying and their prices. Can you find them cheaper (or for a few dollars more) online? Remember, waking up in the middle of the night and driving to a retail location have a cost.

Be Aware: If you are taking advantage of extended hours, shopping in the early morning or late evening when parking lots are dark, be cautious. There may be muggers waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Do not hesitate to ask a store employee to accompany you to your vehicle if you feel unsafe.

Rest Up: Sleep deprivation poses all types of risks during the holiday season. If you are planning an off-hour shopping trip, make sure you get enough sleep in advance to avoid falling asleep at the wheel on your way to or from the mall. Staying well rested will also help you avoid impulse buys, ugly altercations with other customers and many other unpleasant experiences.

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Malman Law hope you all have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Malman Law shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Steve Malman

Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, truck accidents, car accidents, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases in Chicago, IL.

Years of experience: +30 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active and authorized to practice law—Last Registered Year: 2024

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