A LAWYER is giving party hosts insider tips on avoiding legal issues over the holidays.
The legal expert says that Americans hosting Thanksgiving should consider three major factors to avoid being sued.
A lawyer is giving tips on how to avoid legal issues when hosting a Thanksgiving dinner (stock photo)Credit: Getty
Hosts can face a number of legal issues (stock photo)Credit: Getty
Jay McDivitt, an attorney at the personal injury firm Cannon & Dunphy, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the biggest thing hosts should look out for is that all food is cooked correctly.
Salmonella, a bacterium commonly found in raw meat such as turkey and chicken, is easily the number one offender in foodborne illnesses.
The bacteria can cross-contaminate food on the table, leading diners to develop fever, vomiting, cramping, and other symptoms.
Contracting Salmonella will have a significant impact on elderly or immunocompromised people.
However, suing a Thanksgiving host over foodborne illnesses would be a tough case to win, according to McDivitt.
To win the case, the guest would have to test every food item at the table to prove that the salmonella came from that dinner.
“I wouldn’t take that case,” McDivitt said.
“I don’t want to sue your mother-in-law.”
Food poisoning from home-cooked meals is a lot harder to fight than when a guest contracts food poisoning at a restaurant.
At home, cooks aren’t held to the same standards as chefs at a restaurant.
Complainants would have to collect medical records, lab test results, and expert testimony to win a lawsuit over a home-cooked meal.
The second major thing McDivitt urges party hosts to look out for is injuries that happen at a party.
Guests who are injured after falling at a party may sue the homeowner, which is why McDivitt advises all homeowners to carry insurance or renters insurance.
Most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for guests who are injured at a function.
Turkey Tips
If you cook up a turkey this Thanksgiving, there are a few tricks you can use to ensure a tasty bird.
- Start at a higher temperature to crisp the skin, then reduce the heat.
- After cooking, let the turkey rest for 20 minutes under foil. This allows the juices to redistribute into the meat.
- Avoid basting the turkey while it cooks. This can increase the cooking time and dry out the turkey.
- If you forget to remove the giblets before cooking, you can wrap them in paper and cook them safely inside the turkey.
- Don’t leave a raw turkey out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Finally, McDivitt advises homeowners to familiarize themselves with their state’s alcohol laws.
In some states, hosts can be fined for serving alcohol to those under the age of 21.
McDivitt’s final advice is just to enjoy the party and hope nothing goes wrong.
“Wash your hands, and you know, cross your fingers and pray,” McDivitt said.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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