Christmas Light Installation Injuries: Who’s Liable When Someone Gets Hurt?

The holiday season is meant to be festive—filled with bright lights, decorations, and quality time with family. But every year, thousands of people end up in the emergency room because something went wrong while decorating. In fact, an estimated 18,000 people are treated annually for Christmas decoration–related injuries, many involving falls or electrical hazards.

Whether you’re hanging lights yourself or hiring a professional, it’s important to understand the risks—and your legal options—if an accident occurs.

Common Injuries During Christmas Light Installation

Decorating often seems harmless, but working at heights, handling electrical wiring, and rushing to “get it done” can quickly turn dangerous. Some common injuries linked to Christmas light installation include:

• Falls from roofs, especially on steep pitches or slick surfaces caused by frost or moisture

• Ladder accidents, often due to poor placement, uneven ground, or defective ladders

• Electrocution or burns from damaged wiring, overloaded outlets, or contact with power lines

• Harness or safety equipment failures during professional installations

• Injuries from falling tools or decorations

• Back, shoulder, or knee injuries caused by overreaching or improper lifting

Some of these incidents are genuine accidents—but others happen because someone failed to take reasonable safety precautions.

Liability for Christmas Light Installation Injuries

Liability depends on who was injured, where the injury occurred, and what caused it. Often, more than one party may share responsibility.

Homeowners or Property Owners

Homeowners and property managers have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. This includes warning contractors of hazards, providing safe access points, or addressing known dangers on the property.

Employers

If a contractor or worker is injured while installing lights as part of their job, their employer may be responsible—especially if the injury involved poor training, lack of safety equipment, or unsafe work practices.

Manufacturers

Defective products are a major cause of holiday injuries. Manufacturers may be held liable if an injury was caused by:

• A defective ladder

• Faulty wiring or light sets

• Malfunctioning safety harnesses

• Products sold without proper warnings

Texas law requires demonstrating that the product itself was defective and that the defect—not misuse—caused the injury.

Defective Equipment and Holiday Injury Claims

Liability for defective equipment holds parties responsible when product defects cause harm or injury. This may include ladders with uneven feet, faulty wiring, and harness malfunctions. When malfunctions happen, the injured person files a product liability claim against:

• The manufacturer

• The distributor

• The retailer

These cases often involve technical investigations and expert review, making early legal guidance especially important.

Injured While Installing Christmas Lights? Call Shaw.

No one expects the holidays to end with an ambulance ride or hospital stay. If you or someone you love was injured while installing Christmas lights due to negligence or defective equipment anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Emergency medical care

• Hospital bills and follow-up treatment

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Property damage

• Wrongful death

📞 Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 or use our live chat to schedule your free case evaluation.
No fees. No pressure. Just experienced legal guidance when you need it most.