Thanksgiving in the ER? Louisiana Is Nearly Worst In America

The countdown is on to one of the happiest days of the year! Or maybe it's a trip to the ER?

Get our free mobile app

Thanksgiving! A day dedicated to giving thanks for all our blessings; and turkey, dressing, pecan pie, sweet tea and football!

So why is it that here in Louisiana, so many will spending that day in the emergency room?

According to the results of a new study from ladahlaw.com, who analyzed data from the American Hospital Association, only one state, North Dakota, actually sends more people to the emergency room on Thanksgiving than we do here in the Bayou State.

With 588 visits to the ER per 1,000 in population, North Dakota tops this list, but Louisiana isn't far behind with a whopping 574 visits per 1,000 population.

What Are The Leading Causes For Trips To The ER On Thanksgiving?

Obviously geography can play a factor into causes for trips to the ER, as is the case in North Dakota, where slippery sidewalks and icy roads during Thanksgiving often lead to falls, with residents heading to the ER for fractures or sprains as they gather for the holiday.

Geography also plays a role in states where hunting is popular when ER visits from hunting mishaps, as family hunting trips are a popular but occasionally risky holiday tradition.

However, as is the case in Louisiana, these ER trips are often the result of meal production with cooking-related burns as families fry turkeys, or nasty cuts as people handle sharp knives.

Other causes stem from increased travel for the holiday with traffic-related ER visits due to crowded roads and weather-related road conditions.

Yes, Even The Food Sends A Lot Of People To The ER On Thanksgiving

Across the country, emergency rooms are filled with people suffering from food poisoning due to improperly prepared dishes.

Overeating is another of those issues sending scores of people to the ER as these feasts can lead to digestive emergencies, and some suffering severe heartburn or other gastric issues.

Ramzy Ladah, owner/lead attorney of Ladah Law Firm weighed in on the findings,

"From cooking-related burns to traffic accidents, each state faces its own unique set of seasonal risks during the holiday. Taking extra precautions—whether it’s being careful with knives in the kitchen or driving safely on icy roads—can make a big difference in avoiding an unexpected trip to the ER."