Top Causes of Preventable Death
The loss of a loved one can be extremely painful. Their absence in your life is a wound that never completely closes. This tragedy is made worse when your loved one died as the result of a preventable accident. In such cases, the White Plains, NY wrongful death lawyers of Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP can help.
Below, we would like to consider some of the most common causes of preventable deaths in America. We will then consider how negligence can play a role in these leading causes of preventable death.
Statistics on Preventable Deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the following five circumstances as the leading causes of preventable death in America:
- Heart Disease - 34 percent could have been avoided, approximately 92,000 preventable deaths
- Cancer - 21 percent could have been avoided, approximately 84,500 preventable deaths
- Unintentional Injuries - 39 percent could have been avoided, approximately 37,000 preventable deaths
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease - 39 percent could have been avoided, approximately 29,000 preventable deaths
- Strokes - 33 percent could have been avoided, approximately 17,000 preventable deaths
Does Negligence Contribute to Preventable Death?
Negligence can play a role in any of the above examples of preventable death. Issues with diagnosis could result in heart and respiratory problems not being caught and treated in proper time. The phrase “unintentional injuries” covers a wide range of serious harm, from motor vehicle accidents to physical altercations to severe physical trauma sustained in other ways.
If negligence played a role in the loss of your loved one, our White Plains attorneys are here to help. Below are some examples of negligence contributing to deaths that could have been prevented.
Preventable Deaths Caused by Medical Mistakes
Johns Hopkins released a sobering study in 2016 that should give everyone pause. According to their findings, medical errors cause an estimated 10 percent of all deaths in the United States each year. Approximately 250,000 people die due to issues with their medical care, making medical errors the third leading cause of death in America.
Medical mistakes cover all kinds of mishaps, from misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis to surgical errors and a failure to administer proper treatment.
Preventable Deaths Caused by Auto Accidents
Over the summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their 2018 statistics on auto collisions. Based on preliminary numbers, 36,750 people were killed in car accidents last year, a slight decrease from the 37,133 in 2017. That comes out to 1.14 fatalities for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Fatal collisions can occur for all sorts of reasons, including speeding, drunk driving, driver fatigue, and even faulty vehicle parts and design.
Preventable Deaths Caused by Serious Falls
We take for granted just how serious falls can be. The CDC notes that 1 in every 5 falls can result in serious injuries, such as broken bones and head trauma. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes that falls are the leading cause of deaths for people in the construction industry.
Whether at work or at a seemingly safe business, fatal falls can be an issue. This is why it’s important to have bannisters, handrails, and guardrails present when needed. Safety lines and good safety standards can prevent fatal falls at worksites.
Contact Our Law Firm
Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP is here to help people who have lost loved ones recovery legal damages. If you have lost a member of your family, we encourage you to contact our team of fatal injury and accident lawyers. You can reach our White Plains law firm by phone at (914) 686-3700.