Most Common Causes of Preventable Death
Losing a loved one is never easy. Matters are made worse when this death could have been prevented. In a number of cases, another person or party may be responsible for the loved one’s premature passing. It’s important that these negligent parties be taken to task in a wrongful death lawsuit.
The team at the Foley Law Firm would like to look at the most common causes of preventable death. Our Scranton, PA attorneys will then examine how recklessness or negligence may have contributed to the loss of a loved one’s life, with statistics that note the potential for preventable death.
The Five Leading Causes of Preventable Death
There are five common causes of preventable death in the United States according to facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These causes of preventable death are as follows:
- Heart Disease - 34 percent were preventable, approximately 92,000 lives lost
- Cancer - 21 percent were preventable, approximately 84,500 lives lost
- Unintentional Injuries - 39 percent were preventable, approximately 37,000 lives lost
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease - 39 percent were preventable, approximately 29,000 lives lost
- Strokes - 33 percent were preventable, approximately 17,000 lives lost
Possible Negligence and Preventable Death
The above causes of preventable death could have been linked to acts of negligence or recklessness. In such cases, it’s important that you hold that negligent party accountable for what they have done. When discussing the loss of a loved one with attorneys at our Scranton law firm, we will discuss whether or not negligence may have played a role in your loved one’s death.
Below we’ll consider different kinds of negligence and how they could be related to the preventable death of a loved one.
Deaths Caused by Medical Errors
Mistakes by doctors, surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists must always be taken seriously. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.
In 2016, an eye-opening study on medical errors by Johns Hopkins made national headlines. According to the analysis of this study, up to 250,000 deaths per year were the result of medical errors. That is the third highest cause of death in America, and accounts for 10 percent of all deaths in the country each year.
Deaths Caused by Auto Accidents
Unintentional injuries can cover a broad range of physical trauma. Auto accidents are counted in this category, and they claim countless lives each year.
June saw the release of preliminary figures on fatal crashes in 2018 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to these statistics, 36,750 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes last year.
Deaths Caused by Falls
Falls can be deadlier than you realize, especially if a person drops from a high place or is vulnerable to the trauma of a fall.
Each year, statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes that falls are the leading cause of deaths in the construction injury, causing more than 39 percent of construction fatalities in 2017. In addition, numbers from the CDC point to the dangers of falls for the elderly population; more than 3 million senior citizens go to the emergency room because of falls each year.
Speak with a Skilled Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you live in Scranton and would like more information about your legal options following the loss of a loved one, be sure to contact a skilled wrongful death attorney. The team at Foley Law Firm can be reached by phone at (570) 342-8194.