What Are the Most Common Accidental Injuries?

Colburn Law

Posted in Personal Injury on July 2, 2018

While there are plenty of injuries that occur due to negligence or malice, many simply are the result of accidents. Though they may seem small, accidental injuries can be quite severe. A slip and fall accident in a dangerous location on with a poor landing can cause severe damage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there were over 30 million emergency department visits for accidental injuries in 2015. In the same year, 146,571 accidental injuries led to deaths. Accidental falls, motor vehicle accidents, and unintentional poisoning were some of the highest-ranking causes of death.

To increase your awareness and help you avoid injury, here are some tips concerning some of the most common accidental injuries. For more information contact a personal injury lawyer in Seattle or Bellevue today.

Slip and Fall Accidents

As the leading cause of accidental death, slip and fall accidents are an example of how something so simple can have severe consequences. Depending on where you fall, you risk landing on a hard surface. If you fail to catch yourself, you may knock your head against the ground or another object, which can result in traumatic brain injury. Falling from a great height can also lead to extensive damage.

Grab bars and proper railings in risk locations help mitigate the dangers of slip and fall accidents. In homes especially, bathtubs and showers have some of the highest risk for slip and falls. Proper maintenance of dangerous conditions, such as spilled liquids and unsafe walk conditions, also helps prevent these accidents. See here for information on how a premises liability attorney can help you fight for compensation for your injuries.

Poisoning

Unintentional poisoning is one of the top causes of death for young adults and middle-aged people. Many people combine medicines without being aware of potential negative effects. Though not all medicines create poisonous reactions when combined, it is always best to check with a medical professional before trying any drug combinations.

Children are also at a risk for poisoning through medicines and harmful household products. Such risk items should always remain out of the reach of children. With medicines, it is important that parents do not refer to any pills as “candy,” as this can lead to grave overdoses.

If you are tending to a poisoned person and he or she is still conscious, determine how poisoning occurred and contact a National Poison Control Center for advice. If they are unconscious and you suspect food or medication poisoning, call 911 or seek immediate help at the nearest emergency room.

Fire and Burns

Fires pose a great injury risk. Many fire damages start because people leave open flames, kitchen appliances, or other electrical devices unattended. Besides always keeping an eye on risk factors and never leaving children alone with flames or fire starters, you should also run regular checks on fire alarms.

You can treat first- and second-degree burns with cool water, dressings, and antibiotics for any open wounds. Larger wounds and both third- and fourth-degree burns require immediate professional medical assistance.

Airway Obstruction

Choking, suffocation, and strangulation are all forms of airway obstruction. Young children are very much at risk for these types of injuries. Infants should sleep on their backs in a safe sleep environment with no other objects that might block air passages. You should keep any object small enough to fit through a toilet paper roll away from small children, as these items can cause choking.

To help a choking person, first hold him or her by the waist, from behind, and administer five blows between the shoulder blades. Then, hold your fist with the thumb against the person’s abdomen and give five quick thrusts. You should repeat this process until the object leaves the windpipe or until additional help arrives.

Accidental injuries have many risks. Thankfully, they are preventable and treatable in most cases. A little awareness and preparation can help reduce the chances of any of these accidents becoming fatal. For more information on the legal steps to take following an accident, contact Colburn Law today.