When accidental death occur due to negligence, wrongful death actions can help victims’ families
According to the National Safety Council, preventable injuries are the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. This June, as part of National Safety Month, the NSC will be releasing various materials designed to help prevent injuries and deaths.
Top Risks By Age Group
- Under 12 months: For infants, the top risk of accidental death is by mechanical suffocation. More than 2 preventable deaths from suffocation occur every day.
- Age 1 to 24: Traffic accidents cause nearly 21 accidental deaths among kids, teens, and young adults each day.
- Age 25 to 64: Poisoning is the leading cause of accidental death among adults in this age group. More than 92 adults lose their lives daily due to poisoning, largely from misuse of prescription medication.
- Age 65 and up: More than 69 seniors pass on as a consequence of preventable falls each day.
Preventing Accidental Deaths
The National Safety Council offers some tips for preventing these kinds of accidental deaths, such as:
- Never let infants sleep in their parents’ beds
- Keep blankets and stuffed animals out of cribs
- Always use appropriate car seats and seat belts
- Avoid using electronic devices of any kind while driving
- Seek alternatives to prescription pain medication
- Never share prescriptions with friends and family
- Install grab bars in seniors’ bathrooms
- Provide adequate lighting in all stairwells
Compensation for Wrongful Deaths
While preventing accidental deaths is a worthy effort, unfortunately accidents can still happen. When these fatal accidents occur due to another party’s negligence, the victims’ families can and should seek compensation with the help of a wrongful death attorney.
Car accidents and slip and fall accidents are two prime examples of incidents that could lead to wrongful death claims. For example, perhaps a teenager was struck and killed by a drunk driver, or an older person slipped, fell, and suffered fatal injuries because a store was negligent in cleaning up a wet floor. Their families would deserve compensation. This compensation could take the form of reimbursement for any medical bills incurred prior to the death, for the lost income or household services provided by the deceased, for funeral costs and burial expenses, and for “loss of consortium” or the loss of the deceased person’s love, care, and companionship.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident of any kind, Fernando D. Vargas is here to help. Call us at 909-982-0707 now to request a free consultation and learn more about your rights and options as a survivor of a victim of wrongful death.
