5 Common Preventable Injuries

While true accidents do occur, more often people are injured in situations that were completely preventable. These incidents are often based on a person or corporation’s decision to act without exercising caution or reasonable care to prevent causing harm to another.

The dedicated Tempe personal injury lawyers at the Phillips Law Group have represented many people injured in a variety of accidents caused by negligence. Below, we discuss examples of the five most common preventable personal injury accidents.

1. Car Accidents

Auto accidentshappen every day and make up a significant number of personal injuries reported in the U.S. Many of these accidents are caused by driver error and could be avoided if the at-fault motorist had driven with caution. Some of the most common causes of auto accidents include:

Many car accidents occur because the at-fault driver did not cautiously drive the vehicle with reasonable care. When a motorist fails to drive in a cautious manner, he or she increases the likelihood of causing a serious accident.

2. Medical Mistakes

Medical practitioners have an obligation to provide their patients with quality care to treat their injuries, illnesses and ailments. Usually, patients receive the quality of care they need to treat their condition. However, sometimes a medical practitioner’s negligence results in harming or worsening a patient’s condition. Common medical errors that may be considered medical malpractice include:

• Diagnosing the wrong medical condition
• Delaying diagnosis of the correct medical condition
• Operating on the wrong body part
• Not listening to a patient’s medical history or prescribed medications
• Inadequately reviewing a patient’s medical chart

These mistakes can occur when health care providers make decisions to cut corners and do not provide patients with the proper degree of care. They can also happen because of fatigue or distraction. However, medical practitioners and hospitals should have the proper training and procedures to avoid causing harm to their patients.

3. Slip and Fall Accidents

Property owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment for their guests and invitees. Failing to do so may cause dangerous hazards or conditions on their property, such as cracks in sidewalks, wet floors and surfaces, or uneven flooring.

Because property owners have a legal obligation to ensure their property is safe, avoidable slip and fall accidents are often the result of an owner’s negligence. Some common causes of slips and falls include:

• Poor maintenance
• Failing to inspect the property for hazards
• Failing to correct hazards discovered on the property
• Failing to warn guests or customers about dangerous conditions

4. Work Injuries

Many workers sustain injuries while performing their job duties. Employers are required to maintain a safe working environment for their employees and have policies in place to prevent workplace accidents.

When a company or corporation fails to uphold workplace safety standards, work-related accidents can occur. Preventable workplace accidents are likely to happen when:

• Workers do not receive adequate safety training
• Employees do not have proper safety equipment
• Employers violate the rules and guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

5. Dog Bites

Although dog owners may not always be able to control their pets, many dog bite injuries are the result of a dog owner’s carelessness or negligence.

There are several ways that a dog owner can take to control his or her pet to prevent a dog attack from occurring, including:

• Training the dog not to bite
• Supervising the dog’s interactions with children and others
• Knowing the animal’s temperament and properly warning visitors
• Keeping the dog on a leash when walking it
• Keeping the dog in a fenced area

Dog owners have an obligation to train or restrain their animal to prevent it from attacking others. If a dog attacks or bites a person or another animal without provocation or when the victim was not trespassing on the owner’s property, the dog’s owner can be held liable for the damages.

Contact an Experienced Lawyer

If you believe that you were injured in a preventable accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The Phillips Law Group’s personal injury attorneys in Phoenix will explain your legal right to pursue compensation during a free, no obligation consultation.

Our attorneys will review your injury claim to determine which party is at-fault and liable for the damages you suffered. We do not charge for our services unless we recover compensation for your claim.

Call 1-800-706-3000 to get started today.