Poisoning Is a Leading Cause of Injury Death in Florida
In Florida, drug overdoses are classified as poisonings, and drug overdose is the most common form of poisoning injury. In a partial reflection of the problems that opioids and other drugs continue to pose for adults of all ages, statistics from Florida Health show that in 2016, poisoning was recorded as the reason for 4,985 injury-related fatalities across the state, making it the leading cause of injury death.
People between 25 and 64 accounted for 4,311, or 86 percent, of poisoning deaths in Florida. While drug addiction can be incredibly hard to combat, there are precautions that can be taken to prevent people from getting their hands on drugs they should not be able to access. Following a doctor’s orders about the correct dosage and use and storing prescription medicines securely can also help.
Drugs, however, are not alone in claiming lives too early. Household cleaning products, makeup, and personal care products are other common causes of poisoning. That’s why cleaning products carry instructions and warnings that are important to follow. Mixing different chemicals can cause harmful reactions; for example, when bleach and ammonia interact, gaseous cyanide can be produced. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm and making sure its batteries are fresh can alert you to poisonous levels of this colorless, odorless gas in your home. Keeping ovens and other appliances in good repair is another important preventative measure.
Car crashes, falls and firearms are other leading causes of injury death
Of course, poisoning is far from the only risk that Floridians face. Following falls and car accidents, each of which killed over 3,100 people, firearm incidents were the fourth most common cause of injury death in Florida. In 2016, 2,696 people were killed by guns, and people over the age of 65 and between the ages of 25 and 34 were more likely to die from a firearm injury than individuals in any other age group. Suffocation, drowning, cuts or piercings, fire or flame injuries, transportation accidents and nature/environmental causes rounded out the top 10 causes of Florida injury deaths.
Even when you are on the lookout for potential dangers and you follow all the safety rules, someone else’s mistake or recklessness could make you the victim of an unintentional injury — and subject you to expenses ranging from medical bills and repair costs to lost income. If you’ve suffered a personal injury in Central Florida, the attorneys at Largey Law can help you to seek financial compensation for the economic toll you’ve experienced. We also represent individuals harmed by irresponsible product makers, such as those who fail to include proper warnings on the labels of prescription drugs or cleaning products. To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer, call us at 352.508.1485 or contact us online. Largey Law has offices in Clermont, Inverness and Tavares.
