The kids are out of school, which means water parks across the country are back in business. These slippery attractions are known for more than just waterslides and lazy rivers…they’re also known for causing terrible injuries and tragic fatalities.

Worst Waterpark Disasters

Waterparks are full of fun and simultaneous danger. Between flukes in the rides, poor judgment, and the typical dangers of recreational water activities, visitors are suspect to a number of hazards the moment they set foot in the park:

Most Dangerous Waterpark Attractions

Thankfully, millions of people walk out of waterparks alive every year without becoming victims of fatal accidents such as these. However, these popular rides at the waterpark still spark extreme concern when it comes to the safety of visitors:

Common Waterpark Injuries

According to the World Waterpark Association, there were an estimated 1,300 waterparks in North America back in 2015, with an estimated 85 million visitors a year- that’s a lot of chances for injuries to occur. Waterpark injuries range from minor to serious depending on the accident, but most can be prevented with proper supervision and safety precautions:

Waterpark injuries can be the result of faulty equipment, poorly kept walkways, reckless behavior, or lack of lifeguard/parental supervision. Staying alert at all times for signs of danger at the waterpark is critical if you want to maintain a fun-filled day in the sun.

Horrifying Water Illnesses

A study conducted by the University of Michigan showed nearly 10,000 people contract infections from waterparks every year. These infections can be picked up by swallowing contaminated water, breathing in contaminated mist, or even from evaporated contaminated water settling on your skin. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that recreational water illnesses (RWI) often lead to…

Diarrhea is the most common (and unpleasant) result of coming in contact with a RWI at a waterpark, caused by bacteria such as norovirus, Crypto, Shigella, Giardia, and E. coli living and breeding in the water…yuck!

Preventing Waterpark Injuries and Illnesses

Before entering any waterpark this summer, parents should take the necessary time to prepare their kids and teens for the various dangers and hazards they could encounter. Care2 has some excellent safety tips you can put into action this summer on your next waterpark trip:

 

If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury or illness due to the negligence of another, Jacobs & Wallace is here to help. Our expert team of personal injury attorneys will provide a free consultation to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve as a result of any damages suffered.

When you or a loved one is injured in a catastrophic accident, receiving emergency medical services as quickly as possible is the first priority. The last thought on your mind during an emergency is the cost of the medical procedures or whether insurance will cover the lifesaving treatment needed.

Sadly, some areas of the medical field seem to prey on consumers when it comes to charging extraordinary costs for their services, sticking patients with a huge bill the moment they enter recovery:

 

Surprise medical bills are traumatic and financially cruel, especially for individuals already paying high insurance premiums. Several states including Connecticut have enacted laws to help prevent the occurrence of high costing surprise medical bills, but even these regulations have their limits.

CT’s Surprise Bill Law

In 2015, the ‘Surprise Bill Law’ PA #15-146 took effect in Connecticut after consumer complaints regarding surprise medical bills hit alarming rates. Connecticut became one of only six states establishing comprehensive laws protecting consumers in the country, aiming to reduce the number of surprise medical costs received by unsuspecting patients. Here’s what you need to know about the law:

 

When it comes to the Connecticut state health laws, the intention to protect patients may seem comforting at first. However, if a surprise bill lands on your doorstep, they may do little to defend you. Not all insurance plans or services are covered under state health laws and residents should be aware of the loopholes to avoid obscene costs in the future.

Insurances Neglected By CT

Millions of Americans are in a category of health insurance referred to as self-funded insurance, approximately 61 percent of covered employees across the United States. Most state health laws do not apply to these types of plans, particularly larger companies who may operate their headquarters out of other states. Patients who are expecting to be protected by Connecticut health laws might be in for a shock when their bill arrives without doing their research into their plan.

Outrageously Priced Ambulance Rides

Ground ambulatory services are becoming more competitive as the need arises, yet less likely to join insurance plans due to conflict with price agreements. Ambulances can be either private or publicly owned. If you require an ambulance and are unable to choose your service because of your medical condition, you will most likely be protected. But if you’re unaware a service is not In-Network and you willingly accept an ambulance ride under panic, you could be looking at an outrageous cost for a short ride.

Air Ambulances can be lifesaving for serious injuries, but incur outrageous costs for services. U.S. government health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not cover the expenses of these flights, and insurance companies cover little if any of the costs. A larger issue is more and more patients are being flown by these ambulatory services that really don’t need them, costing consumers high costs for and years of disputing bills for unnecessary rides.

Confusing Facility Fees

Connecticut law requires that facility fees be listed on all medical bills for patients knowledge. That’s great…but most patients don’t even know what these fees are! Facility fees are charged by hospitals for outpatient services at other facilities they own to cover the operational costs. It doesn’t matter if you visit the facility for an hour, five hours, or even five minutes, your medical bill will be subject to a fee just for being there.

Patients may now be more aware that facility fees exist with the additional wording on their bill but it doesn’t mean they understand them or would know if they’re paying too much. Facility fees can come as a complete shock to patients, particularly when an outpatient center is recommended by another provider. In two years, reports show Connecticut hospitals have billed over $1-million in facility fees to patients- some of them having to pay completely out of pocket.

 

Illegal Balance Billing

The act of balance billing has been illegal for sometime in Connecticut but it doesn’t stop greedy providers from doing it anyway. Balance billing is a process by which the provider bills the patient directly for the difference between the provider’s charge and the allowed amount by the insurance company. It’s illegal in Connecticut for any provider to request payment from a patient who is covered by insurance as the entire purpose of insurance is to negotiate prices for you. Medical practices will wrongfully bill patients for services that may be covered under insurance hoping to receive payment from individuals who aren’t aware of the law.

Out-of-Network Schemes

Some of the surprise Out-of-Network costs have been resolved with the ‘Surprise Bill Law’, but many situations still remain open for patients to get nailed with unnecessary costs.  Patients who agree to receive treatment from Out-of-Network providers when In-Network providers are available are susceptible to the cost difference…not all situations are this simple. If your dependent is in an emergency situation or you are provided limited information by a doctor during a stressful event, you may not consider the costs of going with Out-of-Network care if you believe (or were led to believe) the treatment is necessary.

How To Prevent Sky-high Medical Bills

It’s natural to think unclearly during a medical emergency and go with the recommendations that sound appropriate at the time. But if you are able to plan a bit ahead of your medical procedure, WebMD offers some preventative steps you can take to reduce your chances of being smacked with a costly surprise bill:

  1. Know your medical plan: Read your benefits and know what emergency costs are covered. Always carry your card with you in case you need to reference it or call the company in pinch.
  2. Carry the business card of your providers: Have the names of your typical providers with you in the case you need to call them with questions and concerns about services.
  3. Call before your procedure: Before your procedure is set to take place, call your health plan to make sure nothing has changed as far as coverage and In-Network providers.
  4. Ask about cost: Your insurer will typically offer a price tool online to help you estimate the costs for a procedure to prevent sticker shock from uncovered costs.
  5. Look into state health laws: Check to see which Connecticut health laws you may be protected under before your procedure or to be prepared in the case of an emergency situation.

June is the official start of National Safety Month! To help promote overall safety across the United States, the National Safety Council (NSC) alongside supportive organizations are dedicating an entire month to spreading safety awareness and providing public prevention techniques to reduce unnecessary accidents.

Every year in America…

Inspired by the slogan ‘No 1 Gets Hurt’ the NSC has done an exceptional job of developing a variety of materials highlighting the importance of prioritizing workplace and home safety as we continue into 2018.

 

How To Promote Safety This June

National Safety Month is a compact initiative addressing the most concerning safety issues Americans face every day.  Each week of June is dedicated to educating the public on one of the top four most common causes of accidents that lead to unnecessary occupational and personal injuries and fatalities. Safety tips provided can equally be implemented in any environment to help prepare for emergency situations and prevent the occurrence of serious accidents.

Week 1: Emergency Preparedness

Natural disasters, national emergencies, and random criminal acts are often unpredictable but not impossible to prepare for. Creating and practicing an emergency plan can be extremely beneficial when it comes time to put it into action. The Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) recommends creating an emergency response plan for each of the following, especially in the workplace:

Scheduling drills on where to go for safety under each condition, or creating multiple emergency kits with all necessary items and tools, are also highly recommended safety practices. In emergencies where cellphone service or electricity is lost, downloading these useful disaster apps can be lifesaving when attempting to keep in touch with family and loved ones.

Week 2: Wellness

Most Americans tend to put their health aside when it comes to work and other ‘important’ obligations. But without getting enough rest and focusing on proper nutrition, these individuals are setting themselves up for long-term health consequences and an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Employers looking to promote healthier workplaces can implement wellness programs, including:

One of the most important focuses when it comes to wellness week is sleep…or for most Americans, the lack of sleep! Sleep studies show fatigue significantly decreases an individual’s physical and cognitive ability to perform daily tasks and work obligations safely. Individuals suffering a consistent loss of sleep are at increased risk of:

Educating employees on the consequences of insufficient sleep and providing resources on how to promote healthier sleep habits can improve an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health, all while increasing their level of safety when awake.

Week 3: Falls

Falls are the third leading cause of unintentional-injury related deaths in the country and the number one cause of death for individuals 65 years and older. Falls can happen anytime and anywhere, as long as there are unsafe or unsteady obstructions present. NSC suggests using these tips to reduce the risk of fall-related injuries in your work or home environment:

Falls are one of the most preventable causes of injuries. Using this week as a reminder to fall-proof all areas of your workplace and home could mean the difference between life and death for yourself or others around you.

Week 4: Driving

Driving accidents are the single greatest annual cause of death for healthy Americans according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT). It is are also the leading cause of death among children in our country, responsible for the loss of nearly 1,600 young lives every year. The brutal fact regarding vehicle accidents is 94 percent are caused by human error. In other words; most are completely preventable.

In the final week of National Safety Month, remind everyone around you about the dangers of reckless driving behaviors and actively practice NSC’s safe driving tips on the road:

If you have teen drivers, pay extra attention to their driving behaviors. It never hurts to give them a review on the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, which are two leading causes of fatal vehicle accidents among young drivers.

Making CT Safer

It’s never too late to intensify safety policies in the workplace or to start preparing for emergencies in your home. For additional resources on how to protect your employees and family, check out NSC’s resource page for more information on National Safety Month topics and recommendations. Every Connecticut resident who prioritizes safety this month brings us one step closer to a safer, more enjoyable state.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the safety negligence of another, our winning team at Jacobs & Wallace is here to help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting for you, beginning with a free consultation to review your case. Contact us today to see how we can seek justice for your injuries and obtain the compensation you deserve.

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