Last year, Connecticut troopers were out on the roads scouting for reckless drivers posing a threat to other motorists and pedestrians over Labor Day. In just one weekend, the Connecticut State Police recorded:

In addition to the thousands of violations, there were a total of 326 accidents reported resulting in 53 injuries and sadly, one road fatality.

 

Labor Day Weekend is Deadly On The Roads!

One road fatality in a single holiday weekend may not seem so bad, but without Connecticut troopers trolling the highways for dangerous drivers, the fatality rates would be far higher. Every Labor Day weekend, an average of 420 people die in road accidents across the country, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). High volumes of holiday travelers and an increase of reckless driving behaviors on the road have earned Labor Day a spot on the American Safety Council’s list of the six most dangerous holidays of the year and Connecticut residents should be alert and aware.

 

Thousands of Possible Injuries

In addition to hundreds of unnecessary deaths, over 40,000 injuries are reported by the NSC annually over Labor Day weekend. Ranging from minor to severe injuries, motorists, passengers, and pedestrians are at a higher risk of getting into a vehicle accident simply from being on the roads this holiday.

Physicians Now lists the top five most common types of motor vehicle injuries possible over Labor Day weekend, including:

Injuries sustained in a vehicle accident can be traumatizing and sometimes permanent. What’s even more devastating is most of these catastrophic injuries are highly preventable by avoiding these common Labor Day road hazards.

 

Drunk Drivers

Drinking and driving over the holiday weekend is one of the most common reasons for the uptick in vehicle accidents and injuries around Labor Day. In an article published be Sobering Up, Labor Day was named the fourth deadliest holiday for drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40% of all vehicle accidents over Labor Day weekend involve drivers under the influence, with 23% of these drivers exceeding the legal intoxication limit of .08.

Drunk driving increases over Labor Day weekend for a number of different reasons:

Alcohol can impair a number of vital driving functions including judgment, concentration, comprehension, visual accuracy, coordination, and reaction time. Any of these impairments can cause a driver to seriously injure or even kill another motorist in a matter of only a few seconds.

This past August, a Connecticut mom gave birth to her third child. Days later, the mom was rushed to Hartford Hospital where she tragically died from sepsis, leaving behind her husband, 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and newborn baby only days old.

Maternal Deaths are Skyrocketing in the U.S.

Devastating events such as these are skyrocketing all over the country. Compared to the rest of the developed world, the United States has one of the worst rates of maternal deaths: 20.7 deaths per 100,000 live births so far in 2018, according to America’s Health Rankings. In 2017, NPR compared the United States to several other developed countries around the world, listing their rate of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births:

In another report released by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) 2,726 pregnancy-related deaths were reported between 2011-2014, and sadly most of these deaths could have been prevented.

Conditions Causing Maternal Deaths

Childbirth is supposed to be one of the most exciting and joyful moments in a family’s life. So, why are so many missing out on this opportunity because of premature maternal deaths? The CDC lists these conditions as the most common reasons for maternal fatalities in the United States between 2011 to 2014:

The risk of having a heart attack during pregnancy, birth, or within two months after birth is continuing to rise in American women, making heart disease the leading cause of pregnancy-related death, according to an article published by Science Daily. Detecting heart disease in women has been a growing issue in our country for years and is now causing a number of families to go motherless unnecessarily.

Maternal Death by Race

When looking at the rates of maternal deaths by race and ethnicity, the statistics are even more concerning. Based again off of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, American’s Health Rankings breaks down the percentages of maternal deaths so far in 2018 into five race/ethnicity categories:

Studies show a racial divide regarding maternal mortality rates has been an issue for decades. One of the suspected causes for the maternal death rates doubling in black mothers is due to higher rates of obesity and hypertension in this population, two conditions leading to heart disease which is the number one killer of pregnant women and mothers in the CDC’s findings.

How Are CT Mothers Doing?

A recent article released by Connecticut Health I-Team shows Connecticut mothers are doing slightly better than the national average, but still not impressive compared to other countries. America’s Health Rankings shows Connecticut has 13.2 deaths per 100,000 live births.

What else do we know about Connecticut mothers…not much. Unfortunately, Connecticut statistics on maternal mortality rates are pretty sparse. The Health I-Team article highlights a huge deficit in how maternal death statistics are being monitored.  Not only are the causes of death not accurately being kept track of to help reduce future fatalities, but lack of funding for programs monitoring this type of data collection and analysis are causing significant holes in yearly reports. Without proper data, healthcare practices cannot be reformed to address what is causing the increase in maternal deaths, and Connecticut is not the only state falling behind in this task.

American Mothers Deserve Better

Too many families are bringing home their bundles of joy among the tragedy of losing a mother. In a time where our technology is better than it’s ever been, these rates of deaths are inexcusable. The American Public Health Association (APHA) defines maternal mortality as a significant human rights issue. Mothers’ rights nationwide are being violated by allowing a rise in preventable maternal deaths to continue.

APHA advocates strongly for a woman’s right to quality health care and recommends  that federal, state, and local agencies follow these action steps to help reduce maternal mortality rates across the country:

 

Standing Up For CT Mothers

Misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, and medical negligence can all contribute to preventable maternal deaths. If you or a loved one experienced an unnecessary maternal death, our team of medical malpractice attorneys is here to seek justice for your catastrophic loss by exploring your options for financial compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to see how Jacobs & Wallace can help you in your time of extreme need.

Have you noticed lately that Connecticut bridges and roads are looking a little shabby? So has the rest of the country. Connecticut’s infrastructure was recently voted one of the worst in the United States, labeled in dire need of major repairs and renovations.

CT Has The Fourth Worst Infrastructure In The Country!

In June this year, CNBC released the results of its annual America’s Top States for Business report. This study uses governmental data to analyze all 50 states in 10 major categories that can make or break a state when it comes to business. One of the most important sections for business success is the infrastructure category. When compiling the top ten worst state infrastructures in the country, Connecticut ranked as the fourth worst, with only Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine trailing behind.

Infrastructure is a vital part of our country’s economy and essential to the safety of our citizens. Infrastructure covers a vast network, including resources such as:

Back in 2017, Connecticut received a D+ rating for its infrastructure on the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) annual Infrastructure Report Card. Unfortunately, the grade has since gone down to a D. Out of 400 points possible in CNBC’s ratings, Connecticut scored 150, only beating the worst infrastructure state (Rhode Island) by fifty points. These are some of the areas the state is struggling in mentioned in the study.

Crumbling Roads

Connecticut roads, in particular, have been rated the second worst in America, only ahead of Illinois. It’s estimated that about three-quarters of the roads are in poor or mediocre condition, leaving very few safe routes available for residents. Driving on crumbling roads is not only dangerous for drivers, it could be costing each driver $864 per year due to maintenance needs, according to ASCE. Even Connecticut’s back roads are unsafe, ranking number one in the nation for rural traffic fatalities back in 2013 due to poorly paved conditions, lack of safety features and higher speeds traveled.

Deficient Bridges

At the beginning of the year, Connecticut was ranked 27th for the highest percentage of bridges categorized in ‘poor condition’. About 7.8 percent of the 4,214 bridges in the state are considered structurally deficient- 332 bridges to be exact. Structurally deficient bridges are at a higher risk for cracking, excessive wear, damage, and other issues leading to the possibility of a structural failure. In 2013, $280,165,324 was spent on state bridge capital projects which consequently did not appear to stretch very far. Out of the 332 structurally deficient bridges listed in the state needing repairs, only five are slotted for renovations in the near future.

Commute to Work

Commuting in Connecticut is not the worst in the country, but it’s definitely no piece of cake. Residents spend an average of 26.3 minutes on their commute to work, above the national average of 25.7. Aside from poor road and bridge conditions causing delays, one of the issues causing high average commute times is the number of super-commuters in the state. Super-commuters are workers who travel 90 minutes or more for a workday, causing additional traffic on already congested travel routes. Bridgeport, Connecticut has one of the highest super-commuter rates at 6.1%- .6% down from the number of super-commuters in New York City.

Water System

No one wants a repeat of the Flint water crisis in Michigan, but experts say if Connecticut doesn’t make some changes, we could be headed in a similar direction. ASCE reported drinking water needs for the state will take nearly $3.6 billion to fix, while wastewater is around $4.6 billion in need. In 2017, a study released by the U.S. Geological Survey reported that more than half of the 871,000 homes depending on private wells in Connecticut could be exposed to corrosive groundwater. Shallow wells with low PH levels can cause water to become acidic, eroding at metal pipes causing traces of harmful materials to enter the water.

Why CT Is Lagging in Infrastructure

When it all comes down to it, Connecticut’s infrastructure is suffering for the same reason as most states- money. Since the state is facing a fiscal crisis, Gov. Dannel Malloy was forced to make the decision of canceling at least $4.5 billion in transportation projects and improvements in 2017. Delays in updating the state’s infrastructure, according to ASCE, is not only escalating the cost and risks of these aging systems but preventing Connecticut from competing in the global marketplace it desperately needs in order to keep up with the rest of the country.

 

Nationwide Infrastructure Solutions

Some states are faring better than others when it comes to infrastructure: Texas and Indiana both received A+ ratings, Georgia an A rating, and Ohio, Tennessee Minnesota and Kentucky A- ratings. Sadly, the United States overall has a rating of D+ for its subpar infrastructure, creating concern when it comes to how we compete with other developed countries around the world.

Even with the running list of issues and challenges our country faces in improving our infrastructure, ASCE still believes the goal is achievable focusing on these three key solutions:

 

 

CT Personal Injury Experts

Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace have seen our fair share of automobile accidents and injuries, some which have stemmed from poorly maintained and designed roads. If you or a loved has been injured in a vehicle accident, our team is here to fight back for you. Starting with a free case evaluation, Jacobs & Wallace will stand up for your right to safe roads, seeking justice for any damages you have suffered due to infrastructure negligence.

Adventurous children love amusement park and carnival rides, but these thrills do not come without risk…

With only one month of summer left to go, Connecticut families may be trying to squeeze in one last amusement park trip or a visit to the county fair. As exciting as these attractions can be, parents should be well aware of the dangers to help prevent their children from ruining the remainder of their school break with unnecessary ride-related injuries.

 

Rides Injure Thousands of Children Every Year!

In a study performed by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, amusement park rides contribute to an average of 4,423 pediatric injuries every year. At least 70% of these injuries take place between the months of May and September, precisely when families and children are out of school and ready for fun.

Children are already at a higher risk for injuries on rides because of their lack of coordination, body control, and underdeveloped anatomies. Reports show the most common injuries children sustain on rides are soft tissue related and affect the head/face. Other injuries sustained range from minor to severe depending on the ride and the cause:

Minor:

Severe:

Because amusement park and carnival rides are regulated on a state level, and there is no national registry used to track the frequency and severity of ride injuries, experts believe accidents are most likely underreported. Sadly, serious injuries and fatalities on rides are much more likely to occur without the proper data to manage and troubleshoot similar incidents.

 

Most Dangerous Rides For Kids

Not all rides are safe just because they are present in the amusement park. Some rides have long-standing reputations for posing more danger to your kids than others, including features such as fast speeds, jerky movements, and unsafe or lack of safety belts and padding. In an article posted by the Huffington Post examining ride fatalities over a ten-year span, these rides were considered the most deadly and dangerous:

Other rides that have been known for causing injuries are swing rides, bumper cars, and kiddie attractions where kids direct their own experiences, such as inflatable rides and carpet slides.

 

How Kids Are Getting Hurt

According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), riders only have a 1 in 16 million chance of getting seriously injured on an amusement park ride- what about non-serious injuries? There is a crucial lack of data examining the number of non-serious or ‘minor’ injuries children sustain on rides. These accidents may not be life-threatening, but injuries to children of any kind on a ride made for enjoyment are unacceptable and preventable using cautionary measures.

Kids can get hurt on amusement park rides in a number of different ways, the most common highlighted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital:

Amusement parks are full of other tripping and falling hazards that can also pose a risk for injury to children, particularly younger ones who are looking up at the rides and not where they are going: lines, food/trash debris, other kids, spills, and strollers are all common hazards parents should help their children avoid.

 

Keep CT Kids Safe On Rides

Staying away from amusement parks or carnivals completely is the best way to avoid ride-related injuries…but it’s surely not as fun. You don’t have to be afraid to take your kids on rides this summer as long as you are keeping safety in mind before jumping on.

IAAPA suggests parents follow these amusement ride safety tips to help children and teens avoid unnecessary injuries during their visit:

 

Ride Regulations Across America

If you are planning to visit an amusement park or fair out-of-state, always do your research first. Amusement parks and carnivals have not been federally regulated since the 1980’s after the Consumer Product Safety Commission passed along the responsibility to the states. IAAPA reports that Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah all do not regulate amusement parks, cautioning riders to beware if attending parks in these states.

Connecticut amusement rides are regulated by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. Rides in CT are expected to apply for the proper license and permits before they begin operations in order to promote safety for their guests. If you want to look up a particular ride, you can visit the online portal to verify if a ride is up to date with their registrations, permits, and licensing requirements.

 

Ride Injuries Are Preventable

There is no excuse for a known faulty or dangerous ride. If parks are aware that a ride is causing harm to their guests, steps should be taken to fix or shut down the ride regardless of the financial impact. If your child was injured on an amusement park or carnival ride due to negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for damages suffered. Jacobs & Wallace is here to fight for your family’s right to safety at amusement parks. Our dedicated team will provide a free case evaluation to determine what options for justice are available for your traumatic accident.

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