Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday have officially ended, the holiday shopping season is in full swing. If you’re buying for children this year, you might want to do your research before grabbing a random toy from the store. Thousands of toys on the market could cause children serious injuries, while others have potentially life-threatening features.
To help parents and holiday shoppers choose safe products this year, World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) released their 10 Most Dangerous Toys list for 2019. Here are the products consumers should be avoiding and why:
1. Nerf Ultra One
This dangerous gun has a powerful force that shoots darts up to 120 feet away. Children can sustain serious harm to the eyes or battery-related injuries when misused. The darts can also become a choking hazard when left within reach of younger children.
2. Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog
The rigid plastic quills of this hedgehog detach from the back of the toy and can serve as a potential choking hazard.
3. Bunchems Bunch’N Build
These small plastic balls bond tightly together. They can easily become entangled in children’s hair or become a choking hazard for both kids and pets.
4. Stuffed Yeti
This toy’s long, fiber-like hairs come loose when pulled or chewed, posing an aspiration and ingestion injury risk to children.
5. Nickelodeon Frozen Treats Slime
This slime product contains chemicals that can make kids sick if eaten. The slime can also lead to ingestion and irritation injuries if children accidentally swallow it.
6. Anstoy Electronic Toy Gun
This toy gun is getting a lot of backlash for its realistic appearance in a time when schools are seeing an uptick in shootings.
7. Diecast School Bus
The small rubber wheels on this bus can be easily pulled off and become a choking hazard.
8. Pogo Trick Board
Kids who jump on this toy without a helmet or other protective gear put themselves at risk for broken bones and head injuries.
9. Power Rangers Electronic Cheetah Claw
The rigid plastic pieces on this toy can cause eye and facial injuries. Other impact injuries are also possible when children use extensive force.
10. Viga Pull-Along Caterpillar
This pull-along caterpillar features a pull cord long enough to pose a strangulation and entanglement risk.
Unfortunately, the regulation of toy manufacturers is not as robust as other consumer industries such as food and drugs. Thousands of dangerous toys make it into the homes of unsuspecting families every year, causing preventable injuries to children who are only looking to play.
Connecticut parents can help prevent harm to their kids this holiday by doing their research before they buy a toy. According to the Hartford Courant, the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group also released its 34th annual report on dangerous toys last week to keep parents informed on the many dangers certain popular toys can pose to children. In a press conference held at Connecticut Children’s, the consumer safety group reviewed their most recent “Trouble in Toyland” report highlighting several warning parents should be looking for before they purchase any presents this year. Some of the features to look for include:
Parents may also want to check the toys that are already in their homes to help prevent injures this holiday. If one of your child’s toys is under recall or on a Most Dangerous Toy list this year when they have not been in the past, it may be a good idea to get rid of the product before it causes any harm.
You don’t have to skip the toy aisle to avoid purchasing harmful toys. Using these helpful buying tips can allow you to find fun and safe products this weekend and avoid unnecessary injuries that could put a damper on your holiday spirit:
Stick to stores and websites you know. There will always be heartless scammers out there who are only out to make a quick buck. Toys purchased from these manufacturers may be knock-offs of popular items and made from cheap and harmful materials. If the deal seems too good to be true, you can bet it probably is.
The law firm of Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday shopping season! Keep an eye out for both savings and safety to help protect your kids from preventable toy-related injuries this year.
If you or a loved has been injured in an accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact our expert team of personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace today for a free consultation and to explore your options for Justice.
Turkey celebrations and Thanksgiving football parties are just around the corner! Regardless of where you will be celebrating this year, start your holiday season off safely by knowing how to prevent these four-holiday hazards that could lead to disaster.
The AAA is predicting a record number of holiday travelers on the roads this week. At least 49.3 million Americans will be driving to their Thanksgiving feasts around the country.
Car travel is by far the most fatal method of travel, especially during holiday breaks. According to the National Safety Council (N.S.C.), more than 400 people die in motor vehicle accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday period. Some of the risk factors leading to an increase in tragic accidents include:
Prepare for emergencies before you leave for your road trip this week. Pack your car with first aid equipment, extra food, water and clothes, hazards lights in the case of an accident, and tools that can help you prepare for winter weather to come. It’s also a good idea to check your tire pressure to reduce your risk of tire failures that could lead to life-threatening accidents.
Other tips for safe driving this holiday from the N.S.C. include:
After spending weeks planning a Thanksgiving feast and hours whipping it up on the day, the last thing you want is to make your guests sick. Cases of food poisoning are extremely common over the holidays. Between large groups of diners, multiple cooks in the kitchen, and high demand for dinner to be on time, undercooked and contaminated dishes unintentionally make it to the table.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), these are the foodborne illnesses to watch for with each dish and how to prevent them:
Meat (chicken, beef, pork, turkey):
Fruits and Vegetables:
Egg and Egg Recipes:
Seafood and Raw Shellfish:
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has become one of the most popular drinking nights of the year. Also known as Drinksgiving to younger generations, bars, and restaurants who serve alcohol across the country often see lines out the door.
With a rush of college students heading home for the holiday break and thousands of others traveling back to see family and friends, the number of drunk drivers on the road drastically increases. Be smart about drinking this week and don’t add to the dangers on the road that can lead to devastating road fatalities. Some critical safety precautions to keep in mind include:
Don’t forget about the furry friends who will be scrounging for table scraps this Thanksgiving. Ingesting bones and other types of table food toxic to animals can lead to deadly consequences for your pet. Keep your pets safe this Turkey Day with these recommendations from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
Our team at Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Whatever your plans are this week, plan ahead, stay alert, and have a wonderful holiday.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another, our winning team of personal injury attorneys is here to help. Contact our expert team of Connecticut accident attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
Hospitals in Connecticut could be getting safer! According to the Fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, Connecticut hospitals have drastically improved since the beginning of the year. Ranking number 40 in the Spring 2019 report, Connecticut now sits at number 17. That’s a 23 rank increase in just six months!
Medical errors are still a leading cause of death in America, responsible for over 400,000 fatalities every year. Hospitals and medical centers must be held accountable for upholding high standards of care. Oversight in health and safety practices results in preventable accidents, putting patient’s lives at unnecessary risk.
Hospitals in the state may be improving, but it’s still imperative that Connecticut residents do their research before seeking medical care. Choosing a medical facility based on proximity over quality is not a sacrifice patients should have to make. The transparency provided by the Leapfrog Hospital Group helps patients choose the best facility for their health and avoid hospitals who do not prioritize safety.
Out of the 24 Connecticut facilities rated in the Fall Leapfrog Hospital Grade Report, nearly 38 percent received an ‘A’ rating, five more facilities than in the Spring 2019 grades. Unfortunately, one hospital in Bridgeport received a ‘D’ rating this season when no facilities received a rating this low in the Spring.
See where your local hospital landed in the full list of ratings below:
Bristol Hospital- Bristol
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital- Torrington
Johnson Memorial Medical Center- Stafford Springs
MidState Medical Center- Meriden
Sharon Hospital- Sharon
St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center- Hartford
Stamford Health- Stamford
The William W. Backus Hospital- Norwich
Windham Community Memorial Hospital- Willimantic
Danbury Hospital- Danbury
New Milford Hospital- New Milford
The Hospital of Central Connecticut- New Britain
Bridgeport Hospital- Bridgeport
Day Kimball Hospital- Putnam
Greenwich Hospital- Greenwich
Griffin Hospital- Derby
Hartford Hospital- Hartford
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital- New London
Middlesex Health- Middletown
Saint Mary’s Hospital- Waterbury
University of Connecticut Health Center, John Dempsey Hospital- Farmington
Yale-New Haven Hospital- New Haven
Yale-New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus- New Haven
St. Vincent’s Medical Center- Bridgeport
The Leapfrog Group has provided transparency to patients across the country regarding hospital safety and health standards for nearly 20 years. Founded in 2000, this nonprofit has become highly respected in the health care industry for its grading system, creating a golden standard for hospitals to strive for.
Since the grading system began, hospital safety ratings have noticeably been on the rise. Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade reports are released twice a year to keep patients updated: once in May and again in October, both periods known for high rates of injuries.
Each hospital or medical center evaluated is crucially reviewed in five main areas that can make-or-break the success of a facility:
The Leapfrog Expert Panel derives each hospital’s grade by selecting, analyzing, and determining the weight of 28 measures of hospital safety based on three factors: evidence, the opportunity for improvement, and impact. Each measure is then defined into these two groups, which each make up 50 percent of the overall scores:
Patients deserve optimal health care every time they visit a hospital. By holding hospitals accountable for improving their levels of care, The Leapfrog Group has significantly impacted how these facilities are run and how/why patients are choosing their healthcare facilities.
Unfortunately, not every hospital prioritizes health and safety as highly as others. To help keep you and your loved ones safe during any hospital visit, The Leapfrog Groups recommends taking the following simple steps:
No one should have to suffer from subpar medical care. For more resources on how to keep you and your family safe in the hospitals, click here for more information from the Leapfrog Group.
Hospitals and medical centers have an obligation to prevent their patients from unforeseeable harm. If you or a loved has been injured due to the medical negligence of a health care facility, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages suffered. Contact our expert team of medical malpractice attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation and to explore your options.
Following Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are proud to announce that we are donating $1032 to the Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation for our social media initiative to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer in the month of October. The total amount of our donation is based on $1 for every engagement we received in October for our breast cancer awareness post on facebook.
Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation
Breast cancer is a disease that is not discriminatory based on gender, race, ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic background. One in eight American women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Even men have a 1 in 1,000 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer, often experiencing a higher rate of fatalities from late diagnoses.
Breast cancer does not care if you are having trouble paying your bills. It doesn’t care if you are living check-to-check, if you have unsatisfactory health insurance, or if you’re saving money to buy a family home.
The immediate and staggering financial consequences of breast cancer puts unbearable stress on survivors and their families. Cancer treatments can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and over $100,000 depending on the procedures and medication required.
Aside from the medical costs, breast cancer patients often fall behind on their personal financial responsibilities when their focus is on beating a deadly disease. With the unthinkable decision to choose daily necessities over living, breast cancer treatments often come first.
The Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation (B.C.E.A.F.) believes no one should have to choose between chemotherapy and a roof over their heads. Since 2006, supporters and volunteers of B.C.E.A.F. have helped over 3,400 patients throughout Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. B.C.E.A.F. focuses on providing financial assistance for the non-medical expenses survivors and families do not plan for after they are impacted by breast cancer.
Many patients cannot work or lose their employment while undergoing cancer treatments. Caregivers and family members may also have to quit their jobs to take care of their loved ones fully time. When patients who are financially struggling are referred to B.C.E.A.F. by nurses, social worker, and other services providers, our team provides direct financial support in the areas needed most, including:
B.C.E.A.F. has helped thousands of survivors across the region, but their efforts are far from over. As hundreds of thousands of patients become newly diagnosed with cancer every year, more survivors are in need of support than ever before.
Out military members, active or retired, deserve more than a simple thank you on Veterans Day. Here are some freebies and deals highlighted by the Hartford Courant that Connecticut veterans and family members should know about this week!
Freebies and Deal on Veterans Day (and week)!
Meal Deals
Free and Discount Attractions
NOTE: Most locations will require you to bring your military ID. Some may also have a specified time when free meals, deals, and discounted rates are offered. For more information, call ahead or click here for details.
Help CT Veterans Near You
Millions of veterans across the country struggle with poverty, hunger, and housing insecurity. According to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans, 40,000 veterans are homeless on any given night.
For all of the sacrifices these brave men and women have made, veterans are not always well cared for. Transitioning back to civilian life after service can prove difficult for veterans when it comes to finding employment, maintaining personal relationships, and securing affordable housing. These local heroes, who have done so much to protect our freedoms, often suffer from severe untreated trauma that can leave them hungry and living on the streets.
Veterans do not always reach out for help when they need it. Check-in with your veteran neighbors this week to see if you can be of any support. Grab this list and pass on the deals. Even a free cup of coffee can make someone’s day. You can even start your own event to support veterans in your area!
Our team at Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a Happy Veterans Day. Thank you to all who have served, and for the many sacrifices, you have made for our country.
Today marks the end of Daylight Savings, and everyone on the road should beware. Motor vehicle accidents drastically increase around this time of the year. With shorter days and earlier sunsets, driving this week will bring on more hazards than most motorists are prepared for.
Pedestrians and cyclists are most at risk for injuries when the roads go dark. To help keep everyone safe during the fall and winter months, these are the steps all Connecticut residents should be taking to help reduce life-threatening traffic accidents.
The end of Daylight Savings can be a shock to drivers who are not used to driving in the dark, both in the morning and evening hours. The sun in Connecticut will now set closer to 4:45 pm, putting millions of drivers on dark roads for their commutes.
Driving in the dark is noticeably more dangerous than driving during the day. According to the National Safety Council, motorists are three times more likely to get into a car accident at night, with the most deadly hours occurring between 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Nighttime driving can significantly affect the critical functions a driver needs to operate their vehicle safely, including visibility, depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision. Motorists can help combat the onset of nighttime driving hazards by taking the following precautions before they get behind the wheel:
With normal headlights, drivers on average are only able to see 250 feet ahead in the dark. Keep your speeds low for more control over your vehicle and the chance of reacting quicker to road hazards.
Changes to your sleep schedule and the natural instinct to become sleepy after dark means drivers may feel a bit more drowsy behind the wheel this week. Fatigued driving is extremely dangerous to both drivers and others sharing the road. Drowsy drivers are known for swerving, drifting, becoming distracted, or making risky decisions; all behaviors known for leading to accidents.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, at least 60 percent of adults report they often drive tired, and another 37 percent admit to falling asleep being the wheel – don’t be a statistic. Make sure to get enough sleep this week to make up for the hour time difference. If you feel too tired to drive, pull over in a safe location, and take a rest. Also, avoid driving later or earlier than usual until you have adjusted.
It may be dark, but pedestrians and cyclists are still on the road. Between children waiting for the bus, pedestrians walking home from work, and cyclists out enjoying a ride, all drivers will need to stay on high alert.
Speeding, failure to yield, and left-handed turns are the leading causes of pedestrian road accidents, and darker roads only escalate these risks. Pedestrians and cyclists can reduce their chances of becoming the victim of an accident by staying visible and alert to cars at all times. These basic safety steps can help get you started:
Distracted and aggressive driving are deadly habits on the road, especially at night. Drivers already have less time to spot hazards on the road. Adding in factors such as speed, risky lane changes, or distractions will almost always result in an accident turning fatal.
These are the dangerous road behaviors Connecticut drivers should be avoiding to prevent causing harm to others:
Our team at Jacobs & Wallace wishes everyone a safe start to the end of Daylight Savings. Bottom line, stay alert, pay attention, and follow the rules of the road to prevent accidents.
Connecticut Truck Accident Attorneys
The time change is no excuse to behave poorly behind the wheel. Vehicle accidents caused by reckless driving are unacceptable. If you or a loved has been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact our expert team of personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
The time for Halloween festivities has come again! Between trick-or-treating, costume contests, and pumpkin-loving celebrations, there is more than enough spooky fun to keep your family entertained.
Unfortunately, Halloween is also a holiday full of hazards that could cause serious injuries. Celebrate with caution this year and avoid the common dangers that could end your exciting night with a trip to the emergency room.
Watch For Deadly Road Hazards
Halloween is the most dangerous night for children to be out on the streets. According to the National Safety Council (N.S.C.), children are twice as likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle on this holiday than any other day of the year.
Another study published by Sperling’s Best Places found that over 60% of fatal road accidents occurred within a four hour period on Halloween: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Nearly 25% of the accidents during this timeframe occurred within what’s called the ‘Deadliest Hour,’ between 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Dark streets, limited visibility, and increased distractions on Halloween can prove to be deadly if pedestrians and drivers do not stay alert. According to the Be Safe, Be Seen safety campaign proofed by Safe Kids Worldwide’s, these are the safety measures families can take this week to prevent Halloween road accidents:
Walk Safely:
Drive Safely:
Avoid Costume Mishaps
For some unlucky trick-or-treaters, a poor costume choice will be the most dangerous hazard of the night. It’s important to keep safety in mind this holiday when designing or buying your costume to avoid preventable accidents. Some of the precautions to consider include:
Not So Sweet Treats
Kids look forward to collecting pounds of candy on Halloween, thinking little about the risks associated with their treats. However, there are several dangers parents should be keeping in mind before their kids chow-down on their goodies this year.
Allergic reactions, food poisoning, teeth injuries, choking, and treat tampering can all cause more of a fright than families are looking for this Halloween. To help keep kids safe, the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) advises parents to follow these simple tips for trick-or-treating:
Keep Pets Safe
Pet owners- be prepared. Halloween can be more harmful to your pets than fun. Treats, costumes, and frequent doorbell ringing from eager trick-or-treaters can cause your pets a lot of stress. To keep everyone happy and safes this Halloween, consider these safety tips in mind before the night is in full swing:
Our team at Jacobs & Wallace wishes all Connecticut residents a happy and safe Halloween. Don’t let holiday hazards ruin your night of fun. Prepare for emergencies, stay alert, and enjoy your spooky night out on the town.
Millions of large trucks and tractor-trailers hit American roads every day- some not as safe as others.
At least 1 in 3 truck drivers have experienced a serious accident during their career. In 2017, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.) reported more than 100,000 injuries and 4,761 fatalities related to large trucking accidents; 23 of these fatalities occurred in Connecticut.
Several hazards plaguing the trucking industry are putting all Americans on the road at risk. And with the demand for trucking on the rise, more long-haul truck drivers will be sharing the roads than ever before. These are the dangers Connecticut residents need to be aware of to help reduce their chances of accidents.
Reckless Truck Drivers
Drivers of large trucks are at a high-risk for accidents from the start. The average loaded truck weighs up to 40,000 pounds, about 10 times the weight of an average passenger vehicle. It can take up to 500 feet for a large truck to stop, it’s impossible to swerve quickly (and safely) around hazards, and visibility is often poor as trucks tower over pedestrian vehicles on the road.
Despite the overt dangers of these large vehicles, accident statistics still find that truck drivers are using reckless driving behaviors that are increasing their chances further of causing fatal accidents. The National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey found that 90 percent of trucking accidents are caused by human error, such as inexperience and inattention. Other dangerous behaviors include:
When truckers do not drive with care, the accidents they cause are disastrous. Of the 4,761 fatalities resulting from large truck accidents, only 841 were truck drivers. The remainder of the victims were occupants of other vehicles (3,450) or non-occupants such as pedestrians and cyclists (470).
Rising Risks In The Trucking Industry
Working as a long-haul truck driver in today’s industry is not an easy job. There are several negative factors that accompany the occupation that could also be leading to an increase in reckless driving, aside from obvious neglect. These include:
Driver fatigue is often a direct and indirect consequence of the trucking profession. While drivers are responsible for knowing when they are too tired to drive, long hours and high demand make it hard for drivers to afford to take a break.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (F.M.C.S.A.) reports that at least 13 percent of large truck drivers involved in vehicle accidents were experiencing some level of fatigue at the time of their crash. Driver fatigue can lead to a slew of harmful effects, including:
When and Where Truck Accidents Occur
In a 10-year-study conducted by the N.H.T.S.A., the following trends were found regarding fatal trucking accidents:
How To Prevent Trucking Accidents
Connecticut drivers sharing the roads with large trucks, beware. Fatal trucking accidents can happen in an instant. Staying alert to the vehicles around you and practicing safe driving behaviors is the only way to help avoid these tragedies before they occur. Some suggestions include:
Connecticut Truck Accident Attorneys
Vehicle accidents caused by reckless driving are not acceptable. Truck drivers are accountable for their behaviors on the road, regardless of the stressors that accompany the job.
If you or a loved has been injured in an accident involving a large truck, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact our expert team of personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
Learning to drive is an exciting milestone in a teen’s life that brings them one step closer to adulthood. But some teens are gravely underestimating the driving risks that can lead to life-threatening accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 15 to 18. Sixteen-year-olds have the highest crash rate across all driving age groups in the United States, with 1 in 5 getting into a serious accident within their first year of driving.
Today marks the beginning of National Teen Driving Safety Week. Regardless of whether your teen has had their license for years or is just beginning to drive, now is the perfect time to see what they know about road safety and how to improve their driving skills to reduce accidents.
Parents have more input on their teen’s driving behaviors than they think. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), parents can be the number one ally or the number one threat to the success of their teen driver on the road.
At least 56 percent of teens learn to drive from their parents, but this doesn’t include the indirect lessons they get at an early age. Every time you are in the car with your child, they are learning how to drive. If you text and drive, eat and drive, or frequently blast the music in the car, your teen driver will remember these actions as acceptable things to do behind the wheel.
Talking with your teen about safe driving behaviors is the best first step to seeing how much they know about the dangers of the road. Starting a conversation is not always easy, but these suggestions may help get you on the right track to protecting your teen behind the wheel.
An average of six teen drivers die every day from crash-related injuries. This statistic is enough to make any parent worry. But how do you get your teen driver to share the same concern?
Reviewing these crash stats from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a perfect way to find out what they already know about the dangers of the road. It can help spark a conservation about what they perceive to be dangers or their misconceptions about certain reckless driving behaviors:
Knowing how to prevent motor vehicle accidents starts with understanding how they occur. The C.D.C. highlights eight driving danger zones that lead to fatal accidents involving teen drivers that parents should review at home:
Remember, your teens are watching. If you have identified any of the eight danger zones as behaviors you are currently doing behind the wheel, stop. No matter how young your children are, they are always learning from you. Be a good driving role model to encourage safe driving behaviors from the very beginning.
Hold your teen accountable for their pledge to drive safely on the road. Parents can create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement to lay out all of the house rules for both parties to understand and agree on before your teen is allowed to drive. These rules can include anything from:
To download a complete Parent-Teen Driving Agreement, you can find one here!
Driving has changed significantly over the years, and parents may feel lost when it comes to addressing the topic with their teens. Thankfully, there are several different avenues parents can take to gather and share helpful information to protect their teens on the road, including:
For additional resources to help you discuss safe driving with your teen, the C.D.C. Parent Resource Page is full of helpful information.
Remember, driving is a privilege that can turn deadly when things go wrong. If your teen is not committed to driving safely on the road, take the keys away until they are.
Connecticut drivers have a responsibility to keep everyone safe on the road. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident due to the negligent acts of someone else, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages suffered. Contact our expert team of personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
When 27-year-old Brianna Snitchler scheduled an appointment to remove a cyst, her physician recommended a simple biopsy to check the growth for cancer first. Brianna’s biopsy was performed via a guided needle at a local hospital. It took 20-minutes using a local anesthetic, and she didn’t even have to change into a gown.
After the test results came back benign, Brianna was ready to schedule the procedure to have her cyst officially removed. That is until she received a surprise bill for $3,357.52.
This unfortunate story published by Kaiser Health News has many American patients shaking their fists in rage. Similar to countless others before her, Brianna fell victim to a facility fee, otherwise known as a cost to ‘rent the room’ she was treated in. Of the $3,357.52 bill Brianna received, a shocking $2,170 consisted of a facility fee for using the radiology room in the hospital; none of the fees was covered by her health insurance.
These types of situations highlight an urgent need for transparency in our health care system. Medical bills with unexpected charges, such as facility fees, can sink individuals and families quickly into debt. In turn, patients are neglecting their health and turning away from needed services based on financial fear.
Until change arrives, Connecticut patients must do their due diligence to know when these fees may apply and how to reduce costs safely.
When Will You See Facility Fees on Your Medical Bill?
Facility fees are unique to the United States health care facilities. Facility fees are similar to a rental fee for time spent in a treatment room and for the costs associated with the procedures the patient needs. These fees are on top of a doctor’s fee or a fee for performing a medical service.
The ‘facility’ where these fees can be applied will differ. Some areas where they may apply include tests, scans, or medical procedures performed in the following facilities:
According to The Alliance, facility fees can range from $15 to thousands of dollars in extra costs for patients depending on the services provided. Facility fees are most commonly applied in hospital settings. However, as more hospitals take ownership of medical clinics, outpatient surgical centers, and even physician’s offices, facility fees are starting to become more frequent across the board.
Why Facility Fees Make Medical Bills So High
So what does a facility fee actually cover? Some of the costs include:
What Makes Facility Fees So Tricky
There are several reasons why patients are receiving surprise facility fees:
How To Prevent High Medical Bills
Patients do not have to fall victim to outrageous facility fees. According to Clear Health Costs, there are multiple ways you can protect yourself financially:
The bottom line is do your research, or have someone assist you in asking these questions, before undergoing any medical procedures. Choosing a lower cost facility with outpatient services may not always be in your best interest depending on your health. Talk to your doctor, your insurance company, and the facilities that provide your treatment to make an educated decision on your care.
Connecticut Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Attorneys
At the law firm of Jacobs & Wallace, we believe your family’s health and safety should be a priority. If you or a loved has been injured in an accident due to a preventable medical error, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages suffered. Contact our expert team of personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
