CDC Says Massachusetts Has Lowest Accidental Death Rate In the US

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued its report on Friday on accidental injury deaths in the United States. Of all 50 states, Massachusetts has the lowest rate of accidental fatalities, which are the number one cause of death among people under 45 years of age.

According to the report, Massachusetts had a rate of 20.4 accidental deaths for every 100,000 residents from 1999-2004. The national average per 100,000 state residents is 36.3. Motor vehicle accidents ranked nationally as the number one cause of death. In Massachusetts, however, there are 7.7 traffic accident deaths for everyone 100, 000 residents.

Falls, poisoning, drowning, and suffocation are some of the other kinds of accidental deaths that the CDC considered for its study.

Nationally, the CDC says there is a 7% increase nationally in accidental deaths. From 199-2004, 625,328 people died in the US because of accidental injuries.

The CDC named New Mexico as the state with the highest rate of accidental injury deaths-60.9 for every 100,000 residents-with Alaska (58.6) and Mississippi (58.1) not lagging far behind.

Other kinds of accidental injury deaths include whiplash, sports injuries, machinery accidents, burns, work-related injuries, natural accidents, toy-related injuries, medical malpractice incidents, defective or malfunctioning products, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, exposure to lead or other hazardous substances.

An accidental injury death is a fatality that occurred accidentally and unexpectedly. While a fatality that occurs accidentally was often caused unintentionally-there are deaths that could have been prevented had another person or party not acted negligently, carelessly, or recklessly.

As the surviving family member who has lost a loved one, there are civil remedies that you can take to hold the negligent party liable for your loss. You should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can advise you of your legal options.

Study: Massachusetts has lowest accidental death rates in nation, AP, November 1, 2007
U.S. Accidental Deaths On An Upward Trend, CBS News, November 1, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Center for Disease Control & Prevention

Accidental injury, Wrong Diagnosis
In Massachusetts, if someone you love has died because of a accidental injuries caused by the negligence of another person or entity, you should contact Altman & Altman LLP today. We have helped many wrongful death clients obtain the compensation that they are entitled to for the death of their loved on.

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