What Are the Leading Causes of Death in Illinois?

Many people have certain attitudes concerning personal injury lawsuits. Although insurance companies may try to convince you that personal injury lawsuits are frivolous, they are a necessary tool for many to secure the compensation they need to recover from serious injuries and harm.

If you need evidence of how negligent actions can seriously impact a person’s life, look no further than the top 10 leading causes of death in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) collects vital data such as birth, marriage, infant mortality, and death statistics. When it comes to the leading causes of death in Illinois, the statistics for the most recent years have revealed a very alarming pattern. In 2019, unintentional injuries were the top causes of death for residents between the ages of 18 and 44 years old.

What are considered unintentional injuries?

Many state and federal government agencies define unintentional injuries as injuries that result from an unplanned event like an accident. These unplanned events can be prevented with the proper safety precautions. Some examples of accidents that can cause unintentional injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Accidental poisoning (drug overdoses, etc.)
• Drowning
• Fires
• Suffocation
• Traumatic brain injuries

Motor vehicle accidents at the top of the list

With the number of car accidents that happen in Illinois, it is no surprise that motor vehicle accidents are one of the top accidents that cause unintentional injuries for residents. In 2020, the state reached its fifth year with a record high number of 1,195 traffic deaths. Unfortunately, in 2021 the numbers continued to rise, with September of that year seeing 71 more traffic fatalities than the same period in 2020.

Poisoning is a common causes of death

Surprisingly, the top cause of unintentional injuries for Illinois residents between 18 and 44 is poisoning. Unintentional poisonings occur when a resident unexpectedly ingests, inhales, absorbs or comes into contact with a toxic substance. Toxic substances can range from household products to pain relievers. Exposure to certain chemicals like carbon monoxide can also be considered an unintentional poisoning incident. When it comes to poisoning accidents, drug overdoses were the leading cause of poisoning accidents.

How many people die from falls?

Another top cause of unintentional injuries in Illinois are falls. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 684,000 people who die from falls globally. For residents between the ages of 18 and 44, falls are the result of workplace accidents or sports-related injuries. Workers who have to perform tasks in dangerous environments like buildings with elevated heights are most at risk of suffering from falls. Residents between the ages of 18 and 44 can also suffer from falls as a result of medication side effects.

Drowning is a risk at any time of year

Another common cause of unintentional injuries is drowning. Drowning occurs when vulnerable parties like children experience respiratory impairment from being exposed to large bodies of water. While most residents think of pools as places for most drowning incidents, children and others can drown from being left alone in bathtubs or other shallow water. Even though drowning is often a fatal accident, people who survive a drowning incident are at risk of suffering from serious injuries like brain damage and other long-term disabilities. In addition to children, adults with certain medical conditions like seizure and epilepsy are at risk of drowning.

What you should know about fire-related accidents

Fires are the fifth leading cause of unintentional injuries. Fire-related accidents are more likely to happen in homes without working smoke alarms, and with residents who engage in dangerous behaviors. Smoking materials like cigarettes are the leading cause of residential fires and fire-related deaths, as well as home cooking equipment. When children are left alone and come into contact with certain products like heaters and curling irons, these factors can also contribute to fire-related accidents. Workplace environments like restaurants and construction sites can also expose workers to fire hazards.

Firearms are a real risk to Chicago’s children

Another top cause of unintentional injuries in Illinois are firearm accidents. Unintentional firearm accidents account for 37 percent of nonfatal firearm injuries, according to The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (EFSGV). These firearm accidents can be self-inflicted or caused by another party. When guns are not properly stored within the home or the person in possession of a firearm is under the influence, firearm accidents are more prone to occur.

Nationwide, over 27,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms each year for injuries resulting from firearm accidents. According to a study by the Children’s Hospital of Chicago, “twenty-three percent of parents said their family had been personally affected by gun violence.”

Traumatic brain injuries are often fatal

One of the primary injuries that can result from at least one or several of these accidents is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Individuals are at risk of suffering from TBIs after becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents, falling from significant heights at work, becoming the victim of a firearm accident, or suffering from a drowning accident. TBIs are long-term injuries that can permanently affect how a person’s brain functions. In many cases, these injuries can prove fatal, or reduce a victim’s life expectancy.

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our legal team has the professional skill and tenacity to investigate your claim, negotiate with insurance adjusters, work with product experts and medical experts, and prepare your case for a jury trial. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys tackle every aspect of your cases so you can focus on healing as soon as possible. Call us at 312-600-9585 or submit our contact form to schedule an appointment.