Preventable Injuries: A Canadian Crisis
According to The Community Against Preventable Injuries, more than 3 million people are injured in Canada every year. The national toll for these injuries is high. More than 13,000 Canadians die from their injuries each year, while more than 200,000 are hospitalized. The financial cost of these injuries tallies up to more than 16 billion dollars annually.
The toll on individuals and families is even more acute. Those experiencing the aftermath of an injury are often confronted not only with physical and mental pain, but also sudden changes in ability or mobility, loss of productivity, disruptions to everyday life, and unforeseen emergency expenses.
The Community Against Preventable Injuries found that the sweeping majority (up to 95%) of injuries are considered preventable. Many occur in common circumstances, such as car accidents and falls. National Injury Prevention Day (NIPD) was organized in 2017 by Parachute, in recognition of the need to reduce the incidence of injuries across Canada.
NIPD is observed in Canada every July. This day of awareness is recognized as a national Health Promotion Day by Health Canada and seeks to support the wellbeing of Canadians through the spread of information about injury prevention. This year, NIPD will take place on July 7. On this date, a “Light it Up Canada!” campaign spearheaded by Parachute will be put into action. Landmarks across Canada, including Halifax’s City Hall, will “light up green” to raise awareness for the prevention of injuries.
We can all participate in NIPD individually, by learning how to be proactive about injury prevention. The following resources provide helpful information and best practices for injury prevention at home, on the road, outdoors, and during recreation. Injury affects us all- our best tool is to remain informed and prepared!
- Government of Canada Injury Prevention Information Page
- Parachute Injury Topics and Resource Collections
Should you experience an injury, the following contacts and resources may be helpful to contact. In an emergency, be sure to call 911 before accessing any other resources!
- Non-Emergent Health Information Line (Nova Scotia): 811
- Poison Control Canada (toll-free): 1-844-764-7669
- Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia: Concussion Information Page
- Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center: Understanding a Burn Injury
- Canadian Red Cross: First Aid for Sprains, Strains, and Fractures
Recovering from Injury: Justice while Healing
We at MDW Law know the significant impact that injuries can have. We know that the period of recovery after an injury can be charged with pain, overwhelm, and distress. The process of seeking justice after an injury can be complex and strenuous, but equally significant and restorative for those getting back on track after an injury.
Our team is committed to providing hands-on and personal support to those seeking justice for their injuries. We seek to alleviate the stress associated with accessing justice to allow our clients to focus their energy on recovering. Should you wish to seek recovery after an injury, we would be glad to set up a free consultation period to discuss how we can best support you.