Workers’ Compensation Fact Sheet

Workers’ Compensation for New Hampshire Workers

Medical and Disability Benefits for Injured Workers 

If you are hurt at work, workers’ compensation (or “workers’ comp”) pays your medical bills. It also pays 60% of your lost wages after you miss more than three days of work. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that all employers MUST provide.

Workers’ Comp Covers All Employees 

It doesn’t matter whose fault the injury was. In most cases, employees can get workers’ comp, including part-time, temporary, and immigrant workers. Undocumented workers are eligible for most types of workers’ compensation benefits, including payment of medical bills.

Reporting Injuries 

If you are hurt at work, tell your employer. Fill out an accident report (form 8aWCA) right away. You can get this form from the employer. Make sure to keep a copy for yourself. You have up to two years to report workplace injuries and illnesses, but it is best to report right away.

Choosing Your Doctor 

You have the right to chose your own doctor if you are hurt at work. You also have the right to get a second opinion. In most cases, you can choose any doctor.

For workers’ compensation carriers with “managed care,” you must choose from a list of doctors. Make sure that you tell your doctor, hospital, and other health practitioners if your condition was work-related. They should send all bills to your employer, not to you. If your injury or illness was caused by your work, make sure your doctor’s report says this. Make sure that it accurately describes your condition.

Returning to Work 

Make sure to get a form (75WCA-1) from your doctor stating whether you can return to work, and if there are limitations on what you can do. Give a copy to your employer, but keep a copy for yourself. Your employer must abide by the doctor’s instructions.

If Your Claim Is Denied 

If the workers’ comp insurance carrier denies your claim, don’t give up. Some insurance companies deny claims at first due to a number of reasons including not having adequate medical documentation. You should consider requesting a hearing at the Department of Labor in order to dispute the denial. Hearings are before administrative officers at the Department of Labor building in Concord. Almost half of all injured workers who appeal to the Department win their hearing. You have up to 18 months from the date of denial to request a hearing.

Getting Legal Help

If you need the assistance of an attorney, find one who specializes in workers’ compensation. You will not have to pay out-of-pocket. The attorney will be awarded 20% of your unpaid disability benefits if he or she wins the appeal. If you lose the appeal, you do not have to pay the attorney.

Help from the NH Department of Labor 

For more information or assistance, call the New Hampshire Department of Labor at 271-3176. People there can assist injured workers to understand, assert, and protect their rights. Ask for the Workers’ Compensation Claims Department.

This worksheet was created by the NH Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, based on information provided by the NH Department of Labor. Funding was provided by the Endowment for Health. Revised in June 2008 and January 2009.

Staying Safe on the Water: 5 Safety Tips Every Boater Should Remember

Getting on the water in the summer is always fun, whether close to home or on a family vacation. Of course, every boating outing has the potential to turn dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. No matter how many times you and your family have been boating, it’s always smart to remind yourself of basic boating safety. 

Here are our top 5 safety tips for boaters this summer:

1. Always Bring The Right Safety Gear. If an accident happens while you’re out on the water, it isn’t always easy to get the help you need right away. That’s why it’s crucial for you to have the right equipment on board just in case. We recommend having the following gear with you at all times, even if you’re heading out for a short trip:

   • Flashlight: If you get stuck out on the water when it gets dark, having a flashlight and extra batteries is vital.

   • Duct Tape: A fast fix for any surprise leaks.

   • Bucket: Helps you bail out water if and when any starts to enter your boat.

   • First Aid Kit: Not only should you have a first aid kit on board; you and the people onboard should know how to use everything in it properly.

   • Whistle: A waterproof whistle will help you get attention in case of an emergency.

   • Ropes: If and when anyone falls overboard, having a line handy is literally a lifesaver. You can also use a rope to tie things down or secure your boat to a dock.

   • Mirror: Use a mirror to help signal for help on the water.

   • Garbage Bags: If in climate weather strikes, garbage bags can protect yourself and other equipment on board.

   • Fire Extinguisher: Even on the water, fires happen.

   • Life Jackets: Make sure your life jackets are the right size for each person and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

2. Have Proper Life Jackets Onboard. Life jackets aren’t just flotation devices. Today’s life jackets are engineered so that if a person becomes unconscious in the water, they turn them face up. And, the insulation from life jackets can also help prevent hypothermia.

3. Know the weather forecast. Before heading out on the water, always be up-to-date with the weather. Anyone who has spent time on water knows that weather can change quickly, leaving you in serious trouble if you’re unprepared.

4. Follow your boat’s guidelines. It’s important to know how much your boat can hold – and then follow its capacity restrictions. So many accidents happen because a boat has been overloaded with passengers or equipment.

5. Take a safety course for boaters. Knowing how to use your boat correctly can prevent a variety of accidents. In fact, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 70% of all boating accidents happen because the operator makes an error. Taking an in-person or online course can help keep you, your passengers, and everyone else out on the water safe this summer.

Finally, make sure you are familiar with the boating laws in your State. New Hampshire has a mandatory boating education law. Everyone 16 years of age and older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters must have a boating education certificate. The Boater’s Guide of New Hampshire: A Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities

Legislative Updates

RSA 277 SAFETY AND HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES

Effective 7/14/19 there is a statutory amendment to RSA 277 SAFETY AND HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES (Public) that requires the Department of Labor to inspect a place of employment where a serious injury or death has occurred and requires a public employer to report such injury or death to the Department.

For the purposes of RSA 277 SAFETY AND HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES, an employer is defined in RSA 277:1-b, and “means the state or any of its political subdivisions operating a place of employment.” 
Please click here for the link to HB406.

RSA 276-A:13 YOUTH EMPLOYMENT NIGHT WORK

Effective 7/14/19, the Youth Employment Law pertaining to Night Work limits the hours that youth 16 or 17 years old may work in any shift during a work week. Specifically, no youth who works more than 2 nights in a week past 8:00 PM or before 6:00 AM shall be permitted to work more than 8 hours in any shift during that same week.
Please click here for the link to HB223.

Who Can Use Your Personal Information and Why?

Most people would be staggered by the amount of personal information available online. Your browser collects information constantly about where you go, what you do, what information you share and who you interact with. So what’s out there . . . and who wants it?

Your likes, dislikes, and buying habits are tremendously valuable to marketers and analysts. It is reasonable to assume that nearly every website you visit is recording information, from how long you spend on a page to what brand of socks you prefer. All of that data is for sale.

The Outsell Information Industry Outlook 2017 report comes to a startling conclusion: the number one growth opportunity in the $1.5 trillion-dollar information industry is data monetization. In an economy awash in information, the biggest cash cow is your personal data.

It may be collected by your browser, the search engine you use, the website you visit, or the ecommerce tools you use. Data brokers love this level of detail. Marketing analysis programs use this kind of data to predict what you will want next, and to upsell with products you’re likely to be interested in as you’re filling a shopping cart. If you buy Game of Thrones volumes 1 and 2, predictive analysis assumes you’ll be in the market for volume 3 soon. You’ll start seeing ads related to Game of Thrones books and other merchandise on Facebook, website ads, and possibly even in your email. This kind of targeted marketing works, and works well. Random ads are far more annoying than ads for things you’re likely to buy. Plus, you get to find out about related products. As it turns out, there are Game of Thrones comic books! Who knew? (not me)

People-Search Sites

People-search sites cull personal information from a variety of sources…and it can be a bit scary. The information comes from public records, social media, and other sources, and may include your:

• Address and past addresses

• Phone and mobile numbers

• Age & Birthdate

• Relatives

• Arrest record

• Court records

• Schools you attended

• Voter registration

The sites make money by charging people to access your personal records, but users can often get quite a lot of pertinent info for free.

Banking services collect data as well, like social security number, account balances and transaction history, credit history and investment experience personal info, including work experience.

How They Get Your Info

Contrary to what most people believe, you don’t have to register for a site for them to collect data. They know who you are. Your browser and browser plugins give you away. “Anonymous” data is usually possible to de-anonymize and identify users. Each thing you do is another clue that programs can sift and combine to create a complete picture of everything about you. There is even speculation that Facebook is listening through your microphone. Talk about creepy! Have you ever thought about why you have to give permissions for apps to access your microphone?

What You Can Do

It’s not easy to remove personal info from broker sites that make money from selling your data, but there are a few steps you can take.

1. Stop giving permission. One notorious method of giving permission to data collectors is through games, apps, and quizzes. Before you accidentally give away access to your info and your friend list to find out what pirate you were in a past life or who your celebrity soulmate is, think about the level of access the program is asking for. Do you really want to give permission for them to post on your wall or contact your friends?

2. Review your security settings and permissions you’ve already given. Most people say yes to participate in some fun little activity, and then never review their security settings again. You may be supplying new information to a data collection site you gave permission to many years ago. Here’s a great resource page from the University of Texas that explains How to Manage Your Social Media Privacy Settings for all the major social media sites.

3. Remove information from Google. If you want to remove a photo, profile link, or webpage from Google Search results, you usually need to ask the web site owner (webmaster) to remove the information. See Google’s Removals Policies to learn what information Google will remove. If the webmaster of a site that has posted sensitive information about you (social security number or bank account numbers) refuses to remove it, you can send a legal request to Google to have it removed.

4. Scrub your information from people search. There are some reliable online privacy protection and identity management companies that offer services that can remove any and all personal details. There are apps that have free automatic data search to find websites offering your personal data.

5. Turn on private browsing on your mobile phone and on your browser. Private or anonymous browsing options allow you to search the web without passing your information via the web headers and cookies companies can use to identify you and pinpoint your browsing habits.

If you’re worried about your privacy, you should be. An unbelievable amount of data already is already available, and as the Internet of Things grows, the number of information companies know about you will get deeper and more potentially dangerous.

The Top 4 Most Dangerous Driving Distractions

As much as we like to think we’re excellent multitaskers, the truth is that none of us are as good as we imagine. In fact, according to nearly every study done over the past decade, humans actually have a hard time doing a lot of different things simultaneously. Instead, “we switch our attention from task to task extremely quickly,” making it feel like we’re “multitasking” when really we are just distracted.

That means, trying to “multitask” when you’re driving isn’t just a bad idea – it’s dangerous, too.

According to Earl Miller, a neuroscientist at MIT, when switching from task to task  “you think you’re paying attention to everything around you at the same time. But you’re actually not”. While it might feel like you’re doing two things at once, Miller emphasizes that the brain really can’t process both at the same time without interference. That means that, while you can switch from one thing to the next, you really can’t be doing both at the same time, especially if they are similar tasks, like looking at the road while looking at the screen on your phone.

So, the next time you get behind the wheel, check for these driving distractions and do your best to eliminate or avoid them as much as possible to help prevent accidents and injuries.

1. Daydreaming. Allowing your brain to drift away while driving is incredibly dangerous. Staying focused on your surroundings, rather than allowing your mind to wander, is key to staying safe when you’re behind the wheel.

• Using Your Phone. It’s no surprise that your phone is a major distraction when driving. Not only does it captivate your attention, but it often takes your eyes away from the road, too. Whether you’re talking to someone (even hands-free) or texting, using your phone while driving always increases your odds of getting in an accident.

• Passengers. No, you can’t avoid having passengers in your car, especially if you’re a parent. But, you can recognize that passengers are a distraction, which will help you keep your priorities (driving) straight. Do your best to let your passengers know that your primary focus is on the road. And, even when they try to demand your attention, remember that it’s your job to keep everyone safe. When you do need to address the needs of your passengers, always pull over safely before giving them your full attention.

• Eating and Drinking. Most drivers don’t think twice about trying to eat or drink while driving, underestimating how much of a distraction it really is. Even if it takes just a second to put a straw in your drink or unwrap a sandwich, that’s enough time for an accident to happen. Plus, eating and drinking also has the potential of causing other distractions, like spills and choking, which only add to the increased risk of an incident. If you must eat or drink while driving, do your best to have everything ready to go before you put your foot on the gas.

What You Need to Know About Distracted Driving Laws

Distracted driving is a serious issue in the United States. To paint a picture of the severity, you should know that 1.6 million accidents per year are caused by distracted driving, and 11 teens die every day as a result of it.

In recent years, both law enforcement and the government have identified the issues of distracted driving and put laws in place to reduce it. Although this is a step in the right direction, many people are still unaware of how these laws affect them. So, before the next time you hit the road, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with what distracted driving is the laws regarding it.

Distracted Driving is More Than Just Texting
Most people associate distracted driving with texting. While texting causes the most accidents and casualties, other forms can get you into trouble as well. Eating, applying makeup/driving, moving about the car, reading, watching videos, and using the GPS while driving are all considered distracted driving.

To protect yourself and other drivers, anytime you need to do something that would take your eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel or mind off of driving, pull to the side of the road.

Laws Vary By State
Texting and other forms of distracted driving are always dangerous, but the laws pertaining to them are not the same across all 50 states. Currently, 47 states have a ban on texting and driving. However, using a handheld device (cell phone) to talk on the phone while driving is only illegal in 14 states.

Know the laws regarding cell phone usage and texting while driving in your state. If you are in a state that bans the usage of a handheld device or texting while driving, you could receive a citation without committing any other offense.

Different Laws Apply to Different Age Groups
The largest group of distracted driving offenders is teenagers. New drivers are more likely to use their cell phone or become distracted by other passengers in the car. In certain states, some laws apply only to “novice drivers” (someone who has had their license for less than two years). For example, in most states, it is illegal for new drivers to have more than one passenger in the car that is not a blood relative because it is thought to be more of a distraction.

If you have a new driver in your household, educate them on distracted driving laws and the consequences both lawful and moral.

Then, next time you drive, remember that your life and the life of others is more important than a text message, fixing your hair, or making a phone call. Those things can wait. Just enjoy the drive.

Protecting Hispanic and Latino Workers

FOR THE THREE YEARS BETWEEN 2003 AND 2006, THERE WERE 36% MORE LATINOS FATALLY INJURED ON THE JOB THAN ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE TYPES OF STATISTICS CONTINUE TO INCREASE EACH YEAR, SHINING A LIGHT ON A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY. TODAY, IT’S FAR MORE LIKELY FOR EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS WITH A HISPANIC/LATINO BACKGROUND TO BE INJURED OR KILLED ON THE JOB THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.

Increased Risk of Injury for Foreign-Born Hispanic/Latino Workers

Among those Hispanic/Latino workers injured, the majority of them are non-native, born outside of the United States. The jobs that are available for people who don’t speak English or who speak it as a second language are, by nature, more dangerous. The jobs are found in industries like agriculture and construction, where the risk of injury is inherently higher than in other professions.

According to a paper in the Monthly Labor Review of 2013, Hispanic/Latino Fatal Occupational Injury Rates, by Christen G. Byler, findings indicate that there are “higher rates of recorded occupational injuries associated with foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers as compared to native-born Hispanic/Latino workers.” The two groups are classified separately, despite the fact that of their shared ethnicity.

The problem runs even more profound than the usual hazards of certain types of employment, however. Hispanic/Latino workers are more likely to be injured than other ethnicities within the industries they work in. They are more likely to be hurt than the white, Asian and black workers in construction, agriculture, etc. And foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers face the highest risk of all.

The Additional Safety Barriers Undocumented Workers Face

The fact that foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers face the most significant risk of injury of any other ethnic group, including Hispanic/Latino workers born in the U.S., indicates the unique set of circumstances that these workers face. There are safety barriers that are unique to foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers, safety barriers that must be addressed if we are to create a safer workplace for the growing foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workforce throughout the United States.

Various agencies such as the Pew Research Hispanic Center, Department of Labor, National Council of La Raza and American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) continuously stress that foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers are more likely encounter occupational safety hurdles compared to other U.S. workers.

Some safety barriers foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers face are:

• Limited or lack of proficiency in English

• Inadequate understanding of their rights and safety laws

• Cultural precedent for safety

• Fear of retaliation against any worker who reports an injury or safety hazard in their workplace

• Employers assume little risk by hiring undocumented workers for sometimes unsafe and backbreaking work – and for lower pay

How Immigration Reform Can Help Foreign-Born Hispanic/Latino Workers

As the most at-risk group of all – accounting for over half of the Hispanic/Latino workers who die on the job – foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers are in desperate need of protection. While this group would certainly benefit from improved security for all Hispanic/Latino workers, being foreign-born, and typically undocumented, they face additional hurdles which are best addressed through immigration reform.

Immigration reform that provided foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers with legal status would put them in a much better position to stand up for themselves. Deportation hangs over the head of every undocumented worker in the country, a final, powerful threat that silences all complaints. Not all employers of undocumented workers abuse their position, but some do. Removing the threat of deportation, and educating foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers about their rights as documented workers, would go a long way towards protecting these workers over the long-term.

A Lack of Protection for All Hispanic/Latino Workers

Foreign-born Hispanic/Latino workers are the most at-risk group of all workers in the country, but Hispanic/Latino workers who are here legally still occupy the most at-risk group among documented workers/U.S.-born workers. Measures need to be taken beyond immigration reform to address the exceptional risk of injury all Hispanic/Latino workers face.

It’s estimated that by 2050 one-third of the nation’s workforce will be Latino. A number this size needs a voice so that they are protected while working. Comprehensive immigration reform is one step, but only the first.

It is also necessary to educate Hispanic/Latino workers about safety and their rights. Education about work safety and workers’ rights can help to create a safer workplace and can do much to address the cultural issues that deter Hispanic/Latino workers from reporting injuries.

An increase in resources to protect Hispanic/Latino workers is also necessary, including providing legal resources for taking action against unsafe employers and seeking workers’ compensation and increasing funding for OSHA, which is required for the protection of not only Hispanic/Latino workers – but all workers.

The fact that there is a problem is evident, as evidenced by year after year of statistics. Now is the time to address that issue – for the benefit of the fastest growing group of workers in the country, and for the benefit of all workers throughout the United States.

PTSD AND FIRST RESPONDERS

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH COMBAT VETERANS. HOWEVER, PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE ALSO SUFFER FROM PTSD. IN FACT, PSTD IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES LINKED TO AN EMPLOYEE’S WORK.

According to the Washington-based International Association of Fire Fighters, one in five firefighters or paramedics will suffer from PTSD at some point in their career. Consequently, many states’ Police and Firefighter Unions continue to campaign their legislature to expand coverage to include PTSD for first responders.

Definition of PTSD

PTSD is classified as a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such has as death, violent assault, natural disaster or serious accident. There is substantial evidence that first responders suffer from PSTD and that link has been highlighted by recent events in the United States.

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of PTSD may or may not affect your life, which makes it difficult to perform daily activities. The symptoms include:

Behavioral: agitation, irritability, hostility, hyper vigilance, self-destructive behavior, or social isolation.

Psychological: flashback, fear, severe anxiety, or mistrust.

Mood: loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, guilt, or loneliness.

Sleep: insomnia or nightmares.

Also common: emotional detachment or unwanted thoughts.

Protections For Employee’s with PTSD

Under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), If you have depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another mental health condition, you are protected against discrimination and harassment at work because of your condition, you have workplace privacy rights, and you may have a legal right to get reasonable accommodations that can help you perform and keep your job. You may also have additional rights under other laws not discussed here, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and various medical insurance laws.  Depending on the state you work in, PTSD might fall under the category of an occupational disease. Unfortunately, like most worker’s compensation claims, how PTSD is treated depends on the state that you work in. Some states require a physical injury to be associated with a claim inherently barring any mental health claim. Other states allow mental health claims but only when the triggering event is out of the ordinary for the employee’s job.

New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation

Under New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation Law, an employee can receive compensation for lost time at work as well as payment of related medical bills if the mental disorder arises out of and within the course of the employment. There is also a requirement that there be a “physical manifestation arising out of the mental disability.” Often, this physical manifestation can include high blood pressure, ulcers, and any other physical manifestations. However, the New Hampshire Supreme Court has ruled that an injury “shall not include a mental injury if it results from any disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, termination, or any other action taken in good faith by an employer.”

NH Protections for First Responders with PTSD

Lawmakers in the New Hampshire State House are taking a closer look at post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders who are trying to save lives during the state’s opioid epidemic. SB508 in session for 2018. Title: Establishing a committee to study the prevalence of post-traumatic stress discover (PTSD) among first responders.

Lawmakers in the New Hampshire State House passed an amendment to bill NH SB59 2019, Bill Title:  Adding post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder to the definition of “injury” for purposes of workers’ compensation, establishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders, and clarifying workers’ compensation for firefighter and heart, lung, or cancer disease.

5 ESSENTIAL ROAD SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS OF ALL AGES

Whether enjoying an afternoon ride or opting for a different way to commute to work, summertime weather means that there will be more bicyclists on the road and in the streets. While drivers need to be aware of bicyclists, sharing the road and giving them plenty of room, bicyclists also need to remember that they are responsible for their safety. No matter how experienced a bicyclist you are, obeying the rules and taking the right precautions can help you and others avoid major accidents.

According to the National Safety Council, the estimated number of preventable deaths from bicycle transportation incidents have increased by 29%, from 793 in 2010 to 1,024 in 2017. From 2015 to 2016 the number of deaths increased by about 1%, with 1,015 deaths in 2016. At the same time, the number of preventable nonfatal injuries has declined 36%, from 515,861 in 2010 to 329,477 in 2017.

Bicycle-related deaths peak in the summer months, starting in June, and they remain high through September. In 2017, most deaths occurred in August (123) and the fewest in February (53).

BELOW ARE FIVE ESSENTIAL ROAD SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS OF ALL AGES THIS SUMMER:

1.   WEAR A HELMET.

Just like your parents told you, wearing a helmet is important for your safety. No matter how short of a trip it is, you are always at risk, which means you should never forego your helmet. Having your helmet right next to where you keep your bike will help remind you always to put it on before you get on your bike. And, just as important as wearing one, you need to make sure your helmet fits correctly. To get the best fit, use a measuring tape around the largest part of your head, just above your eyebrows. If you don’t have a measuring tape, use a piece of yarn or string and then measure with a ruler. Each helmet is designed to fit a range of sizes, typically going from extra small to extra large. You’ll also find some one size fits all helmets, which can work well with the proper adjustments.

2. USE HAND SIGNALS.

Refresh your memory on basic hand signals for bicyclists (left, right, and stop) before you get back on your bike. As simple as these are, they are the only way for drivers to know where you’re going on your bike. And, even when you use hand signals, always make sure drivers see you, making eye contact and never assuming that they’ll stop.

3. BE SEEN.

Making sure drivers see you when you’re on your bike is an essential part of staying safe. At night, always ride with lights on yourself (like on your helmet) and on your bike. And during the day, you can choose to wear bright color shirts to help make sure drivers see you on the road.

4. DON’T USE HEADPHONES.

Using headphones while riding your bike is an unnecessary risk. Unfortunately, it’s one that many bicyclists choose to take. The biggest problem with headphones is that you can’t hear what’s going on around you, like a car honking or someone alerting you to a potential hazard. Other distractions, like using your phone while on your bike, can pose similar threats to your safety. Your best bet? Stay alert and aware with zero distractions.

5. ACT LIKE A CAR.

Yes, bicycles are smaller than cars, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t act like one on the road. So many accidents happen because bicyclists choose to disobey traffic laws, running lights, going against the flow of traffic, and weaving in and out of cars.

PROPERLY INSTALLED CAR SEATS PREVENT INJURY

ACCORDING TO CDC CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY, MOTOR VEHICLE INJURIES ARE A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES. BUT MANY OF THESE DEATHS CAN BE PREVENTED.

• In the United States, 663 children ages 12 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes during 2015,4 and more than 121,350 were injured in 2014.

• One CDC study found that, in one year, more than 618,000 children ages 0-12 rode in vehicles without the use of a child safety seat or booster seat or a seat belt at least some of the time.5

• Of the children ages 12 years and younger who died in a crash in 2015 (for which restraint use was known), 35% were not buckled up.

• If the insurance company has “trouble remembering” that they’re supposed to cover the replacement of the car seats, show them the instruction manual to your child’s car seat where it states that the seat should not be re-used after a crash. If you don’t have the instruction manual, you can usually download one online or call the manufacturer.

• It should be noted that most car seat manufactures require child car seats to be replaced after ANY accident, even if the car seat was unoccupied. The pressure on the shell from the latch strap/vehicle seatbelt and the strain on the harness if a child was in the seat can make the seat unable to properly restrain a child in the future.

You can find some  great tips by following this link on how to properly install a car seat.