Losing a loved one suddenly and under preventable circumstances is among the most traumatic experiences that people can have. The love and companionship that someone offers are irreplaceable, even when an individual develops new relationships later.
Grief is among the most challenging of human emotions and can take many months, if not years, for someone to fully process. Grieving is certainly different in every case, but there are a few steps that frequently benefit those who have recently lost a loved one under preventable circumstances.
1. Giving space for emotional reactions
Many people respond to a tragedy either by shutting down for several days or by soldiering on and acting as though nothing happened. Neither of these approaches is optimal for someone’s emotional health.
Grief and the many other complex emotions it creates, including depression and anger, will require some time for people to feel and process. Time off of work, a weekend without the children or even an afternoon trip to a quiet place may be necessary during the grieving process, often more than once. Artistic outlets are often helpful when people need to express their intense emotional responses.
2. Seeking professional guidance
The relationships that people have with one another are often very complex, and people struggle to feel comfortable with how they left things when someone dies unexpectedly in a car crash or fall. There are counselors who specifically help those grieving a loved one’s loss. There are also support groups for grief that can be very beneficial for those trying to come to terms with the changes to their life and their family.
3. Looking into justice through the courts
An unexpected death is frequently the result of some kind of unusual situation. Maybe a drunk driver hit a loved one while they were out for their morning jog. Perhaps a company put out a defective product that failed and caused a fatal accident.
In scenarios where people recognize that a business or person directly caused a loved one’s death through bad behavior or some form of negligence, they may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. A lawsuit in civil court helps grieving families by providing financial compensation for the practical consequences of someone’s death. It can also give people a sense of closure and justice when the courts declare another party at fault for someone’s death can also be valuable for grieving family members.
Taking thoughtful steps, including discussing a wrongful death lawsuit with a legal professional, can benefit those who are trying to come to terms with a loved one’s recent, preventable death.