Wrongful Death – Dealing With the Distress of Wrongful Death
BY MELANIE WALTERS

A wrongful death, unlike the passing of someone who dies after a long battle with an illness, is sudden and unexpected. Life changes overnight, and the effects of suddenly having a void where there once was a cherished loved one can leave a family feeling lost and alone. There is no time to mentally prepare for such a dramatic event, and consequently the impact of such a loss is extremely intense. Losing a spouse or partner, lover or friend, because of another person or company’s negligence has its own set of issues, especially when that person provided substantial emotional and financial support to the household. In such cases it is extremely important to get as much support as you can in coping with the devastating effects of a wrongful death.

The Emotional Toll of Wrongful Death

The first reaction to a person’s death by accident is usually complete and utter shock, followed by an immense sense of loss. Confusion quickly follows, before grief, anger, and even guilt set in. Any one of these emotions is difficult to deal with on its own; when they come together quickly and intensely they can overwhelm even the most emotionally resolute of people. It is critical that the surviving family members, friends or partners of those who have been the victim of a wrongful death get the necessary support to help them cope with the plethora of emotions and circumstances that result.

Seek the help of support groups, private counsellors, family members and friends, a trusted priest or other clergyman, even you family physician. Talking about your feelings is of the utmost importance, and never, never feel guilty about any of them. It is natural for someone to go through a variety of emotions when dealing with a wrongful death; you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t. Though emotional turmoil is generally the first experience and concern resulting from a wrongful death, it is misguided to think it is the only one. There are also financial repercussions to consider, and confronting them quickly doesn’t make a person heartless at all, rather the opposite.

Dealing With the Financial Toll of Wrongful Death

Every individual has their own way of reacting to loss; as such there are no set rules as to how to respond to the financial implications of wrongful death accidents. There are though common threads that emerge repeatedly in such circumstances, and these therefore can constitute a reasonable basis on which to assess what the consequences of your loved one’s death might be. If debating as to whether or not to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, it is critical to understand that not all accidental deaths justify legal action.

Generally however, when significant negligence contributes to the cause of someone’s death; it is considered wrongful death, and a lawsuit is appropriate and sanctioned. An experienced and ethical wrongful death attorney can significantly increase your chances of being justly compensated for the wrongful death of your dear one. Damages are usually awarded for emotional anguish, punitive damages, burial and funeral expenses, therapy sessions and grief counselling, loss of potential future income, loss of companionship, and medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident.