When unexpected tragedy affects your family as a result of losing a loved one, the road ahead will not be easy. Undoubtedly, you will feel the gamut of emotions from anger and frustration to complete sadness and despair. These feelings may be intensified by the circumstances of your loved one’s passing, especially if it appears that negligence played a significant role in his or her life. If you are left with the aftermath of the wrongful death of a loved one, here are a few ways to help you survive that profound loss.
1. Support from Family
Anything you can do to keep yourself as positive as possible will help you cope with your feelings of loss. Try to stay involved with your hobbies, work, or other family members who can help you through this devastating experience. If you feel better having friends and family stay with you for a while to help you out with day-to-day tasks, then you may want to ask them to assist you for a few days or weeks.
2. Obtain Legal Help
If you have concerns about the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death as a result of an accident or negligence, ask an attorney for advice. Because the laws regarding wrongful death vary from state to state, you will need to find an attorney in your area who is knowledgeable about the process of filing a claim.
In some states, including New York, close family members may be able to file a claim for the negligent death of a loved one. These family members can include spouses, parents, children, and in some cases, even siblings or close relatives can take legal action against the person or company at fault. Since these terms are not the same across the country, a local experienced attorney firm in your area, such as a group of New York wrongful death lawyers, will be able to explain how to proceed under the laws that pertain to negligence and wrongful death in your state.
3. Get Professional Help
Undoubtedly, your emotional state will be fragile after the untimely death of a spouse or close family member. Talking to a psychologist or professional therapist about your feelings of anger, frustration, and sorrow will slowly help you get through the grieving process.
After a tragedy, remember it will certainly take time for the healing to begin, so try to be patient and diligent. Your pain will probably never go away completely, but with each day, you will be able to manage a little bit better than the day before.
Lisa Coleman shares 3 ways a person can get help following the death of a loved one when negligence is involved. She obtained some of the information online from the Perecman Firm PLLC, a New York wrongful death lawyers group, to complete this piece.
