Losing a loved one in a negligent mishap is traumatic, and you feel guilty even when someone else is responsible. The situation gets more daunting when your child dies in the accident. You want the guilty person to pay for the wrongful death of your loved one, but it cannot bring the kid back. Dealing with your grief is challenging, but it is the only way to resume normalcy and get justice for the deceased.
Moreover, you must step back into the parental role if you have other kids in the family. Although nothing can numb the pain, you can do your bit to deal with it. Here are some insights on dealing with the wrongful death of your child.
Accept the reality
Accepting reality is the first step toward dealing with the grief of losing a child. You may struggle to come to terms with the situation, but the only way to move is forward. Expect to face hundreds of questions throughout the journey. For example, you may find yourself thinking about whether you could have done anything to save your child or if you had done enough to prevent the injury in the first place. You may never find answers, but you can definitely identify the person whose negligence led to the death of the child. It may be a doctor who engaged in medical malpractice, a driver guilty of rash driving, or a retail store owner who never paid attention to premises safety. Accept the loss and understand what caused it to navigate the road ahead.
Say a final goodbye
You can move a step ahead with acceptance by saying a final goodbye to your child. It has to happen, no matter how challenging it is for you as a parent. The best thing to do is to create fond last memories with a funeral service to remember the good times together.
Although arranging a funeral for your child sounds daunting, you must absolutely do it. Seek help from friends or family members to organize the event. After the final goodbye, it is time to grapple with ground realities such as profound pain and suffering, hefty medical bills, and funeral expenses.
File a wrongful death claim
Saying goodbye is a part of the journey, but it seldom gives closure when a loved one dies due to someone's negligence. You must ensure punishment for the guilty and justice for your child. The best way to do it is by contacting a wrongful death lawyer who can help you claim compensation and peace of mind. The guilty person should pay damages like medical bills for injury treatment and funeral and burial expenses. Most importantly, you must seek justice for the pain and suffering your kid experienced before death. The claim can also cover your emotional distress as a parent. An expert can calculate the value of rightful compensation and ensure that the guilty person pays it in full.
Create a new schedule
You can never forget the precious moments with your child, but remembering the dead day and night only worsens the grief. Counselors recommend creating a new schedule that fills the gaps and keeps you busy. For example, stay-at-home moms can take up volunteering or pick a side hustle to avoid grieving all the time. Daddies can spend time with the other kids after work or adopt a pet to distract themselves. Focus on what you have, and preserve your relationship as partners because the stress and trauma can make you drift apart.
Embrace self-care
The death of a child can affect your mental well-being. Resuming normalcy is not easy because you may feel guilty for doing so. But blaming oneself can only increase your problems. Embracing self-care is the key to staying sane and regaining control. You can start with small steps such as taking up a fitness schedule, stepping out more often, and doing things you like. Try meditation to restore inner peace and get enough sleep. Share your feelings and emotions with your partner or a trusted friend. Seeing a therapist can help if the pain does not seem to recede.
Nothing can fill the void created by the death of a child. The emotions can overwhelm you, but they get even harder to deal with when the kid dies due to another person's negligence. You may feel consumed by anger and frustration. However, you must take a strategic approach to get justice for your child and punishment for the guilty person. Also, try your best to take hold of life again.
