Dealing With the Loss of a Child
There’s nothing a parent can go through that is more painful and difficult than losing a child. Whether it’s due to illness, an accident, or some other tragedy, parents who lose a child often find themselves feeling lost, shocked, and overwhelmed by grief. July is International Bereaved Parents Month, a month dedicated to honoring, supporting, and raising awareness for those who have lost a child.
The impacts of losing a child
Not surprisingly, the death of a child has a profound effect on parents – psychologically and emotionally of course, but physically, too. The chronic grief and depression that accompanies bereavement tends to affect everything from interpersonal relationships to the health and overall well-being of the parent, and the extreme emotional loneliness that many people experience can put them at risk for mental health disorders and suicidal ideation.
The trauma involving the loss of a child and the distress that follows can actually bring on physical problems, usually due to a combination of stress, a weakened immune system, and/or poor health behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). Some of the more common physical ailments associated with grief include things like stomach pains, muscle cramps, headaches, and even irritable bowel syndrome.
In addition, chronic stress impacts the way our brains function – the stress hormone, cortisol, has even been linked to brain cell death. And because the regions of the brain responsible for appetite and sleep are the same regions involved in processing grief, many bereaved parents end up developing sleep and eating disorders.
For those who have experienced the loss of a child, it’s important to remember that there are people out there who you can lean on for help and to utilize whatever resource you feel comfortable with. You can seek help from licensed counselors, support groups, and even clergy. Two national organizations that can also be of help are: Bereaved Parents USA and The Compassionate Friends.
Bringing a wrongful death case in the loss of a child
When a child dies due to the negligence or harmful actions of someone else, it can be even more difficult to process. And while seeking legal recourse after the death of a child may not seem like a top priority after such a loss, it’s important to make sure that any responsible parties are held accountable for their actions and that any dangerous products or procedures are corrected to protect others from harm in the future. Bringing a wrongful death case also ensures that parents and families aren’t sidled with financial burdens that can result from the incident.
In general, a parent or legal guardian may be able to receive damages for things including:
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs incurred prior to death
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and love
• Mental anguish and suffering
• Medical and Psychological treatment
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the law in Texas requires wrongful death lawsuits to be filed within two years of the date of death. That’s why it’s important to contact an experienced lawyer like the ones at GreeningLaw P.C. right away so they can preserve critical evidence and obtain statements from witnesses while the memory of events related to the incident is still fresh in their minds.
We want to help parents and families
GreeningLaw, P.C. is committed to handling these kinds of cases with compassion and respect. Our experienced team of lawyers and legal support staff has worked with grieving parents and families in a wide variety of cases involving injuries and accidental deaths of children. We understand that nothing will bring back your child or fully compensate you for your loss, but we will fight to make sure that those responsible are held liable and help you through the process – making sure you get the support you need both now and in the future.
The team at GreeningLaw P.C. treat every case with the personalized care and respect we would afford our own families, and because we work on a contingency basis, you don’t pay anything if we don’t win the case.
Call (972) 934-8900 or visit our contact page today and we’ll go over the elements of your case.
We fight the legal battle so you have time for healing and renewal. We will get you through this.