Navigating Life After the Loss of a Child: Steps Recommended by a Wrongful Death Attorney
Key Takeaways
Families who lose a child due to another person’s actions may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim while also taking steps to care for their emotional well-being.
Building a strong support system, seeking counseling, and allowing yourself to grieve are essential parts of coping with the loss and beginning the healing process.
Losing a loved one is one of the most devastating things you can experience. The pain and loss are amplified if the loved one is a child who has passed away due to the wrongdoing or negligence of another person. The law allows the family to seek compensation for such wrongdoing, and you can contact our lawyers to help you find the justice you deserve.
Steps We Recommend Taking After Losing a Child
In addition to finding justice, loved ones must deal with the passing so they can get through the grief and emotional turmoil that follows such incidents. Here are a few things our Honolulu, HI wrongful death attorney suggests to help you navigate this time and find the closure you deserve.
Make Space for Grief, in Your Own Time and in Your Own Way
It may be natural for you to want to avoid the pain that comes with losing a child, but grief is not something that can be rushed, controlled, or pushed aside. It is a lifelong journey that often comes in waves—sometimes quiet, sometimes overwhelming, and sometimes unexpected. The pain may never disappear with time, but many people find ways to carry it, to live alongside it, and to honor their child’s life in ways that feel meaningful to them.
There is no “right” timeline or path through grief. Some days may feel heavier than others, and that does not mean you are moving backward. Allow yourself the space to feel what you feel, to remember your child in your own way, and to lean on support when you need it.
Over time, you may find moments of peace, connection, or even joy again—not because the loss is any less significant, but because you have found ways to hold both your love and your grief together.
Find and Lean on Your Support System
Regardless of how strong you are, no one should grieve alone, as doing so can cause further devastation and make it harder to deal with the loss of a loved one. It is vital to establish a support system that will help you through the grieving process.
The support system should include people you trust, such as your spouse, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends, who understand the unique situation that you are in.
A support system is crucial for helping you understand that you are not alone and do not have to go through this process alone. Some people in your support group might have lost a loved one too, even if they did not lose a child, so they may be able to share your burden.
Lastly, the people in your support group will give you a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear because talking through what has happened can help you with the grieving process. They may also get you started with a wrongful death by collecting the required documents such as the police reports, medical files, and other evidence that strengthens your case.
Seek Answers That Bring Closure
A wrongful death is a direct result of someone else’s actions. Finding answers to what has happened can be a crucial step in understanding the circumstances of the death and knowing who is responsible. Such answers could be the key to getting closure and making the grieving process easier.
These answers will be critical if you decide to sue for wrongful death. Our law firm can help you file a lawsuit, know what your case is worth, and find out what happened when you cannot get the answers you need.
Enroll in Counseling and Therapy
In addition to support you should get counseling and therapy. The death of a child is much harder to deal with than the death of an adult or older loved one, so it is often more devastating.
A therapist will help you find meaning in what has happened, help you understand that it is not your fault and that you do not have to blame yourself, and teach you how to cope with the death of a child.
They may also get you additional help by introducing you to support groups that cater to parents who have lost their children.
Minimize Triggers Around You
Panic, frustration, anger, grief, and sadness are normal emotions to experience after the death of a child. These emotions can come up during the grieving process, and many people find they are triggered by different things. For example, you may be reminded of your child and the loss you have gone through when you see something you used to do together or love.
Avoid situations that can trigger these emotions. While you do not have to do it forever, some people find that avoiding things you share can reduce the number of times these emotions are triggered.
Legal Help Is Here When You Need It
Losing a loved one is devastating for a parent. Everyone deals with it differently, and you can use the tips above while grieving. You also have the right to seek compensation for your loss. You can speak to our lawyers for help starting this process.
You can talk to us by calling us for a free consultation if your child’s death is due to someone else’s actions.
You can also visit our office at 700 Bishop St, Ste 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813.
