What do you do if someone that you love dies due to the negligence of another person? It’s a question many people find themselves asking at some point in their lives. After all, it’s not every day that someone so close to us is taken from our lives needlessly. You may be wondering what steps you can take next. The following article will provide suggestions for what to do after your loved one has passed away due to somebody else’s negligence. Read on for the tips.
Mourn Your Loved One
The first thing you must do is mourn your loved one. This may be the most challenging step of all, but it’s a necessary part of processing what has happened and moving forward. Allow yourself time to grieve with those close to you and alone if need be.
Many people find that taking care of their loved one’s body is an important part of healthy grieving. If possible, you may want to take your time with this step and consider holding a funeral or memorial service before burial or cremation takes place, but make sure to follow any instructions given by your family member for how they want to handle this matter. The mourning time will also offer you an opportunity to think of the steps you’ll be taking next.
Locate the Person Who Caused The Death of Your Loved One
If you’re not sure who was at fault for your loved one’s death, it is important to determine this as soon as possible after their passing so that you can act accordingly. Gather evidence and information about what happened, including any eyewitness reports, police reports, and any other related information. Make sure that you avoid accusing the wrong person or appearing suspicious if you decide to talk with potential witnesses.
You must take extra caution at this stage to avoid damaging your case. Take the time to hire a wrongful death attorney who will be able to help you navigate this process and represent your family in court if need be. If you are not sure of the occurrence, you should work with experts to get it resolved. You can also hire an attorney at this step to help you out.
Locate an Attorney
Once you have figured out exactly who is at fault for your loved one’s death, you should look for an attorney to help with the next steps. Conforming to this wrongful death lawyer in Philadelphia, you might be forced to do this even when you are unsure of the occurrence, as an attorney can help you be prepared for any possibilities. Make sure to look into several attorneys before making a final decision, and know that it is okay to shop around until you find someone who will best match your needs and expectations.
Suppose it was due to a car accident or some other sort of accident caused by negligence on the part of another person (such as medical malpractice). In that case, hiring a personal injury lawyer will be in order. If it was due to the negligence of medical staff (such as an unsupervised nurse leaving medication within reach or another person’s child), then hiring a malpractice attorney would be more appropriate.
Communicate With the Defendant
You can resolve some cases through communication. If you are not interested in filing a lawsuit against the other person, you should contact them to see if you can work out an out-of-court settlement. You may also want to try this before hiring an attorney so that it doesn’t appear like your family is trying to take advantage of another’s misfortune. However, an attorney is well suited to help you work out this type of settlement.
Your lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer sit down, share notes, and agree to a fair settlement. You will also want to talk with the insurance company to get them on board and ready for this process. The defendant might be happy to remove any blame from their shoulders. Still, your family does not necessarily have to do the same if there was wrongdoing involved that could lead you into filing a lawsuit or criminal charges. If this step fails, you can then file a wrongful death suit.
File a Lawsuit
If all else fails, then filing a wrongful death lawsuit will be your only option to receive compensation for the loss of your loved one or find justice in their name. This step is often done with an attorney’s guidance and may take some time before it reaches closure because lawsuits like these can be quite complicated. You should make sure to keep all of your receipts and paperwork throughout this process, as you will need them during the trial to prove that you are owed compensation for your loss.
You may also want to consider filing a lawsuit against any third parties involved (such as doctors or hospitals) who acted negligently and contributed to your loved one’s death. Your attorney will guide you through this process as well. Remember to take your time during the grieving process and know that it is okay if you need more than a few weeks or months before filing anything in court.
Don’t Forget About Your Loved Ones!
After going through this process, you have to remember about your health and wellness as well. Make sure that you put yourself first during this time to stay strong for those around you who are still living. This is not the time to fall into a deep depression or turn to substance abuse to cope with the pain of losing a loved one.
There are many ways to cope with grief, so you should seek out your doctor or therapist for advice on moving forward and healing emotionally. You might also want to consider joining a support group of people who have lost someone due to another person’s negligence to talk about what happened without worrying that others will judge you. You can do all this while your attorney is taking care of the legal side of things.
In conclusion, you want to make sure that you take the time to grieve and heal after losing a loved one. However, if their death was due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, then filing a wrongful death suit maybe your best option to receive compensation for your loss so that you can put it behind you and move forward with life. You need to hire a reliable malpractice attorney to help you with this process.
