How Do You Recover From a Sudden Death of a Loved One?

When a loved one dies suddenly or unexpectedly, that can leave you feeling overwhelmed. In addition to the emotional turmoil you'll be feeling, there are also the financial and legal issues that are associated with the death. This guide offers a few tips on how you can recover from an unexpected death emotionally and financially, so you can work towards rebuilding your life.

How Can You Deal With the Emotional Distress of a Sudden Death?

According to Baderscott, the death of a loved one is always a sad occasion, but when that death was caused by negligence or an intentional act, it can take a tremendous emotional toll on the survivors of the deceased. The following steps can help you to work through your grief so you can move forward with your life.

Seek Support From Others

Learning about the sudden death of a loved one is going to throw you into a state of emotional turmoil and extreme distress, so you shouldn't feel compelled to handle it alone. In fact, confiding in others will help you put the tragedy in perspective, allowing you to grieve in a healthier manner. You can seek out the comfort offered by other family members and friends, or you can benefit from meeting with a counselor or support group.

Remember to Care for Yourself

You should continue to care for your emotional well-being throughout this time. This may involve continuing to enjoy hobbies that you find relaxing or engaging in physical activity to reduce stress. Even taking up yoga or meditation can help you care for your physical and emotional health as you grieve your loss.

Make a Plan

Finally, you should create a plan for giving your life a fresh start. Even though you may not feel like resuming a normal routine, it's important to force yourself to do so. Your plan should focus on filling each day with activities that will help you divert your attention toward more constructive activities. You should start with returning to work or pursuing a new career path. Adding other activities, such as exercise, hobbies, and socializing with friends, will also be helpful.

Did the Accident Lead to a Wrongful Death?

In some cases, the fault for an accidental death can be attributed to a third-party and, in that situation, you may be able to seek damages. This is called a wrongful death claim, and it must meet certain conditions in order to proceed. This is the first step in your financial recovery.

You must be able to show that another person or business entity acted with negligence or willfully intended to cause harm to the individual. You must also be able to show that their negligence or willful act caused the individual's death and that the death caused you and other family members financial distress.

While there are more complex legal matters that will affect these issues, a wrongful death attorney can help you evaluate the facts of the case. If you do want to pursue compensation or damages in a wrongful death claim, it's important to act quickly. Each state applies a statute of limitations on how long you have to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In most states, that's two years from the date the death occurred.

What Damages Can Be Sought in a Wrongful Death?

While the specific damages you can seek will depend on the circumstances in your specific case, the following damages are typical in most wrongful death claims:

• Bills for medical care up to the moment of death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of inheritance
• Lost wages that would otherwise have been earned by the decedent
• Pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members

Money can't compensate you for the sudden loss of your loved one, but seeking damages for a wrongful death can help you to get back on your feet again if you depended on the deceased’s earnings for financial support. After an accidental death, a lawyer can help you determine if another party was at fault.