Losing a loved one is perhaps the most painful thing, and it gets traumatic if they die due to a medical error. Knowing that they could live, had a healthcare provider not faltered can be a haunting feeling that stays for a lifetime. It only worsens the stress and pain of the loss because you think you may have saved your spouse, child, or parent. But such losses are often beyond control, no matter how hard you try. Even the best practitioners may slip during diagnosis, treatment, or surgeries, and patients and their families suffer for a lifetime. Besides coping with the loss, families struggle to deal with the pain. Here are some ways to get through the trauma of losing a loved one due to a medical error.
Get hold over your emotions
Nothing can numb the pain of such immense loss, but things are different when a medical error is involved. You may feel more than grief because anger against the provider is a normal emotion. Expect to feel guilty as you may feel you could have done something different to change the situation. Sadness, anxiety, and depression may set in as every day without your loved one reminds you of the incident. The only way to preserve your sanity is by getting hold of your emotions. You may consider seeing a therapist because the situation can affect your mental health more than you imagine. Professional help is often the only way to deal with such strong negative emotions.
Break the connection to move on
Saying a final goodbye to your loved one is perhaps the hardest thing to do. You may want to hold on because you want justice for them. But you cannot move on unless you do not break the connection. Of course, the fond memories should stay forever, but the guilt and anger shouldn’t because they can harm you. Moreover, you cannot see clearly or plan the future course of action without offloading the painful past. Let your loved one rest in peace and keep their precious memories in your heart.
Seek legal compensation
You must definitely seek legal compensation for medical malpractice because it can give you closure after the loss. Moreover, justice for the deceased is probably what you want the most. You must get expert legal representation for medical malpractice cases to file a court case against the negligent provider. But make sure you have all the evidence to establish their negligence and prove it led to the loss. A seasoned lawyer can help you get the rightful compensation for your loss. Although it does not cover the pain of losing a precious person, it definitely brings peace of mind and helps financially.
Stick together as a clan
The death of a family member is a loss for everyone in the family, so everyone understands each other’s grief and suffering. The best way to build back again is by sticking together as a clan and supporting each other throughout the healing process. You should not try to undermine the pain or bottle up. Talk about it, remember the person, and be open about your emotions. A family therapy session can help everyone cope with grief and get through the situation. Being there for each other can speed up the healing.
Resume normalcy
Another piece of advice is to resume normalcy in your routine, no matter how hard it sounds. You may also feel guilty about continuing life after the loss, but you shouldn’t. Getting back to routine can be helpful for everyone, specifically the kids in the family. The younger members are often in the worst place after a tragic death in the family, and you can help them recover by re-establishing a routine. Send them back to school, return to the office, and spend quality time together. You may even plan an outing to change the mood. Of course, you can talk about the lost loved one and remember fond moments. But focus on healing and starting afresh.
Life after losing someone you love may never be the same again. Things are even more daunting when a medical error or negligence leads to loss. But building back is the only option families have. However, it is crucial to get closure before starting again, and justice is the best way to get it. Fortunately, you can file a medical negligence claim to seek compensation for your loss and justice for your loved one. You must definitely get both because your family deserves them.
