The suddenness of a wrongful death of a loved one can be difficult to cope with no matter the age of the person. Our society has a tendency to devalue our elderly citizens; however, when an elderly loved one is the victim of a wrongful death, the emotional cost can be high.
The Shock of Loss with Wrongful Death
Wrongful Death of a loved one is often a traumatic experience. The death is usually the cause of an accident, an act of aggression, negligence or malpractice. Regardless of the cause, the shock of the loss is real. Even though the person was elderly, the fact that the death was unexpected means that there was no opportunity to prepare for it.
Even in situations where death is imminent, a person can only do so much emotionally in anticipation of the impending loss of a loved one. When the day of death finally arrives, there may still be a sense of loss, even though it may also be accompanied with feelings of relief, particularly if the deceased was suffering through a prolonged illness.
In the case where there is a wrongful death, the loss is intensified. There is no time to anticipate getting used to the idea of life without the person. There are no discussions before the death about getting things in order. There is no preparation, no opportunity to say goodbye.
The Elderly and Wrongful Death
Wrongful death in the elderly population is often the result of injuries due to an accident, professional malpractice, negligence or abuse in a facility. When a parent, grandparent or elderly spouse dies due to an act of another person, sometimes survivors may feel guilty.
In the case of neglect or abuse in a facility, loved ones may feel they should have been aware of what was happening. They may feel that had they been more involved, the outcome would have been different. This is not necessarily true. Nursing home surveys show a substantial amount of neglect and abuse. The American Medical Association discovered that even modest abuse greatly increases an elderly person’s chances of dying prematurely compared to those who experience no abuse.
The emotional costs of wrongful death are always challenging, advanced years notwithstanding. If you feel your elderly loved one died unnecessarily due to another person, you can contact Maison Law for a consultation. We have experience in personal injury law and we proudly serve the Central Valley area. Our main office is located in Visalia, CA. For compassionate excellence in legal representation, call on Michael Gasparian and the lawyers at Maison Law.
