The death of a child is a tragedy that no parent should ever have to endure, but when the death is due to the negligence or misconduct of another person, that can make the situation even worse. Although no one can bring back someone’s child, there are resources that can help families cope.
What Are the Causes of Wrongful Death in Children?
With children, the most common cause of wrongful death is vehicular accidents. This includes car accidents where another adult is transporting the child and their negligence causes the child’s death. It also includes cases where a negligent driver of another vehicle is responsible for the accident. In some cases, children riding their bicycles or playing outside also suffer wrongful death due to a car or truck accident.
On top of that, many wrongful deaths in children are caused by faulty products. Over the years, deaths have been caused by products made for children such as toys with lead, dangerous playground equipment, and hoverboards. Beyond that, products such as tires, airbags, and tipping shelves have led to the wrongful death of multiple children.
In some cases, medical malpractice can lead to the wrongful death of a child. At birth, nearly 2% of infant deaths are related to injuries often linked to medical malpractice or the misuse of instruments. As children get older, they may be misdiagnosed, given the wrong medication, or exposed to a range of other potentially fatal risks. In fact, according to some estimates, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death for people of all ages.
Children can also suffer wrongful deaths due to dog attacks, by drowning in swimming pools, and by playing sports.
How Can Wrongful Deaths Be Prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way for parents to protect their children from wrongful deaths. By their very nature, wrongful deaths are caused by the negligence of another person or entity.
However, to keep children as safe as possible, parents should focus on road safety and emphasize the importance of using seatbelts and bicycle helmets. They should also warn their children about the potential risks of dogs they don’t know. Ideally, parents should know the signs of a concussion so they can help keep their children safe on the field, and they should always watch their hildren around swimming pools.
If possible, parents should monitor recall notices and immediately stop using any products that have been recalled. Ideally, parents should try to do due diligence on the products they use, and in particular, they may want to avoid manufacturers with a history of creating dangerous products.
However, in many cases, these efforts are simply not enough. When an individual or a company is negligent, a child can die, regardless of how hard their parents tried to protect them.
Is There Support for Parents Who Have Lost a Child Due to Wrongful Death?
There are many support groups for parents who have lost their children. To find a group in your local area, contact your church, community center, hospital, or library. The staff at these facilities may be able to help you find a grief support group.
If you can’t find a local group, you may want to look for an online group. Facebook, in particular, has many groups geared toward parents suffering the loss of a child. Many parents also find some relief by talking with grief counselors.
When you have lost a child due to wrongful death, support is only one facet of the equation. Your child deserves justice for negligent behavior that caused them to lose their life, and you also deserve compensation for related expenses and suffering. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Mazow | McCullough, PC today at 855-693-9084. We can talk with you about your case and help you decide how to move forward.
