Tragedy can happen to anyone, without warning, at any time. It’s especially heartbreaking when a tragic situation involves an infant or a child. Fisher-Price recently recalled millions of Rock ‘n Play Sleepers after more than 30 babies died after rolling over in them and suffocating. One month later, the company recalled 71,000 additional inclined-sleeper accessories sold with other products. While Fisher-Price did the right thing by removing these dangerous products from the market, it doesn’t change the fact that dozens of families are grieving the loss of their babies because of preventable design defect.
The shock and pain of these situations turn life upside-down. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, and other emotional effects commonly follow the death of a child. Everything comes to a screeching halt, and for many, that could mean losing a job and going into debt.
The next logical step is often to pursue a lawsuit against the company or person whose carelessness led to the death of the child. A settlement would be a welcome financial reprieve, but litigation could take years to conclude. Compounded with the fact that many plaintiff funding companies charge astronomical interest rates, and this snowball effect can leave a family in financial ruin.
We can never fully know what our friend or family member is going through when facing a tragedy. That’s why it’s critical to be mindful of all the aspects of what someone may be enduring as they cope — and understanding that they may not readily talk about some of those things. When needed, getting the assistance of a professional can be a helping hand that makes a world of a difference.
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline
American Psychological Association Psychologist Locator
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SOURCE: The Legal Examiner – Read entire story here.