Losing a child in a senseless act of violence is a pain that often never fades. Parents may struggle with many emotions as they try to make sense of what happened and how the tragedy may have been prevented. Learning about missed opportunities to prevent the fatal crime may stir up even more emotions for distraught parents. However, seeking restitution for those acts of negligence does not have to add to the pain and suffering of grieving parents.
Rather than going through a contentious and prolonged litigation, those who are taking legal action in the aftermath of a loved one’s wrongful death may choose a less stressful method of conflict resolution such as mediation. One example of this is the family of a university student in another state who was shot and killed outside her dormitory. The parents of the track star are seeking $56 million from the university for failing to protect their daughter from a violent former boyfriend.
The young woman dated the 37-year-old man without knowing he was a registered sex offender on parole. When she stopped dating him, the man continued to harass and threaten her. The parents contend that their daughter repeatedly reported to campus police that she felt endangered by the man, and an independent review agreed that campus police did not take the matter seriously. The university maintains that it had no legal control over the situation.
By taking the matter to mediation, both sides can negotiate, ideally reaching a settlement that is fair and satisfactory. For grieving families to obtain success through mediation, however, it is helpful to have an experienced attorney with skill and insight into personal injury cases. An attorney with mediation experience may be an asset to those seeking a gentler method of resolving complex and painful disputes.