DEALING WITH THE BEREAVED CLIENT: HELP FOR CLIENTS (AND HELP FOR YOU)
I am in the midst of preparing the APIL course on Fatal Accidents along with solicitor Hilary Wetherell. The useful thing about working with other people is that you get good ideas. In developing the course, and alongside learning about the practicalities of law and procedure we are keen to develop good practices in relating to compassionate and careful dealing with the bereaved client. It was Hilary who pointed out that we also have to cover the stress that lawyers can suffer in dealing with bereavement. It is not only personal injury lawyers who have to deal with bereaved clients, the issue covers a wide range of disciplines. Here are some useful links that deal both with the client’s position and also advice for employers.
(I am always keen to add to this list and welcome suggestions).
THE LINKS
- NHS Choices on Dealing with Loss
- Facing Bereavement on dealing with death through accidents
- Psychlinks on Grief and Bereavement in accident or sudden death
- Loss, change and grief on dealing with sudden, accidental or traumatic death
SPECIFIC GUIDANCE FOR PROFESSIONALS DEALING WITH BEREAVED CLIENTS
- Belfast Trust has written a useful and extensive guide Dealing with Traumatic Bereavement
- Chris Blunt: After the loss of a spouse: five points for helping grieving clients
- Very useful guidance from the Centre for Grief Journey on Helping a Grieving Client (see in particular the list of things not to say)
- Mark Tyrell on Three vital pointers for helping clients with grief
- The College of Education at Penn State on Helping Clients Deal with Grief and Loss
- Gary Glober MD – How to Effectively and Efficiently Interact with Grieving Clients. rppt_publications_magazine_2008_ja_Glober.authcheckdam
GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS DEALING WITH BEREAVEMENT
- ACAS on Managing Bereavement in the Workplace – a good Practice Guide
- Cruse Bereavement Care on Managing Bereavement at Work
- ACAS more general guide to Bereavement in the Workplace (with further useful links).
