My son was killed by a reckless driver. I left my job, used my savings, and faced the hidden costs of losing a child.
After Michael White's teenage son, Magnus, was killed, he left his $187,000 job and faced lost income, legal expenses, therapy bills, and other costs.
In July 2023, 17-year-old Magnus White, a talented cyclist on the USA Cycling National Team, died after being hit by a driver near his home in Boulder, Colorado. The tragic incident left his parents, Michael and Jill White, devastated. Days after the devastating loss, they held a memorial for their son. Jimena Peck for BI, a reporter, spoke with Michael White about the financial burden following their son's death.
An attorney was immediately sought, and the family faced numerous decisions, including selecting an urn for Magnus' ashes. The emotional toll of losing their child was immense, but the financial consequences were equally daunting. Legal bills, lost income, and the need for therapy added to their struggles. As the family waited for the driver to be charged with reckless vehicular homicide, they continued to bear the costs of the tragedy.
The hospital paid nearly $137,000 for Magnus' medical care, and the family faced a reimbursement requirement from any insurance settlement. Their health plan sought reimbursement from their underinsured motorist policy, ultimately deducting $5,000 from their settlement. Colorado's crime victim compensation program provides some relief for expenses like counseling and funeral costs, but the transactional nature of the process was still jarring.
After five months of waiting for charges against the driver, the White family faced an almost insurmountable financial burden. Michael White, a creative director at an outdoor product company, had to take time off work to deal with the aftermath of his son's death. His wife Jill also took several months off and has since returned to working at a university.
The loss of their two incomes has forced the Whites to make significant financial sacrifices, such as reducing their spending and drawing from their savings to cover college costs for their other son. The emotional and financial strain of losing their child has been immense, and Michael White has decided to take a step back from his career to focus on his grief. The family continues to seek therapy and support, but the road to recovery is long and challenging.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
