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Indiana Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Indiana Wrongful Death Lawyers

What Is Wrongful Death in Indiana?

Wrongful death occurs when a person loses his or her life because of the negligent, reckless, or malicious actions of another person or entity. The most common type of wrongful death lawsuits is brought by the loved ones of people who are killed in car accidentsmotorcycle accidentspedestrian accidents, and truck accidents. Incidents involving medical malpracticepremises liability, and other deadly personal injury accidents frequently give rise to wrongful death actions as well, and an experienced personal injury attorney in Indiana can help families navigate the legal process during such difficult times. In Indiana, there is an important distinction between fatalities that are caused by personal injury incidents and deaths that are caused by medical malpractice. The rights of survivors vary, depending on the cause of death and the relationship with the deceased.

Common Causes of Fatal Injuries in Indiana

Types of Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases

Who May Be Held Liable for Wrongful Death in Indiana?

Because wrongful death cases can arise because of numerous types of incidents, various defendants may be able to be held liable in Indiana wrongful death claims. In some cases, multiple parties might be defendants in a case. Our wrongful death lawyers will investigate your case to identify all possible defendants to ensure your settlement or jury award is maximized. Claims in Indiana are often filed against:

  •  Businesses
  •  Dangerous product manufacturers
  •  Doctors
  •  Hospitals
  •  Negligent drivers
  •  Nurses
  •  Property owners
  •  Surgeons
  •  Trucking companies
  •  Violent criminals
 

Elements of a Wrongful Death Claim

Losing a loved one unexpectedly is not always grounds for a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. For a wrongful death claim to be successful, you and your wrongful death lawyer must prove that various elements are present. If any of these elements are missing, you and other surviving family members may not be able to recover compensation for your losses.

To determine whether you have grounds for a wrongful death claim, your attorney will consider if the following exist.

Your wrongful death lawyer will also need to determine whether the wrongdoer acted as a reasonable, careful person under the facts and circumstances in your possible case. To make this determination, your attorney will look at the negligent, reckless, or malicious acts of the defendant. Did a negligent driver drive recklessly? Was a surgeon intoxicated? Did a property owner fail to provide adequate security?
The cause of your loved one’s death must also be considered when determining whether you have grounds for a claim. It is not enough that another party was negligent and that your loved one died. A cause of your loved one’s death must be the conduct of the responsible party. There can be more than one cause.
A wrongful death claim is intended to provide compensation to the deceased person’s loved ones. You are entitled to compensation for things such as; lost wages, funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses, and loss of love care and affection. Examples might include funeral and burial expenses, the loss of the deceased person’s income, or the loss of protection, guidance, or inheritance.

Indiana Wrongful Death FAQs

Personal representatives generally have 2 years from the date the person died to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Indiana. However, wrongful death lawyers often advise people to consult with an attorney as soon as possible, since exceptions to the statute of limitations may apply.

Wrongful death claims and lawsuits in Indiana must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. In most cases, the personal representative is an immediate family member like a spouse, parent, or adult child.

Parents of minor children who were killed in accidental shootings can file wrongful death claims to recover compensation.

The chances of success depend on the facts of the case, the strength of the evidence, and whether negligence can be proven. An experienced Indiana wrongful death attorney can evaluate the circumstances, gather medical records, consult experts, and build a compelling case. While no attorney can guarantee results, having skilled legal representation significantly improves your odds of reaching a favorable outcome.

In Indiana, wrongful death compensation is subject to statutory caps. For unmarried adults with no dependents, damages for loss of love and companionship are capped at $300,000. In medical malpractice-related wrongful death claims, damages are capped at $1,800,000 under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act. For wrongful death cases involving government entities, the recovery limit is $700,000. The applicable cap depends on the circumstances and the type of wrongful death claim filed.

In Indiana wrongful death cases, compensation is typically distributed to surviving family members, such as the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. If there are no dependents, it may go to parents, legal heirs, or financially dependent family members. The court makes the final decision on distribution.

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