Wrongful Death

Indianapolis Wrongful Death Attorneys

FIGHTING FOR FAMILIES WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGHEST

Wrongful death can occur due to countless factors, such as:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Premises liability accidents
• Defective products
• Defective medical devices and drugs
• Work-related accidents
• Daycare incidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Birth injuries

These are some of the most devastating and complex cases we handle. Our Indianapolis wrongful death lawyers understand what you have been through and are here to help you navigate the legal process. We work tirelessly to secure maximum compensation.

Wrongful Death Caused by Medical Malpractice

Incidents that lead to wrongful death in the medical field include surgical errors, missed diagnoses, and hospital-related infections. Ranking as the highest cause for wrongful death in the U.S., around 210,000 people die each year because of a medical mistake.

Poor communication, over-tired doctors, understaffed hospitals, and many other factors contribute to the high number of medical mistakes. The truth is, these errors are killing more people each year than drug abuse deaths and car accident deaths combined.

Wrongful Death Caused by Workplace Accidents

Although it’s the least common type of wrongful death accident, there are still nearly 5,000 people who lose their lives each year in workplace accidents. Often times, workers’ comp is not enough to cover the surviving family members’ living expenses. A lawsuit can help a family carry on, even without the ongoing income and support of their loved one.

Common causes of work-related wrongful death:

• Construction accidents
• Car or truck accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Factory accidents

Indianapolis workers’ compensation death benefits are among the lowest in the country, so wrongful death lawsuits can often bridge the gap for grieving families.

Civil Damages & Caps on Damages

In the city of Indianapolis, some wrongful death claims have limits, or “caps,” on damages.

Here is a brief summary of which claims are subject to limits on damages:

• If the deceased was an adult and had a spouse or surviving children, there is no limit on damages; the amount is left up to a jury to decide based on the individual details of each case, such as the medical bills incurred, amount of lost wages, etc.
• If the deceased was a child (under the age of 20 or under 23 if they are enrolled in college), there is also no limit on damages.
• If the deceased person was an adult (at least 23 years of age), unmarried, and had no minor children, non-economic damages are capped at $300,000. Reimbursement for medical bills, funeral expenses, and attorney fees can be awarded in addition to the $300,000 limit.
• In medical malpractice cases, there is a cap of $1,250,000 applicable to all claims.
• If a wrongful death lawsuit is being filed against a government entity, such as the city of Indianapolis, town, or school, there is a cap of $700,000 applicable to all claims, regardless of the amount of medical bills, expenses, or attorney fees.

Why File a Wrongful Death Case?

If you lose a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, there are both emotional and financial losses. The emotional damages are obvious. Although nothing can bring back your loved one, Indianapolis law allows recovery for the loss of love and affection. From a financial standpoint, a lawsuit can restore the financial security you had before their death.

“Wrongful death claims are unlike any other lawsuit; they’re often complicated and filled with emotion. We understand this all too well, having helped several Indianapolis families through a time of loss. Calling us to talk through your options can prove to be a first step toward healing.” –Stephen Wagner

Wrongful Death Cases We’ve Handled in the Past

In one case we handled, a surviving wife filed a wrongful death claim for her husband who was killed on the job. She knew that without his income, and because she had been out of the workforce for many years while raising their children, her family’s lifestyle would be significantly altered. Not only this, but her children were left without their father, which left a gaping hole in their family (what the courts refer to as a loss of love and affection).

With the money the family received from the settlement, they were able to pay off their house, make investments for college for the children, minimize their expenses, and afford quality childcare for the kids when the mother returned to the workforce.</pIn another case we handled, adult children of an elderly father were left with devastating medical bills after an error caused their father to sustain a fatal infection in the hospital. The children filed a wrongful death suit against the hospital and were awarded damages sufficient to cover medical bills, burial expenses, and other costs incurred by their father’s death—which they wouldn’t have incurred were it not for the hospital’s error.

Contact Wagner Reese for a Free Consultation

If you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, don’t wait. The statute of limitations on these cases is two years from the date of death. Emotional recovery, we understand, may take a lifetime. Financial recovery is something we can assist you with so you don’t have to struggle under the weight of debt on top of your other losses.

With more than 150+ years of combined legal experience, our wrongful death attorneys in Indianapolis understand the intricacies involved in this area of law. Our firm utilizes a client-focused approach, along with results-driven strategies that have helped us successfully recover millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients.

Our firm provides free initial consultations, as well as Spanish-speaking services, and we can meet with you at your home or in the hospital if you are unable to make it to our office. We offer all of our services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay unless we win your case. Call (888) 204-8440.