Your Wrongful Death Lawyer Fort Wayne
A wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can help your family seek justice when someone else’s careless or reckless actions cause the death of a loved one. Losing someone in an accident is never easy, and the grief can be made worse by medical bills, funeral expenses, and uncertainty about what to do next. You don’t have to face that alone.
At the Ken Nunn Law Office, we help families across Indiana pursue justice and fair compensation after a wrongful death. Our team of lawyers understands both the legal and emotional challenges that come with these cases. We investigate what happened, gather evidence, and deal with insurance companies so you can focus on your family.
With over 50 years of experience standing up for Hoosiers, we know how to protect your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
It’s Easy to Get Started
Getting started with your case is as simple as a click or a phone call. Reach out to our law office today, and we’ll start reviewing your case immediately.
We’re Here to Protect Your Rights
You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s carelessness. We’ll fight for every dollar you deserve, so you can focus on recovering.
No Upfront Fees
At the Ken Nunn Law Office, we work on contingency. This means there’s no fee to hire us and no cost at all unless we win for you.
Table of Contents
What Is a Wrongful Death Case in Indiana?
A wrongful death case arises when a person’s death is caused by another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. In Indiana, these cases allow the surviving family or the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to pursue compensation on behalf of the loved one who passed away.
Wrongful death lawsuits are designed to hold the responsible party accountable and help families recover financial losses related to the death, such as medical expenses, lost income, and the loss of companionship and support.
Indiana Wrongful Death Statutes
Indiana has 3 main wrongful death statutes, each applying to different circumstances:
- Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1 – General Wrongful Death Statute (applies when an adult with dependents passes away)
- Indiana Code § 34-23-1-2 – Adult Wrongful Death Act (AWDA) (applies when an unmarried adult without dependents passes away)
- Indiana Code § 34-23-2-1 – Child Wrongful Death Act (CWDA) (applies when a child under 20, or under 23 and enrolled in school, passes away)
Each law outlines who can pursue the lawsuit, what expenses can be recovered, and how compensation is distributed. A knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can explain which statute applies to your case and make sure your family’s rights are protected.
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Who Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
In Indiana, the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit depends on the relationship to the person who passed away and the type of case involved. Here’s how it generally works:
- For Adults with Dependents: The personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the lawsuit. Any compensation recovered is distributed to the surviving spouse, children, or other dependents.
- For Unmarried Adults Without Dependents: The personal representative still brings the case, but compensation is limited to specific expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and attorney’s fees.
- For Children: The parents or legal guardian may pursue the lawsuit. If the parents are divorced or separated, the court will determine how any recovery is divided between them.
Because every case is different, speaking with an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can help you understand your rights and ensure the proper party pursues the lawsuit on your family’s behalf.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help
After losing a loved one, the last thing most families want to deal with is legal paperwork, insurance companies, or investigations. A wrongful death lawyer takes on those burdens so you don’t have to face them alone.
Here’s how a wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can help your family:
- Investigating the Cause of Death: Gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert opinions to understand what happened and who is responsible.
- Identifying Liable Parties: Determining whether the fault lies with an individual, a company, or multiple parties.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Communicating and negotiating directly with insurers to help protect your family from low settlement offers.
- Calculating Full Compensation: Accounting for all financial and emotional losses, including lost wages, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.
- Filing and Managing Legal Documents: Ensuring all paperwork is completed correctly and on time, in line with Indiana’s legal requirements.
- Representing You in Court: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, your lawyer can pursue the case before a judge and jury.
Our experience in personal injury law helps us handle complex cases involving serious injuries and fatalities, ensuring your family’s case gets the attention it deserves. If you want to find out how much your case may be worth, schedule a free consultation with a wrongful death attorney in Fort Wayne today.
Our Fort Wayne Wrongful Death Attorneys
How Long Do You Have to Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under Indiana law, families generally have 2 years from the date of death to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This rule, known as the statute of limitations, is meant to ensure that cases are brought while evidence is still available and memories are fresh.
If the lawsuit isn’t filed within that 2-year window, your family may not be able to recover compensation. That’s why it’s important to speak with a wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne as soon as possible after the loss of a loved one.
There are limited exceptions that could affect this timeline—for example, if the responsible party is a government entity or if certain details about the death aren’t discovered right away. Your lawyer can review your situation, identify any exceptions, and help ensure your case is started before the deadline.
The sooner you take action, the sooner your family can begin the process of seeking justice and accountability. Schedule a consultation with a lawyer to learn more about your options and what your next steps should be.
Compensation Available for Wrongful Death Lawsuits
No amount of money can replace the loss of a loved one, but a wrongful death lawsuit can help ease the financial strain and provide a sense of justice. The compensation available depends on who passed away and the specific circumstances of the case.
In Indiana, families may recover both economic and non-economic compensation:
- Economic Compensation: Covers measurable financial losses, such as:
- Medical and Hospital Expenses: Treatment and care your loved one received before their passing.
- Funeral and Burial Costs: Reasonable expenses for laying your loved one to rest.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: The income and benefits your loved one would have provided to dependents.
- Household Services: The value of contributions like childcare, cleaning, or home maintenance.
- Non-Economic Compensation: Addresses the emotional and personal impact of your loss, including:
- Loss of Companionship and Support: The love, guidance, and comfort your loved one provided.
- Emotional Distress: The pain and suffering caused by the loss.
Indiana’s wrongful death statutes set specific rules for what compensation may be recovered depending on the age and status of the deceased. A wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can help your family understand your legal options and gather the evidence needed to pursue full and fair compensation.
Typical Causes of Wrongful Death Accidents in Fort Wayne
Wrongful death cases can arise from many types of accidents, but they all share one thing in common—someone’s careless or reckless actions led to a preventable loss. In Fort Wayne and across Indiana, these cases often involve:
- Car Accidents: Fatal crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians caused by distracted, speeding, or impaired drivers.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Riders are especially vulnerable on the road, and a driver’s careless action can lead to a fatal crash with devastating consequences.
- Commercial Truck Wrecks: Collisions with large trucks or semis that result in catastrophic injuries or death.
- Medical Malpractice: When doctors, nurses, or hospitals fail to meet professional standards of care, leading to fatal complications.
- Workplace Accidents: Construction, manufacturing, or industrial site incidents caused by unsafe conditions or inadequate safety procedures.
- Defective Products: Dangerous or poorly designed products that cause fatal injuries when used as intended.
- Premises Liability: Fatal falls or accidents on unsafe properties where owners failed to correct hazards or warn visitors.
Each of these situations can leave families searching for answers and accountability. A wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can investigate the cause, identify responsible parties, and help your family pursue justice under Indiana law.
Why Choose the Ken Nunn Law Office for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Decades of Experience Serving Indiana Families
For more than 50 years, the Ken Nunn Law Office has helped grieving families across Indiana seek justice after tragic losses. Our wrongful death lawyers in Fort Wayne know how to navigate complex cases, from motor vehicle crashes to medical malpractice, and fight for the compensation families deserve.
Compassionate Guidance Through Difficult Times
We understand how painful and overwhelming this process can be. Our team takes the time to listen to your story, explain your rights, and handle every legal detail with care. You can count on us to treat your family with compassion and respect while we pursue accountability for your loved one’s death.
Proven Results and Dedication to Justice
Our team of lawyers stands up to large insurance companies and secure meaningful outcomes for our clients. When you choose the Ken Nunn Law Office, you gain a legal team that’s committed to protecting your rights and working tirelessly to achieve justice for your family.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process helps make it more manageable. When you work with our wrongful death lawyers in Fort Wayne, we guide you through every stage of the claim with care and clarity.
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Consultation and Case Review: We start with a free consultation to learn about your loved one’s death and determine if your case meets Indiana’s wrongful death requirements.
- Investigation: Our team gathers evidence such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements to determine how the death occurred and who may be legally responsible.
- Appointment of a Personal Representative: If needed, we help the family through the probate process to appoint a representative authorized to pursue the claim.
- Filing the Lawsuit: We prepare and file the legal complaint in the proper Indiana court within the statute of limitations.
- Negotiations with Insurance Companies: Before trial, we pursue a fair settlement by presenting evidence of your family’s losses and the other party’s fault.
- Litigation and Trial: If a settlement can’t be reached, we’re prepared to present your case before a judge and jury to seek full and fair compensation.
- Resolution and Recovery: Once compensation is secured, we ensure funds are distributed according to Indiana law and your family’s best interests.
Throughout the process, we’ll communicate openly, answer your questions, and make sure you understand what’s happening at every step. If you need support after the tragic loss of a loved one, schedule a consultation with an attorney today.
Fort Wayne Wrongful Death FAQs
In most cases, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate must file the lawsuit. For children, the parents or legal guardian may pursue the claim. A wrongful death lawyer in Fort Wayne can help determine who has the legal right to take action in your situation.
Indiana’s statute of limitations generally allows 2 years from the date of death to pursue a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline means your family may not be able to recover compensation, so it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system. If your loved one was more than 50% at fault, your family may not be able to recover compensation. If they were 50% or less at fault, compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Depending on the situation, your family may recover medical and funeral expenses, lost wages and benefits, and compensation for the loss of companionship and support. Indiana law allows both economic and non-economic compensation depending on who passed away.
Not always. Many wrongful death cases are resolved through settlements outside of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, your lawyer can take the case to trial and present it before a judge or jury.
At the Ken Nunn Law Office, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for your family.
Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil case and is separate from any criminal charges. Even if someone is charged—or not charged—criminally, your family may still pursue a civil case for compensation.
Schedule a Consultation with a Fort Wayne Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you’ve lost a loved one because of someone else’s actions, you don’t have to face this alone. The Ken Nunn Law Office has helped families across Indiana pursue justice and accountability for more than 50 years. Our wrongful death lawyers in Fort Wayne are ready to listen, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of the legal process.
We understand the pain your family is going through, and we’ll treat your case with the compassion and care it deserves. Let our team handle the legal work while you focus on what truly matters: your family and your healing.
Contact us today for a free consultation. There’s no cost to get started, and you won’t pay any fees unless we recover compensation for you.