Losing a family member is a tragedy and also a life-altering trauma. People who survive spouses, parents or children feel intense grief and may also need to deal with a variety of challenging personal issues. They have to arrange for a funeral, make up for lost income and reallocate household responsibilities.
The grieving process can take months or years in many cases. People may struggle for a long time before life starts to feel somewhat normal again. Unfortunately, the emotional distress that accompanies the untimely death of a family member could potentially deprive people of the justice they crave after a tragedy. The law limits how long families have to take legal action after a tragedy.
Wrongful death lawsuits are an option for two years
Under Indiana state statutes, the personal representative of an adult’s estate or the parents of a deceased child can file a wrongful death lawsuit. That lawsuit can request compensation for losses ranging from lost future wages to medical expenses.
When there is evidence of misconduct or negligence, the courts could order a business or individual to compensate those left behind when someone dies. Unfortunately, there is a relatively small window of opportunity to take legal action after a tragedy in Indiana. The statute of limitations only gives surviving family members two years from the date of someone’s death to file a lawsuit.
By the time people have recovered from their grief, it may be too late to pursue justice in civil court. Those who understand the law may be able to hold the right party accountable for a tragic loss with a wrongful death lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit promptly is necessary to comply with Indiana state law.