When negligence robs you of a loved one, the emotional anguish can be crippling. As you grieve this loss, the idea of legal battles and lawsuits may seem overwhelming. Yet seeking justice through a wrongful death claim is an important step toward accountability, closure, and financial stability.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, our Hammond wrongful death attorneys know you are going through pain and turmoil. For over a century, our legal team has provided caring counsel and advocacy to Indiana families facing tragic circumstances.
Our Hammond personal injury lawyers will treat your case with sensitivity, taking the time to understand the depths of your loss. While you focus on emotional healing, we’ll handle all the legal complexities, protecting your rights and tenaciously pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Indiana?
Under state law, certain family members have the right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit when a loved one’s life is wrongfully taken. Those who may file include:
- The personal representative of the deceased’s estate
- A surviving spouse
- Dependent children or grandchildren
- Parents
- Adult children or siblings with certain conditions met
Our attorneys can evaluate your relationship to the deceased and advise if you meet the criteria to seek damages on behalf of the estate.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Common Causes of Wrongful Death Cases
Preventable accidents and misconduct that can give rise to a wrongful death claim include:
- Vehicle accidents caused by negligence
- Dangerous premises, unsafe conditions
- Workplace accidents, construction site incidents
In each scenario, another party’s negligence, recklessness, or purposeful actions set in motion the chain of events leading to your loved one’s untimely death. Negligence must be proven with evidence. A wrongful death attorney in Hammond can help you prove negligence.
There is no fee
unless you win
Proving Wrongful Death Elements
To have grounds for a valid claim, your Hammond wrongful death attorney must establish:
- The negligent party owed the deceased a duty of care
- That duty was breached
- The death was directly caused by that breach of care
- There are monetary damages and losses recoverable through legal action
Comprehensive investigation and keen legal analysis are required to meet these burden of proof standards. Attorneys understand the burden of proof and will gather evidence to help you prove that negligence occurred and resulted in your loved one’s death.
Damages Recoverable in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
While no amount of money can compensate for a precious life lost, a wrongful death claim may allow you to pursue damages such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pre-death medical care
- Loss of the deceased’s expected earnings and benefits
- Loss of love, companionship, guidance, and support
- Your own mental anguish, grief, and loss of companionship
- Punitive damages if gross negligence or malicious intent occurred
Don’t settle for less than you are owed. An experienced Hammond wrongful death attorney will carefully calculate your full range of economic and non-economic damages to rightfully account for your devastating loss.
Indiana’s Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
Like other states, Indiana imposes strict time limits for filing wrongful death lawsuits. Known as the statute of limitations, this deadline is 2 years from the date of the death.
While this may seem like ample time, critical evidence can disappear, and accounts fade quickly after a tragedy occurs. The sooner you take legal action, the stronger your case will be.
Having a knowledgeable lawyer advising you from the outset ensures your claim rights are preserved, and you receive the maximum recoveries possible.
No Upfront Costs – Contingency Fees
At Vaughan & Vaughan, we understand the sudden loss of income after a loved one’s death can create immense financial strain. This is why we take all wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
- We only get paid if we win your case
- You pay no upfront costs for our services
- Our fees come as a percentage of your final settlement or award
You have no financial risk in having us evaluate your claim during a free initial consultation. If we believe you have a valid case, we’ll handle it from start to finish with relentless commitment.
Let Our Family Assist Your Family
Coping with profound grief while dealing with complex legal matters is an immense burden to shoulder alone. The Hammond wrongful death attorneys at Vaughan & Vaughan are here to provide the caring guidance and dogged advocacy you need during this devastating time.
For over a century, our legal team has been a compassionate voice pursuing accountability and justice for grieving Indiana families. Our case results and testimonials speak for themselves. While we can’t undo your anguish, we will fight tirelessly to secure the maximum compensatory damages and sense of resolution you deserve.
No matter how complicated your wrongful death case may seem, we have the skills and resources to effectively champion your rights. Take the first step towards justice today by contacting us for a private, no-obligation consultation.
