{"id":373303,"date":"2016-12-14T17:11:05","date_gmt":"2016-12-14T22:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-wrongful-death-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-11-03T18:44:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T23:44:44","slug":"indiana-wrongful-death-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-wrongful-death-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Wrongful Death Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana Wrongful Death Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A wrongful death claim<\/span> in Indiana<\/span> is a civil lawsuit filed when a person’s death<\/span> is caused by the wrongful act<\/span> or omission of another party. This lawsuit is often brought by the personal representative<\/span> of the deceased person’s estate<\/span> to recover damages for the benefit of surviving <\/span>family members<\/span>. Compensation can cover losses like funeral expenses<\/span>, lost<\/span> income, and the loss of the deceased’s love and companionship.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Death is a natural part of the life cycle, but that doesn’t make it any easier to lose a loved one<\/span>. It is even harder when your loved one<\/span> dies due to another person’s intentional act<\/span><\/a> or carelessness. While a wrongful death suit<\/span> won’t bring back your friend or family member<\/span>, it can help ease the financial burden you experience after their passing.<\/p>\n

If you decide to pursue an Indiana<\/span> wrongful death claim<\/span>, you should familiarize yourself with your state’s wrongful death laws<\/span>. In this article, we’ll explain how wrongful death claims<\/span><\/a> work in Indiana<\/span>, including information on who can file this type of lawsuit, the types of damages<\/span> you can demand, and how long you have to file a wrongful death claim<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you recently lost<\/span> someone in a car accident<\/span> or other incident, consider contacting a local wrongful death attorney<\/span><\/a>. They can explain how Indiana<\/span>\u2019s wrongful death laws<\/span> might apply to your unique circumstances and walk you through your options.<\/p>\n

How Indiana<\/span> Law<\/span> Defines Wrongful Death<\/h2>\n

Wrongful death claims<\/span> are similar to a personal injury<\/span> case<\/span> in that they are civil claims based on negligence or recklessness. The claim is brought by the deceased person\u2019s estate<\/span> and often represented by a family member<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Every state defines wrongful death in its own way. Indiana<\/span> has three separate statutes dealing with wrongful death.<\/p>\n