How Our Carmel Wrongful Death Lawyers Support Families Through the Legal Process

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct is a devastating experience, often leaving families feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the next steps. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we understand that no legal action can replace the person you’ve lost, but pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide meaningful accountability and essential financial security as you begin to heal. 

A wrongful death lawyer can guide you compassionately through each stage of the process, prioritizing your needs and ensuring you have clarity and support at every turn. Here’s specifically how we help families navigate wrongful death claims:

  • Thorough case review: Our Carmel personal injury attorneys take the time to deeply understand the circumstances of your loved one’s death, identifying exactly how negligence or misconduct contributed to the tragedy.
  • Gathering crucial evidence: We meticulously compile medical records, accident reports, expert testimony, and witness statements to build a robust and undeniable case for liability.
  • Identifying all responsible parties: We proactively pursue every individual, company, or institution whose actions or failures played a part in your loved one’s passing, ensuring comprehensive accountability.
  • Handling insurance companies: Our firm aggressively negotiates with insurers, pushing back against tactics intended to diminish your claim’s value and ensuring you’re treated fairly.
  • Fighting for fairness in court: If settlement negotiations don’t result in a just outcome, we’re fully prepared to present your story compellingly to a jury, clearly illustrating the magnitude of your family’s loss.

With decades of experience and a proven history of achieving meaningful outcomes in complex wrongful death cases, Christie Farrell Lee & Bell stands committed to helping families across Indiana secure justice and the resources they need to move forward. 

We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing, confident that your loved one’s memory and your family’s rights are fiercely protected.

Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500

Who Is Entitled to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Indiana?

For any deceased adult, Indiana Code § 34-23-1 mandates that only the personal representative of the estate can file the claim. This person acts on behalf of the estate and any surviving spouse, children, or dependents who may be entitled to damages. 

The personal representative of the state is typically named in the decedent’s will. If no will exists, the court appoints a personal representative, often a close family member.

In cases involving the death of a child, both parents can file together (if they’re married or share custody). If the parents are divorced, the parent with legal custody has the right to file the claim. Alternatively, if the parents are deceased or have had their parental rights terminated, the child’s legal guardian may file the lawsuit.

In some cases, a survival action may also apply, which seeks damages for the pain and suffering or expenses incurred by the deceased before death. 

You can schedule a free consultation with us to learn more about the difference between Indiana survival actions vs. wrongful death and how we can help you determine a potential path forward.

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Damages Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Claim

Our attorneys carefully evaluate both tangible economic losses and the deep emotional toll, ensuring insurers and juries fully appreciate the gravity of your loss. In Indiana, wrongful death claims can include several categories of compensation:

  • Loss of financial support: Compensation for the income and benefits the deceased would’ve provided to their spouse, children, or other dependents.
  • Funeral and burial expenses: Reimbursement for reasonable costs related to funeral services, cremation, or burial.
  • Loss of companionship and guidance: Compensation for the emotional impact and loss of love, care, and parental guidance experienced by close family members.
  • Medical expenses before death: Coverage for hospital bills, treatments, or emergency care the deceased received before passing.
  • Pain and suffering: Damages may be awarded for the physical pain and emotional distress the person experienced before death.

At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we go beyond surface-level calculations to demonstrate the real human impact behind each category of damages. 

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What to Expect from a Wrongful Death Claim in Indiana

Wrongful death claims often take between one and two years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case and whether litigation becomes necessary. While many claims are resolved through negotiated settlements, some proceed to trial if the parties can’t reach a fair agreement.

Also, damages depend on whether the decedent was a child, an unmarried adult with no dependents, or a married adult or parent. For example:

  • For unmarried adults without dependents, damages for loss of companionship are capped at $300,000, and loss of earnings cannot be claimed.
  • For adults with dependents, there is no cap on damages for lost income, medical expenses, and loss of companionship.
  • For deceased children, parents may recover medical costs, funeral expenses, and loss of love and companionship.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Indiana

Wrongful death can occur in any situation where a person’s life is cut short due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or failure to act. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we approach every case with the seriousness it deserves, because behind every legal claim is a grieving family seeking answers, accountability, and a path forward. 

Some of the most common wrongful death scenarios we handle in Carmel and across Indiana include:

No matter the cause, your wrongful death lawyer can investigate thoroughly, identify every liable party, and build a case that seeks full accountability. Our goal is to hold the right parties accountable and secure the outcome your family needs to move forward.

How a Lawyer Helps You Prove Wrongful Death and Maximize Compensation

Wrongful death cases require clear evidence of negligence, causation, and the value of your loss. Our team follows a structured approach to building every case:

Investigating Liability

Investigating liability starts with determining whether the death is considered wrongful, meaning whether it resulted from another party’s negligence (such as a driver, doctor, or property owner failing to act responsibly). 

The team at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell focuses on gathering records, witness statements, and expert input to establish fault and support your claim under Indiana’s wrongful death laws.

Calculating Damages

Calculating damages starts with understanding the full scope of what the family has lost. That includes not just medical bills or funeral costs, but also the income the person would’ve earned and the day-to-day support they provided. In many cases, economic data and expert testimony help put real numbers to those losses.

Managing the Legal Timeline

Every wrongful death case in Indiana is bound by a two-year statute of limitations, but the legal process often involves many more deadlines along the way. Early legal help allows us to preserve evidence and avoid delays that weaken your case.

Contact a Carmel Wrongful Death Lawyer for Compassionate Legal Support

If you believe your loved one’s death was preventable, we invite you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation. There’s no cost to speak with an attorney from our team, and no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.