On Aug. 13, 2011, the stage collapsed just moments before Sugarland was set to start the concert at the Indiana State Fair, setting off a chain of events that altered lives forever. Seven fans were killed, and nearly 100 more were injured when winds in excess of 60 MPH caused the rigging above the stage to fail, sending lighting, sound equipment and parts of the stage roof into the audience.
I represented the family of one individual who was tragically killed. He was a husband and father of two young boys working security when the stage collapsed. When a loved one is killed as a result of the negligence of another, Indiana law provides remedies to the survivors. In handling wrongful death claims, it is important to understand that the appropriate remedy and the recoverable damages in each case are dependent upon the status of the victim as well as the relationship to the persons he or she leaves behind.
Because wrongful deaths usually happen when we least expect it, many times people pass away without a will. In those instances, the estate is considered “intestate”, meaning that there’s no legal document to control the person’s assets. In such cases, the first step in pursuing the wrongful death action is to open an estate by filing a petition with the court for appointment of a personal representative. An estate is the legal term for the entity created to control the assets and debts of a person after his or her death. The petition will be assigned a case number just like any other lawsuit or matter filed in the court.
Carl Brizzi LAW is prepared to do the legwork to get the estate established. If the estate is complicated or if there are many beneficiaries, we will work with you and your family to help you through this process. Once the estate is opened, the personal representative of the estate essentially becomes the wrongful death plaintiff and acts on behalf of the estate pursuing potential damages for medical, funeral, and burial expenses, as well as, damages for loss of love and companionship. Carl Brizzi will guide you through every step up the process. Contact us today!
We Serve Counties Throughout the Entire State of Indiana Including: Marion County including Indianapolis, Lawrence, and Speedway; Hamilton County including Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville; Hancock County including Greenfield; Shelby County including Shelbyville; Johnson County including Franklin and Greenwood; Morgan County including Martinsville and Mooresville; Hendricks County including Danville; and Boone County including Lebanon and Zionsville.
