A disaster that injures many people at once creates widespread confusion and pain in the community. These mass casualty incidents leave victims and their families facing serious injuries and an uncertain future. If you were harmed in a large-scale accident in Indianapolis or elsewhere in Indiana, call an Indianapolis mass casualty lawyer in our personal injury law firm. With a proven track record spanning decades, we can provide the legal services you need.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Mass Casualty Accident in Indianapolis?
What Is a Mass Casualty Incident?
A mass casualty incident is a catastrophic event—human-caused or natural disaster—where the number of injured people overwhelms local emergency services and hospitals. The sheer volume of victims exceeds the capacity of disaster response teams to provide immediate medical aid to everyone in need.
These tragedies can occur in many forms, including:
- Mass shootings: in 2023, Indiana was ranked 17th in the U.S. for firearm deaths, with shooting victims being the #1 cause of death in children in the state
- Major transportation accidents: multi-car pile-ups on I-465, bus crashes, or train derailments
- Structural collapses: failures at construction sites, aging buildings, or public venues (like arenas and stadiums)
- Incidents at public gatherings: fires, explosions, or crowd surges at concerts, festivals, or sporting events
- Industrial accidents: chemical spills or explosions at factories, plants, or warehouses
What Causes Mass Casualties Indiana?
Common Injuries in Mass Casualty Events
The chaotic nature of a mass casualty incident often leads to severe and life-altering injuries. Because immediate medical attention may be delayed, the harm can be even more significant.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, internal bleeding, multiple fractures, burns, amputations, and lasting psychological trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Documenting your injuries and medical bills creates essential evidence for your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Mass Casualty Incident?
Liability after a large-scale disaster is often shared, so a thorough investigation is needed to identify all negligent parties. In Indiana, this can include individuals, companies, property owners, contractors, manufacturers, and government entities.
- Negligent individuals or companies can include a reckless driver, a trucking company providing inadequate equipment or driver training, or an event organizer.
- Property owners can be of commercial properties, apartment buildings, or event venues.
- Contractors and engineers can include a construction company or an architect.
- Product manufacturers may be held liable, including (in some states) gun manufacturers.
- In some situations, a government body could also be at fault. This might be a state agency like the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) or a local entity like the City of Indianapolis. Filing a claim against a government entity in Indiana involves specific rules and tight deadlines.
Compensation Available for Victims in Indiana
If you were injured in a mass casualty event, you can pursue economic and non-economic damages.
Compensation may include medical expenses for past and future care, lost income and reduced earning capacity, and damages for pain and suffering. In other claims (such as a claim for a lost loved one from a fatality), you may be able to recover wrongful death benefits for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of the decedent’s love and companionship.
An attorney can evaluate your case to determine the best route for delivering justice and recovering losses.
Important Indiana Laws That Govern Mass Casualty Events
In Indiana, laws relating to mass casualty events include strict deadlines that limit the time you have to file a personal injury claim and more.
Statute of Limitations
For most personal injury cases in Indiana, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4). The same two-year deadline also applies to most wrongful death claims when survivors file a claim for a loved one who was killed.
Comparative Fault
Indiana follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. You can recover damages as long as you are not found to be more than 50% at fault for the incident. Your compensation, however, will be reduced by your percentage of fault (Indiana Code § 34-51-2-5).
Claims Against Government Entities
Special rules apply when a plaintiff sues a government body; notice of a claim against a state or local government entity must generally be filed within 180 days of the loss (Indiana Code § 34-13-3-8).
Damage Limitations
Indiana law includes caps on certain types of damages (for example, punitive damages and damages in medical malpractice cases).
Dram Shop Law
Indiana’s Dram Shop Act (Indiana Code § 7.1-5-10-15.5) allows a person injured by a visibly intoxicated person to hold the alcohol vendor liable.
How a Mass Casualty Lawyer Can Help
After a catastrophic event, you should not have to face the legal process alone. Seek counsel from our law office, which can manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on your recovery. We will investigate the incident, gather evidence, consult expert witnesses, identify all liable parties, and handle all communications with insurance companies for our clients.
Our law practice is prepared to negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all of your losses. If the defense insurance company refuses to offer what you deserve, our trial experience will come into play as we pursue litigation in court.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation and for legal assistance from a member of our legal team. We can review the details of what happened, explain your legal rights under Indiana law, and help you determine the best path forward.
(312) 223-1700