Indiana Stage Collapse Lawsuit Tests Legal Benefits of Same-Sex Union
September 29, 2011
The tragic collapse of a stage in Indianapolis, Indiana, last month continues to create additional messes.
Among them: A Chicago woman whose legal partner died in the stage collapse filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking damages earlier this week.
The Illinois couple made their relationship official this past summer, reports The Chicago Tribune, and the surviving partner’s lawsuit will test the legal benefits of that law in the neighboring state of Indiana.
“The lawsuit highlights a new wrinkle caused by the patchwork of laws on the rights of gay and lesbian couples to marry or form civil unions,” writes The Tribune.
The woman’s attorney told The Tribune, “It’s egregious that in Illinois, and other states, your union is recognized and you are treated with some measure of equality. And you travel across the border and become a nonperson.”
TheIndyChannel.com reports that 45 tort claims have been filed thus far in connection with the horrific stage collapse, which killed five people and injured dozens more just prior to what was to have been a Sugarland concert at the Indiana State Fairground on August 13.
Officials have capped the maximum liability at $5 million per event or $700,000 per person—figures that are drawing complaint from many victims and their lawyers. One attorney filed a lawsuit against the state this week, alleging that the $5 million dollar cap violates both the U.S. and Indiana state constitution.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an Indiana injury or accident, the Indiana lawyers at Woods and Woods can help.
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