Wrongful Death Suits Filed against the State of Indiana

This image is from the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Photo from abc.com

An interesting legal question might have to be answered in conjunction with the right to recover damages in the Indiana State Fair stage collapse on August 13th.

Attorney Ken Allen, a wrongful death attorney, filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of Beth Urschel whose partner, Tammy Van Dam, died as a result of the tragedy. The suit was filed August 19th. Urschel and Van Dam were wed in Hawaii. But Van Dam also has a daughter. It will be interesting to see if the courts allow Tammy’s daughter or Urschel to receive any money awarded.

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Judge Rules in Tammy Van Dam Case

LaPorte County Judge Thomas Alevizos issued a two page ruling Tuesday afternoon that gave a rather “limited preliminary injunction” in a case brought by the estate of Tammy Van Dam, and her life partner Beth Urschel. The suit brought by the lawyer for the two asked that the wreckage from the State Fair stage that collapsed be preserved.

Alevizos did though reject a request to preserve all e-mails, 911 calls and other evidence that could be destroyed.

He also criticized the attorney before him, Kenneth Allen, for saying he was seeking $50 million for the estate of Tammy Van Dam. The judge said that local court rules stipulate that no damage amounts be listed. He called the revelation of the amount a “publicity stunt” by the attorney.

Tammy Van Dam was killed, and Beth Urschel was injured when the stage collapsed before a performance of the county music duo Sugarland at the State Fair.