Senate Bill No. 124 Summary

• Amends Indiana Code IC 34-23-1 to allow reasonable attorney's fees as recoverable damages in general wrongful death actions when the decedent leaves a widow or widower, dependent children, or dependent next of kin.

• Attorney's fees recovered in wrongful death actions inure to the exclusive benefit of the estate and any other person who incurred the fees to bring and maintain the action.

• Establishes that in adult wrongful death actions (unmarried individuals without dependents), damages may include reasonable attorney's fees incurred for bringing and maintaining the action.

• Limits aggregate damages for loss of love and companionship in adult wrongful death actions to $300,000, with courts required to reduce jury awards exceeding this cap.

• Effective date: July 1, 2016.