IN THE NEWS: EMERGENCY MEASURES INSTITUTED IN INDIANA’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM

“Judicial systems across the nation have implemented a patchwork of policies to deal with the virus, including canceling in-person hearings or requiring litigants to alert the court if they feel ill,” law.com reports. Some examples cited in the article (published of March 10, 2020) include:

New York: A key federal trial court prohibits guests who have visited affected countries from
entering its Manhattan building.
Washington: Federal courts are suspending all civil and criminal matters requiring an in-court
appearance.

California: State courts have remained open, with judges advised to stay aware of the authority
of health officials.

Most immediately affecting the work of our personal injury attorneys at Ramey & Hailey Law are the Indiana courts. The current situation in our state includes the following:

• By Governor Eric Holcomb’s executive order, state government offices, including the Indiana Statehouse and Government Center, are closed to the general public.
• All appellate oral arguments scheduled for April have been cancelled.
• All federal jury trials in the Southern District of Indiana were continued until further notice.
• The Indiana Supreme Court has approved the majority of Indiana trial court petitions to operate under emergency plans.
• In both the Northern and Southern Districts, it was determined that it is not possible to summon a pool of potential jurors and conduct a jury trial.
• Pre-trial and discovery hearings are done by counsel only.
• Counsel can appear remotely by conference call.

Given all these restrictions, what are you to do if you have been injured and need help filing a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana? How will you visit with us to plan the best strategy for gathering evidence and witness testimony? With little chance of facing a jury trial any time soon, will the defendant still feel pressure to offer a settlement?

All of these represent legitimate concerns. But your case should not need to wait. After more than forty years’ experience handling personal injury cases, not only in Indiana, but throughout the country, our attorneys are equipped to handle even today’s unique challenges. (In fact, Richard Hailey has been invited to give presentations on legal issues to law schools and professional organizations throughout the United States.)

We are living through unusual times. But if you have been injured, now is the time to get started on- or to continue – the process of helping you recover for your losses. Call 317 582 0000.