BREAKING: Indiana attorney Ken Nunn dies at 85, leaving a lasting mark on law and civic life
Ken Nunn, one of Indiana’s most well known personal injury lawyers, has died at the age of 85. His family confirmed his passing to us today. Nunn built a Bloomington based firm that became a fixture for injured Hoosiers seeking help. His work shaped everyday access to the civil justice system, and his voice reached far beyond the courtroom.
A fixture in Indiana courtrooms
For decades, Nunn stood for a simple promise, if you are hurt, you deserve a fair shot. He built his practice on contingency fees, which meant clients paid only if they won. That model opened courtroom doors to thousands who could not afford hourly fees. It also demanded strong case work from day one.
Nunn’s law office became one of the most recognizable plaintiff firms in the state. He focused on car and truck crashes, wrongful death, and other injury claims. He was a constant presence in a system that can feel confusing and slow. His message was plain. Indiana law protects your right to seek compensation. Use it.
Attorneys across the state reached out today to share respect for his craft. Many called him a mentor. Clients described him as direct, driven, and fiercely loyal to injured families.
What his passing means for clients and cases
Nunn’s death will not erase client rights or open cases. In Indiana, firms must protect active files and notify clients. Courts can appoint a trustee if needed to safeguard client interests. The attorney client relationship continues with the firm and its designated lawyers, subject to client choice. Deadlines do not pause.
If you are a current or former client, focus on these steps:
- Watch for official notices from the firm about your case and your file.
- Confirm who is handling your matter and how to reach them.
- Ask for a written plan for deadlines and hearings.
- Keep copies of medical records, bills, and all letters.
Indiana’s statute of limitations for most injury claims is two years. Claims against a city or county require notice within 180 days. Claims against the State require notice within 270 days. Missing these cutoffs can end a case.
Nunn trained teams to move fast on evidence, insurance coverage, and negotiation. That approach should guide transitions now. Judges can grant reasonable scheduling relief, but they will expect diligence. Clients keep the right to pick counsel, to see their file, and to control settlement decisions.
A voice on policy and access to justice
Nunn practiced in a state with clear rules that shape results. Indiana follows comparative fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, your award is reduced by your share. That makes early investigation vital.
Punitive damages are capped in Indiana. The ceiling is three times compensatory damages or a set amount, whichever is lower. Most of any punitive award goes to a state fund, not the plaintiff. Medical malpractice has its own cap and process. Nunn worked within these limits and pushed cases to verdict when needed. He helped everyday people understand the civil jury’s role and why evidence wins.
He also embraced legal advertising under modern ethics rules. That choice mattered. It told injured workers, drivers, and families that their rights were real, not just words in a statute. In a practical sense, it made the justice system visible on weeknights and weekends.
Citizen rights in focus
Your rights after an injury do not depend on fame or wealth. They depend on prompt action and clear proof. Report the crash or incident. Get medical care. Save photos, names, and policy numbers. Do not guess about fault. Indiana law gives you the right to hire a lawyer, to refuse early low offers, and to present your case to a jury.
If your claim involves a government agency, a special notice must be filed on time. If an insurer calls, you can ask to speak later and consult counsel first. If a loved one dies because of negligence, a wrongful death claim may be available. Damages and deadlines depend on the person’s age, status, and dependents.
Beware unsolicited calls or messages asking for signatures or payments. Verify the sender. Call the firm directly using a known number. Your file, your privacy, and your decisions remain yours.
The road ahead
Ken Nunn’s death closes a chapter in Indiana law, but his imprint will last. He changed how injury cases are explained, staffed, and tried. He showed that plain language can carry the day with juries and with clients who need answers, not lectures. The legal community now turns to the practical work of protecting clients and honoring open obligations.
For injured Hoosiers, the lesson is steady. Rights exist to be used. Deadlines matter. Evidence decides outcomes. And the courthouse belongs to you.
Tonight, Indiana’s bar and the families he served share a simple tribute. A lawyer’s highest duty is to stand up for someone who cannot stand alone. Ken Nunn made a career of that duty. May his memory be a guide and a charge. 🕯️
