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Stage Collapse Lawsuit to Test Gay Marriage Law

Beth Urschel suing Indiana over death of Tammy Van Dam

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2011 10:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – The tragic Indiana State Fair stage collapse could have political implications: Beth Urschel is suing the state, as well as three companies, in the death of Tammy Van Dam, whom she married in Hawaii. But since gay marriage is illegal in Indiana, the $50 million lawsuit will test the state’s treatment of same-sex couples, the Wall Street Journal notes. In Indiana, only next of kin or a spouse of the victim can benefit from a wrongful death suit.

Urschel also names Mid-America Sound Corp., which designed the stage, as well as Dave Lucas Entertainment Group and Live Nation, which her attorney says co-organized the concert, in the suit filed Friday. "Just because her spouse happens to be a woman and she happens to be a woman doesn't make it any less painful, any less egregious, and any less compensable," her attorney says. Click to read about the tragic event's 7th victim.

A patron stops and views a memorial in front of the Grandstand at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 43 comments

reddphoenix

Aug 23, 2011 6:29 PM CDT

i am sorry for all the losses, just wish it was about the poor people who loss their lives and their families, and not the next soap box for someone to spew hate from..kinda makes a life seem insignificant unless you can win a verbal debate with it. a mate is a mate...nuff said.

carson

Aug 23, 2011 6:11 PM CDT

im sorry for her loss but why not 50 trillion?

JOHNSPEAKS

Aug 23, 2011 5:42 PM CDT

Now we are going to deal with every same sex marriage scam and every sexual pervert scam and every abortion scam and every scam dealing with supposed child molestation in the Catholic Church? Sexual perversions=Scam=EVIL???

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Stage Collapse Lawsuit to Test Gay Marriage Law

Beth Urschel suing Indiana over death of Tammy Van Dam

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay marriage • Indiana • lawsuit • wrongful death • same-sex marriage • Indiana State Fair

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Target Sues Gay Rights Group

Advocates cite political move; Target says activists are hurting business

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NAACP Endorses Gay Marriage

Board equates sexual orientation, race protection under constitution

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