Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys

Biography
Nicholas C. Deets is a nationally recognized trial attorney and Partner at Hovde Dassow & Deets, focusing his distinguished legal career exclusively on representing plaintiffs in personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and product liability litigation. With over 80 jury trials taken to verdict, Nick is regarded as one of Indiana’s most experienced and respected trial lawyers.
He has successfully litigated and argued numerous high-profile and precedent-setting cases before both state and federal courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Notably, Nick played a key role in landmark decisions such as Cosme v. Erie Insurance (2024), which modified Indiana’s standard on directed verdicts, and Kosarko v. Padula (2012), further shaping the state’s tort law.
Nick's bar and professional affiliations are extensive. He is a past President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Indiana Chapter, and an active member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Indiana State Bar, and the Indiana Bar Foundation. His fellowships in prestigious organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Indiana College of Trial Lawyers, and Litigation Counsel of America reflect his exceptional standing in the legal profession.
Nick's excellence has been widely recognized:
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year (2010)
- Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs (2017)
- Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in: Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs (2020)
- Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2022)
- Named in Top 50 Indiana Super Lawyers annually since 2020, and in Top 10 Super Lawyers in Indiana in both 2024 and 2025
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2010 in multiple categories including Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Mass Tort Litigation
In addition to his trial accomplishments, Nick maintains a strong commitment to legal education and scholarship. He has authored and delivered impactful lectures and publications, including:
- “Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law: Practice Tips and Application”, National Business Institute
- “Effective Closing Arguments on behalf of the Plaintiff”, presented to both the Indianapolis and Allen County Bar Associations
- Scholarly articles in Verdict, covering state court venue under Indiana Trial Rule 75 and vicarious liability settlements
His commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom. Nick has engaged in meaningful pro bono service, including representation of the families of Netherlands special forces members tragically killed in Indianapolis. He also served as President of Crooked Stick Golf Club (2013–2016), reflecting his engagement in community leadership.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management (B.S.I.M.) with honors from Purdue University (1989) and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1993.
Education
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana
- J.D. - 1993
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Member, American Bar Association Moot Court Team
- Law Journal, Journal of Global Legal Studies, Managing Editor
- Purdue University
- 1989
- Honors: B.S.I.M.
Published Works
- Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law, Practice Tips and Application, National Business Institute (2007)
- Opening Statements, Indiana Trial Lawyers Annual Institute (2008)
- Effective Closing Arguments on behalf of the Plaintiff, Indianapolis Bar Association (2011)
- Partial Settlements in Cases Involving Vicarious Liability, Verdict Volume 32, No. 3 (2011)
- Partial Settlements in Cases Involving Vicarious Liability, Indiana Trial Lawyers Annual Institute (2011)
- Admissibility of Contract Terms and Policy Limits in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Trials, Indiana Trial Lawyers Annual Institute (2014)
- Effective Closing Arguments on behalf of the Plaintiff, The Allen County Bar Association (2011)
- State Court Venue under Indiana Trial Rule 75, Verdict Volume 37, No. 3 (2016)
- Employing Indiana’s Lien Reduction Statute to Maximize Your Client’s Recovery, Indiana Trial Lawyers Annual Institute (2016)
- Trial of the Wrongful Death Case – Plaintiff’s Perspective on Maximizing Damages, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (2018)
- The Care and Feeding of Experts, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (2019)
- “Ordinary Negligence v. Medical Malpractice”, Indiana Medical Malpractice Update, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (2022)
- Indiana Trial Lawyers’ Association, Annual Institute, Chair (2019)
- Maximizing Recoveries in Cases with Multiple UIM Policies, Indiana Trial Lawyers Annual Institute (2020)
- Complying with the Legal, Ethical, and Practical Issues in Discovery, Handling Blanket Objections and Privilege Logs. Verdict, Volume 40, No. 3 (2022)
- Is Your Case Ordinary Negligence or Medical Malpractice? Verdict Volume 40, No. 4 (2022)
Representative Cases
- Glover v. Allstate Insurance Co., 153 N.E.3d 1114 (Ind. 2020)
- Miller v. Patel et al., 174 N.E.3d 1061 (Ind. 2021)
- Tyus v. Indianapolis Power & Light Co., 134 N.E.3d 389 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019), trans. denied.
- NCAA v. Finnerty, 191 N.E.2d 211 (Ind. 2022)
- Cadorath Aero., LLC v. Ricks, 133 N.E.3d 782 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019)
- Campbell Hausfeld/Fetzer Co. v. Johnson, 109 N.E.2d 953 (Ind. 2018)
- Scribbles v. Wedgewood, 101 N.E.3d 844 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018), trans. denied.
- Angel Shores Mobile Home Park v. Crays, 78 N.E.3d 718 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017)
- Staples the Office Superstore, Inc. v. Wright, 95 N.E.3d 212 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017)
- ABC Radiology, P.C. v. Gearhart, 69 N.E.3d 545 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), transfer denied.
- Shelton v. Kroger Ltd. Partnership I, 58 N.E.3d 229 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016), trans. denied.
- Eads v. Turner, 44 N.E.3d 842 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)
- Inman v. State Farm Mutual Ins. Co., 981 N.E.2d 1202 (Ind. 2012)
- Kosarko v. Padula, 979 N.E.2d 144 (Ind. 2012)
- Brown-Day v. Allstate Insurance Co., 915 N.E.2d 548 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans. denied.
- Burnett v. Columbus McKinnon Corp., 405 N.Y.S.2d 405 (4th Dept. 2009)
- Barnett v. Clark, 889 N.E.2d 281 (Ind. 2008)
- Allstate Ins. Co. v. Keltner, 842 N.E.2d 879 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006)
- State Farm Ins. Co. v. C.W., 2010 WL 597930 (N.D. Ind. 2006)
- Allstate Ins. Co. v. Tozer, 298 F.Supp2d 765 (S.D. Ind. 2005)
- Jennings v. St. Vincent Hospital & Health, 832 N.E.2d 1044 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005)
- Turner v. Buske Lines Inc., 2006 WL 566108 (S.D. Ind. 2006)
- Knox v. American General Life Ins. Co., 2003 WL 22056301 (S.D. Ind. 2003)
- Kincaid v. State of Indiana, 757 N.E.2d 713 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001)
- Potts, M.D. v. Williams, 746 N.E.2d 1000 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001)
- Sales v. State of Indiana, 714 N.E.2d 1121 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999)
- Christian v. State of Indiana. 710 N.E.2d 582 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999)
Professional Associations
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, State Committee Member
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Indiana Chapter, Past President
- Indiana College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, Amicus Curiae Committee
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Indiana State Bar Association, Life Fellow
- Indiana Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
- Product Liability
- Insurance Coverage
Honors
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Indianapolis (2022)
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for: Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Indianapolis (2020)
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Indianapolis (2017)
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in: Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow and former member of State Committee
- Super Lawyers, Plaintiff's Personal Injury 2006-present, Top 10 Lawyer in Indiana (2024), Top 50 Lawyer in Indiana (2020-present)
- Best Lawyers, Plaintiff's Personal Injury 2010-present
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Indiana College of Trial Lawyers
- Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiffs Medical Malpractice 2020
- Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiffs Mass Tort and Class Action 2017
- Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff's Personal Injury 2022
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Lawyer of The Year 2010
Bar Admissions
- Indiana, 1993
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1993
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1993
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1993
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2003
Past Positions
- ICE MILLER in Indianapolis, IN, Associate, 1993 to 1995
- Coffield, Ungaretti & Harris, Chicago, IL, Clerk 1992, 1993
- Honorable Michael S. Kanne of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Clerk, 1992