Accidents can happen anywhere, but an unexpected injury while shopping can be especially frustrating. If you’ve slipped on a wet floor, tripped over a loose carpet, or been hit by falling merchandise in a store, you might be dealing with more than just physical pain. You could face costly medical bills, lost wages, and emotional stress. But did you know that stores in Indiana have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe for customers?
This blog will explore what premises liability means in Indiana, the duties of store owners, common hazards, and what steps to take after a store-related injury. We’ll also explain how Indiana’s premises liability laws can impact your claim and how consulting a store injury lawyer can protect your rights and help you secure fair compensation.

Understanding Premises Liability in Indiana
Premises liability is a legal principle that holds property owners accountable for maintaining safe conditions on their property. Under Indiana law, businesses that welcome customers onto their premises owe a duty of reasonable care to ensure that the environment is safe. When a store fails to meet this obligation and someone is injured as a result, the store can be held liable for the harm caused.
Indiana follows the modified comparative fault rule under Indiana Code § 34-20-6-1. This means that while you can still recover damages if you’re partially at fault, you cannot recover compensation if your fault exceeds 50%.
Duty of Reasonable Care for Business Invitees
As a customer, you are considered a “business invitee.” This designation requires store owners to take reasonable steps to identify and remedy potential hazards. Examples include:
- Regularly inspecting floors, aisles, and other areas for spills or debris.
- Clearly marking wet floors or areas under repair.
- Properly stacking merchandise to prevent falling items.
- Maintaining sidewalks and parking areas, especially during winter months in Indiana when ice and snow accumulate.
When stores neglect these duties, they expose themselves to potential liability for injuries that occur as a result.
Common Hazards in Indiana Stores
Indiana stores, from grocery chains like Kroger to big-box retailers like Walmart, often encounter hazards that endanger customers. Here are some hypothetical scenarios of common risks that may illustrate store negligence:
► Wet Floors – A shopper at a Kroger in Indianapolis slipped on spilled milk in an aisle. No warning signs were present, and staff failed to clean the spill promptly.
► Improperly Stacked Merchandise – A Home Depot customer suffered cuts and a concussion after improperly stacked lumber fell on them.
► Outdoor Hazards – An elderly shopper slipped and fell on an icy entrance way at Walmart after staff failed to de-ice the sidewalk.
► Cluttered Aisles – A patron at Menards tripped over unmarked construction debris left in the aisle.
► Falling Objects – A Lowe’s customer sustained a head injury after being hit by an improperly secured promotional display sign.
Contact an Indiana Premises Liability Lawyer
What to Do After an Injury on Store Premises
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident or other store-related incident in Indiana, you have the right to file a premises liability claim. Here are the steps you should follow to protect your legal rights:
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health should always be your first priority. Prompt medical care not only ensures your well-being but also establishes a clear record of your injuries, which can be vital for your claim.
2. Report the Incident to Store Management
Notify the store manager or owner immediately and request an official injury report. Make sure to get a copy of the report for your records. Failing to report the injury at the time of the incident could weaken your claim.
3. Document the Scene
Take photos of the hazard that caused your injury, such as a wet floor, debris, or icy pavement. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as they may be able to support your case.
4. Preserve Evidence
Avoid signing any documents or making statements to the store’s insurance company without consulting a store injury lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you. Similarly, refrain from posting about the accident on social media.
5. Consult a Premises Liability Lawyer
An experienced Indiana premises liability lawyer can guide you through the complex legal process of filing a premises liability claim. They can gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.
Compensation for Store Injuries
If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: Past, current, and future medical bills related to the injury.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed at work.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages to account for emotional distress, reduced quality of life, and more.
- Property Damage: If personal belongings were damaged in the accident, such as a broken phone or glasses.
How an Indiana Premises Liability Attorney Can Help
Navigating a premises liability claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with the aftermath of an injury. A skilled store accident lawyer can help by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation to prove the store’s negligence.
- Gathering critical evidence, such as maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
- Advising on Indiana’s comparative fault rule and how it applies to your case.
- Handling all legal communications and negotiations with the store’s insurers.
- Representing you in court if the claim cannot be resolved through settlement.
Indiana law imposes a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which means you have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. Acting promptly is crucial to preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
Know Your Rights and Act Today
Every business, whether it’s a small grocery store, a big-box retailer, or even a local coffee shop, has a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment for its customers. This means addressing potential hazards, such as wet floors, poorly lit areas, or uneven walkways, to prevent accidents. If you’ve been injured due to a store’s negligence, Indiana premises liability laws are in place to protect your rights and ensure accountability. These laws allow you to seek compensation for injuries caused by unsafe conditions that a business failed to address in a timely manner.
If you have been wrongly injured in or on the premises of an Indiana store, seek legal guidance right away. An experienced store injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Just be sure to act fast while evidence is still fresh and while you still have time to file a claim under Indiana’s statutes of limitations.
To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, consult Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C., today. Initial case evaluations are free of charge and we work on contingency—so we don’t charge you unless we are successful with your case.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Related Post: Your Path to a Successful Premises Liability Claim in Indiana