Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyer

Local & Trusted Premises Liability Lawyers

If you slip and fall or trip on someone else’s property, you could be owed compensation for your injuries from that property owner. Christie Bell & Marshall in Indianapolis can help you explore your legal options. Whether you slipped in a restaurant, retail store, grocery store, hotel, hospital, apartment, or parking lot, we can help.

As a premier slip and fall law firm Indianapolis residents trust, we have decades of combined legal experience working on serious injury cases. When searching for a slip and fall lawyer near you, you need a team that understands the nuances of local ordinances and state statutes. You can trust us to handle your slip and fall case with the dedication it deserves.

Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500

Slip or Trip & Fall Hazards

Property owners owe visitors a duty of care that includes protecting them from slip and trip hazards. Before a visitor arrives on a piece of property, the owner, manager, or proprietor should inspect the area for anything that might cause someone to slip or trip. Failing to take this basic precaution could make the property owner fully liable if a visitor slips and suffers a slip and fall injury.

Commonplace hazards that can cause a serious slip and fall accident include:

• Wet floors: Few things are worse slip hazards than wet tile floors, like a freshly mopped floor in a grocery store. Property owners must ensure wet floors are marked with clear warning signs so guests do not inadvertently wander onto the wet tile.
• Loose cables: In office buildings, loose cables and wiring can create unexpectedly dangerous trip hazards.
• Uplifted carpeting: A lifted corner of carpeting can catch a person’s foot. Noticing uplifted carpeting is difficult as it blends with adjacent carpets.
• Damaged sidewalks: A cracked sidewalk is a dangerous hazard. When damaged sidewalk pieces cause someone to trip, the liable party could be a local government entity in charge of maintenance, such as the City of Indianapolis or Marion County.
• Dim lighting: The risk of stumbling increases in dimly lit areas like parking garages or stairwells.
• Uneven steps: Risers and treads need to be even. If steps are damaged, a visitor could suffer serious injuries due to negligence.

Deck Collapse and Structural Failures

Premises liability is not limited to just the floor. Our firm also acts as a deck collapse accident lawyer for victims injured by structural failures. Whether it is a rotting balcony in a rental home or a poorly maintained deck at a restaurant overlooking the White River, structural collapses can lead to catastrophic injuries. These cases often require a slip and fall attorney to investigate building code violations and maintenance records deeply.

Falling Object Accidents

Retail stores and warehouses have a duty to stack merchandise safely. If you were injured by merchandise falling from a high shelf, you need a falling object accident lawyer who understands how to prove negligence in stocking and inventory management. These incidents often result in severe head trauma and require a specialized approach distinct from a standard slip and fall lawsuit.

Our Attorneys

Tina M. Bell

Partner

Meet Lee C. Christie

Partner

Laura J. Conyers, RN

Associate

Meet Kevin P. Farrell

Of Counsel

Meet Kathy A. Lee

Retired

Meet Kyle L. Christie

Partner

Katherine M. Marshall

Partner

Christopher D. Simpkins

Partner

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Serious Injuries Caused by Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are sometimes dismissed by insurance companies as “not that serious.” They mistakenly believe people can’t get badly injured if they just fall over. Unfortunately, this is false.

Some of the most common serious injuries are caused by slip and fall accidents. If someone lands awkwardly, they could suffer a life-changing injury. We frequently see clients treated at local facilities like IU Health Methodist Hospital or Eskenazi Health for:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Back and spine injuries (Herniated discs, spinal cord damage)
• Broken bones (Hip fractures, wrist fractures)
• Soft tissue injuries (Torn ligaments, severe sprains)

If you lost a loved one to a slip and fall accident, we are here to support you. Talk to our slip and fall lawyers about a wrongful death claim to help you find closure and financial stability.

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Apartment and Residential Liability

Accidents frequently happen in rented spaces. Apartment slip and fall settlements can be complex because they often involve disputes between tenants, landlords, and property management companies. Issues often arise in common areas like clubhouses, gyms, or icy walkways. If you are injured at your apartment complex, our slip and fall attorneys can help determine if the landlord failed in their contractual or legal duty to maintain a safe environment.

Filling Out an Accident Report

After a slip and fall, it is important to notify the property owner as soon as possible. If you slipped in a commercial location, consider filling out an official accident report. This marks down details so you don’t forget them and makes it harder for the owner to deny the accident occurred.

However, do not rush. Never sign a statement admitting fault. If you have doubts, speak with a slip and fall lawyer first.

Proving Liability After a Fall

To effectively prove slip and fall liability, it’s vital to gather evidence demonstrating the property owner’s responsibility. As your trusted slip and fall attorneys, we focus on:

1. Hazard identification: Documenting the unsafe condition.
2. Owner knowledge: Establishing the owner knew or should have known about the hazard (Constructive Knowledge).
3. Failure to act: Demonstrating negligence in not addressing the hazard.
4. Causation: Linking the hazard directly to your injuries.

Indiana Slip and Fall Law: Comparative Fault

In Indiana, if you’re partially at fault, you can still recover damages under the comparative fault rule. This rule allows for compensation as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible. If you are found 30% at fault in a slip and fall case with $100,000 in damages, you would receive $70,000.

This ensures victims receive some compensation even if they contributed to the accident. Our slip and fall lawyers near you can help you determine if you have a valid case during a free consultation.

Four Basic Elements an Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyer Must Prove

To prove a case, our team must demonstrate four elements grounded in Indiana slip and fall law:

• Duty of Care: The owner was obligated to keep premises safe.
• Breach of Duty: The owner failed to uphold this duty (e.g., ignoring a spill).
• Causation: The breach directly caused the slip and fall.
• Damages: The victim suffered actual losses (medical bills, lost wages).

What is a “Reasonable” Time to Fix a Hazard?

Slip and fall law often pivots on whether the owner “should have known.” Premises liability requires owners to address hazards within a “reasonable” time.

• Situation 1: An employee knocks over juice and ignores it. A customer slips immediately. The store is likely liable because they had actual knowledge.
• Situation 2: A customer drops juice, and another customer slips seconds later. The store may not be liable as they had no time to discover the hazard.

Strict liability may sometimes apply. We can investigate your slip and fall lawsuit to see which rules apply to your specific situation.

Statute of Limitations in Indiana

It is critical to act quickly. Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this window, you may be permanently barred from recovering slip and fall settlements.

Slip & Fall Accident FAQ

What should I do if you slip and fall on ice?

What to do if you slip and fall on ice involves distinct legal challenges in Indiana regarding the “Natural Accumulation Rule.” Generally, landlords are not liable for natural snow accumulation, but they are liable if they created an artificial hazard (like a leaking gutter forming an ice patch).

1. Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health.
2. Document the Scene: Take photos of the ice. Was it salted? Was it under a dripping awning?
3. Report the Incident: Tell the property manager immediately.
4. Contact a Lawyer: Because ice cases are legally technical, contact a slip and fall attorney near you immediately.

What should I do after a slip and fall accident?

Seek urgent medical care. Report the incident to the property owner. Gather evidence (photos, witness info). Contact a slip and fall accidents law firm before speaking to insurance adjusters.

Can I file a claim if I slipped at a neighbor’s house?

Yes. You would typically file against the homeowner’s insurance policy. These claims are common, and a slip and fall lawyer Indianapolis residents trust can handle the sensitive nature of suing a neighbor’s insurance, ensuring you get coverage without ruining personal relationships.

Who is liable for an unsafe piece of city sidewalk?

This usually involves a tort claim against a government entity like the City of Indianapolis. These claims have very strict and short notice deadlines (often 180 days). You must contact a slip and fall lawyer immediately to preserve your right to sue.

Call Our Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm for Legal Help

Christie Bell & Marshall and our dedicated slip and fall lawyers are here to help you. We handle cases across Marion County, Hamilton County, Hendricks County, and throughout Indiana. Whether your case is worth $30,000 or $3 million, we will fight for the best outcome.

If you are looking for a slip and fall attorney, contact us today. We are the slip and fall law firm Indianapolis victims rely on for justice.