Premises liability refers to the responsibility of property owners to maintain safe conditions for visitors and their legal accountability when negligence leads to injuries. At Wagner Reese, LLP, our premises liability lawyers in West Lafayette will fight for fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

With over 25 years in practice and more than $300 million recovered for injured victims, we know what it takes to win. Our West Lafayette personal injury lawyers don’t believe in accepting lowball offers from insurance companies. Instead, we fight aggressively to maximize your recovery.

Premises Liability Laws in West Lafayette, IN

The Wagner Reese premises liability attorneys in West Lafayette will use the full force of law to hold the negligent parties liable for damages.

Slip and Fall Injury Law

Indiana law requires property owners to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. If someone slips or falls due to an unsafe condition that the property owner knew or should have known about, the injured party can pursue a premises liability claim.

Under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6, the state’s modified comparative fault law may apply, which means an injured person can still recover damages even if partially at fault, as long as their fault is less than 51%.

Landlord Negligence Law

Indiana landlords have a duty to provide safe living conditions for their tenants. If a landlord fails to maintain the property or correct hazardous conditions, they can be held liable for injuries sustained by tenants. Indiana Code § 32-31-8-5 specifies that landlords must comply with health and safety standards. Any breach of these duties can form the basis for a negligence claim.

Negligent Security Law

Property owners may be held liable for failing to provide adequate security measures if an individual is harmed due to criminal activity on their property. This includes areas like parking lots, apartment complexes, and other places where the property owner should reasonably foresee the need for security. Indiana law supports claims under negligent security if a failure to provide reasonable protection leads to injury.

Social Host Law

Under Indiana’s Social Host Liability laws, individuals who host events where alcohol is served may be held liable for accidents caused by intoxicated guests, particularly if they serve alcohol to minors. According to Indiana Code § 7.1-5-7-8, serving alcohol to an underage person who then causes harm or injury can result in liability for the host, even in situations where the host wasn’t directly involved in the accident.

Common Locations Where Premises Liability Accidents in West Lafayette May Occur

Some common locations where premises liability accidents may occur include:

  • Grocery Stores and Supermarkets: Slip and fall accidents due to wet floors, improperly stacked items, or other hazards can often occur in supermarkets and retail stores.
  • Apartment Complexes: Landlords may be held liable for injuries caused by unsafe stairs, broken handrails, poor lighting, or other hazardous conditions in shared areas.
  • College Campuses: Given Purdue University’s presence, areas on campus such as walkways, dormitories, and dining halls may become sites of slip and fall accidents or injuries due to improper maintenance.
  • Parking Lots and Garages: Inadequate lighting, uneven surfaces, and lack of snow/ice removal in parking areas can lead to serious slip-and-fall accidents.
  • Restaurants and Bars: Spilled drinks, cluttered walkways, or unsafe seating areas can lead to injuries. Moreover, negligent security can be a concern if a fight or brawl occurs on the premises.
  • Hotels and Lodging: Injuries in hotels can occur due to unsafe swimming pools, defective elevators, or poorly maintained walkways.
  • Shopping Malls: Malls often face issues related to wet floors, defective escalators, and inadequate security, which can lead to slip-and-fall accidents and even criminal incidents.
  • Public Parks and Recreational Areas: Poorly maintained playground equipment, uneven walkways, or lack of safety precautions can lead to injuries at local parks.
  • Concert Venues and Theaters: Slippery floors, poorly lit stairs, or overcrowded conditions can cause accidents in these entertainment venues.
  • Swimming Pools: Lack of proper fencing, lifeguards, or maintenance can result in slip and fall or drowning accidents at community or private pools.

Our Experienced Premises Liability Lawyers in West Lafayette are Ready to Fight for You

If you have been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, our West Lafayette premises liability attorneys at Wagner Reese are here to help. Discover the difference the right lawyer can make for your premises liability injury settlement or jury award when the stakes are the highest.

With an illustrious record of satisfied client reviews and over 150 years of collective experience, we have earned the trust of the community in West Lafayette. Our founding partners, Stephen Wagner and Jason Reese, have received recognition as Indiana’s Top 25 Super Lawyers® and Best Lawyers® honorees. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (866) 991-4892 or contact us online.