Legal research for Indiana law firms - Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville and South Bend
By LegiMatch Research Team · Published October 16, 2026 · 2 min read
Short answer: Indiana research starts with the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals. Federal matters go to 2 federal districts and then the Seventh Circuit in Chicago. Negligence claims are governed by modified comparative fault (51% bar).
Indiana's courts
| Court | Role |
|---|---|
| Indiana Supreme Court | Highest court; binds every Indiana court |
| Indiana Court of Appeals | Most appeals, statewide |
| Indiana Tax Court | Tax appeals |
| Trial courts | Circuit and superior courts |
Research notes
Indiana Court of Appeals panels aren't bound by other panels' decisions, so conflicting lines of authority can exist until the Supreme Court grants transfer. Check whether transfer was sought or granted in any Court of Appeals case you rely on, and check Appellate Rule 65 before citing a memorandum decision.
Fault rule for personal injury
Indiana applies modified comparative fault (51% bar): a plaintiff recovers, reduced by their share of fault, as long as their fault isn't greater than the defendants'.
Federal courts in Indiana
| District | Main cities |
|---|---|
| Northern District | South Bend, Fort Wayne, Hammond, Lafayette |
| Southern District | Indianapolis, Evansville, New Albany, Terre Haute |
Appeals go to the Seventh Circuit in Chicago.
Where to find decisions and statutes
The regional reporter for Indiana is N.E.3d. Statutory research runs through the Indiana Code (iga.in.gov); confirm the effective date of any section you rely on.
A research example
- Start from the facts. "An Indianapolis warehouse worker was fired a week after filing a workers' compensation claim for a back injury. The employer cites a missed shift."
- Prefer Indiana's highest court, then published appellate decisions closest to your facts.
- Check the retaliatory discharge exception recognized in Frampton v. Central Indiana Gas Co. and later Indiana decisions, and confirm each case is still good law.
LegiMatch can shorten that search: describe the matter or upload the complaint, then review up to 100 similar decisions with a visible match score and a link to each opinion. It supports your judgment rather than replacing it.
More states: courts in every major US city.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indiana Court of Appeals panels bound by each other?
No. One panel may disagree with another; the Indiana Supreme Court resolves conflicts on transfer.
What negligence rule does Indiana use?
Under the Comparative Fault Act, a plaintiff recovers if their fault isn't greater than the fault of all others, with damages reduced. Claims against government entities follow different rules.
Which federal circuit covers Indiana?
The Seventh Circuit, which sits in Chicago.
Sources
- Indiana court system and legislature websites
- United States Courts, court locator (uscourts.gov)
This article is general information about legal research, not legal advice. Verify every authority before relying on it.
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