Indianapolis Autonomous Technology Attorneys

Indianapolis: The Manufacturing Automation Capital

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Indianapolis sits at the heart of America’s manufacturing heartland. Indiana has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation—2.04 times the national average—and the Indianapolis metro area is ground zero for this industrial powerhouse. From Eli Lilly’s $13 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion to Allison Transmission’s advanced automotive operations and Rolls-Royce’s aerospace production, the region combines traditional manufacturing muscle with cutting-edge automation and robotics.

Why Indianapolis is Unique for Automation Injury Claims

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Nation’s Manufacturing Leader

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Indiana’s manufacturing dominance creates unparalleled robotics exposure:

• Manufacturing accounts for 10.1% of Indianapolis-area employment
• Indiana has 2.04 times the national average manufacturing concentration
• 45% of Indiana manufacturers expect skilled jobs to increase due to advanced tech and automation
• Only 12% of manufacturers report automation eliminating jobs—indicating high automation density alongside workers
• Major employers: Eli Lilly, Allison Transmission, Rolls-Royce North America, Roche Diagnostics

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub

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Eli Lilly’s massive Indianapolis presence creates unique pharmaceutical automation exposure:

• $13 billion investment in new manufacturing capacity in Boone County
• $400 million investment in Lilly Technology Center campus with advanced robotics and automation
• Active ingredient production, syringe filling, device assembly, and packaging operations
• New Manufacturing Innovation Training Center at 16 Tech focusing on robotic workcells and smart factory systems
• Growing pharmaceutical device manufacturing with high levels of automation

Logistics and Warehouse Automation

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Central Indiana’s logistics infrastructure drives robotics deployment:

• Amazon fulfillment centers throughout the region, including the advanced Greenwood same-day facility
• 1 million+ square foot facilities in Greenfield and Elkhart featuring advanced robotics
• Robots like Robin, Hercules, Pegasus, and Xanthus working alongside human employees
• Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) transporting items throughout warehouse facilities
• Hundreds of robots operating in fenced areas alongside workers

Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing

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Heavy manufacturing creates traditional robotics exposure:

• Allison Transmission — Advanced transmission manufacturing with robotic assembly
• Rolls-Royce North America — Aerospace engine production
• Allegion — Security products manufacturing
• Regional suppliers supporting automotive and aerospace OEMs
• Robotic welding, material handling, and assembly systems

Indiana Legal Framework

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Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar)

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Indiana uses modified comparative fault:

• You can recover damages only if you’re 50% or less at fault
• If you’re 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing
• Recovery reduced by your percentage of fault
• Fault allocation critical in manufacturing injury cases

Practical Implication: Defense attorneys will argue injured workers failed to follow safety procedures or ignored warnings. Strong evidence establishing the autonomous system’s primary role is essential.

Indiana Product Liability Act (IPLA)

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The Indiana Product Liability Act provides the framework for automation injury claims:

Causes of Action Under IPLA:

• Manufacturing defects
• Design defects
• Failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions
• Nonconformance with express representations

Key IPLA Provisions:

• Applies to all claims by users or consumers against manufacturers or sellers for physical harm
• Covers claims regardless of legal theory (strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty)
• Manufacturer liability for defects existing at time product left control
• Sophisticated user defense may apply in workplace settings

Statute of Limitations

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Statute of Repose

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Indiana has a 10-year statute of repose for product liability:

• Claims barred 10 years after delivery of product to initial user or consumer
• If cause of action accrues 8-10 years after delivery, you have 2 years from accrual
• Important for older manufacturing equipment
• Software updates may affect the analysis for autonomous systems

Damage Considerations

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Compensatory Damages: Indiana permits recovery of economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering) without statutory caps in most product liability cases.

Punitive Damages: Available in cases of clear and convincing evidence of malice, fraud, or gross negligence. Subject to procedural requirements.

Joint and Several Liability: Indiana has modified joint and several liability. Defendants may be held jointly liable for economic damages under certain circumstances.

Common Case Types in Indianapolis

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Industrial Manufacturing Injuries

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Indianapolis’s manufacturing dominance generates significant robotics cases:

Pharmaceutical Production Injuries

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Eli Lilly’s operations and the broader pharmaceutical sector create specialized cases:

• Automated syringe filling system malfunctions
• Robotic device assembly incidents
• Chemical handling automation failures
• Cleanroom robot injuries
• Active ingredient production automation

Warehouse and Logistics Incidents

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Amazon and regional distribution create exposure:

• Autonomous mobile robot collisions
• Robotic arm injuries during pick-and-pack operations
• Automated conveyor system accidents
• Collaborative robot (cobot) incidents
• Automated guided vehicle (AGV) collisions

Automotive Parts Manufacturing

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The region’s automotive supply chain generates cases:

• Robotic welding injuries
• Die casting automation incidents
• Stamping press automation failures
• Material handling robot collisions
• Quality inspection system malfunctions

Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims

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Indiana’s Dual Recovery System

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Indiana allows injured workers to pursue both workers’ compensation and third-party claims:

Workers’ Compensation:

• No-fault system providing immediate benefits
• Covers medical expenses and partial wage replacement
• Exclusive remedy against your employer
• Does not require proving negligence

Third-Party Product Liability:

• Claims against robot manufacturers, integrators, and component suppliers
• Not barred by workers’ compensation exclusivity
• Recovers damages not available under workers’ comp (pain and suffering, full lost wages)
• May result in several times greater recovery than workers’ comp alone

Dual Capacity Doctrine

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Indiana recognizes claims where an employer acts in multiple capacities:

• Employer-manufacturer situations
• Employer-premises owner situations
• May expand recovery options in certain manufacturing contexts

Marion County Court System

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Marion Superior Court

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Most Indianapolis autonomous technology cases file in Marion Superior Court:

Civil Division:

• Multiple civil divisions handling personal injury and product liability
• Mediation required prior to trial in civil matters
• Case management procedures for complex litigation
• Discovery protocols for electronic evidence and data

Filing Considerations:

• Initial filing in Civil Division
• Complex cases may receive special attention
• Local rules require mediation before trial
• Online case access via mycase.IN.gov

Federal Courts

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Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis):

• Handles diversity jurisdiction cases (amount over $75,000, parties from different states)
• Claims against out-of-state robot manufacturers often filed here
• Experienced with product liability and technology disputes
• MDL experience with complex product cases

When Federal Court Applies:

• Claims against out-of-state manufacturers (FANUC, ABB, KUKA)
• Cases exceeding diversity threshold
• Claims involving federal safety regulations (OSHA, FDA)

Marion County Jury Considerations

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Marion County juries are generally considered:

• Representative of Indianapolis’s diverse population
• Familiar with manufacturing given regional industry presence
• Willing to hold corporations accountable when negligence is clear
• Reasonable in damage assessments
• Influenced by strong union presence in manufacturing

Evidence Considerations for Indianapolis Cases

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Manufacturing and Industrial Records

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For workplace robotics cases, document and preserve:

• OSHA inspection and citation records
• Employer safety training documentation
• Robot maintenance and calibration logs
• Safety interlock system records
• Prior incident reports and near-miss documentation
• Lockout/tagout procedure compliance records

Pharmaceutical Industry Records

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For pharmaceutical manufacturing cases:

• FDA inspection records and 483 observations
• cGMP compliance documentation
• Equipment validation records
• Batch production records
• Deviation and investigation reports
• Training qualification records

Warehouse Automation Data

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For logistics and distribution cases:

• Robot operational logs and error codes
• Facility safety inspection records
• Training records for robot interaction
• Prior collision or incident reports
• Video surveillance footage
• Maintenance and software update records

Indianapolis Attorney Network

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Our network includes Indianapolis attorneys with experience in:

Manufacturing Automation

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• Industrial robot injuries
• Robotic welding and assembly incidents
• Material handling automation
• Press and die automation
• Conveyor system accidents

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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• Production line automation injuries
• Cleanroom robot incidents
• Packaging system accidents
• Device assembly automation
• Quality control system failures

Warehouse and Logistics

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• Amazon fulfillment center injuries
• Autonomous mobile robot collisions
• Pick-and-pack automation incidents
• Automated conveyor injuries
• AGV and AMR accidents

Third-Party Product Liability

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• Workers’ compensation coordination
• Manufacturer liability claims
• System integrator claims
• Component supplier claims
• Subrogation negotiation

Frequently Asked Questions

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Connect with Indianapolis Attorneys

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