Liability for Landowner

[tynimiller]

I have a landowner that is willing to allow me to hunt...I've explained they are not liable if I am injured, and even given them a liability release form however I was nearly sure there is an IC Code or law in place in Indiana that I could show them which confirms they are not liable. True?

[morrison]

I have posted the Indiana Code below.


IC 14-22-10-2 Restrictions on landowner liability to recreational users

Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section and section 2.5 of this chapter, "governmental entity" means any of the following:

(1) The government of the United States of America.

(2) The state of Indiana.

(3) A county.

(4) A city.

(5) A town.

(6) A township.

(7) The following, if created by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Indiana, a statute, an ordinance, a rule, or an order:

(A) An agency.

(B) A board.

(C) A commission.

(D) A committee.

(E) A council.

(F) A department.

(G) A district.

(H) A public body corporate and politic.

(b) As used in this section and section 2.5 of this chapter, "monetary consideration" means a fee or other charge for permission to go upon a tract of land. The term does not include:

(1) the gratuitous sharing of game, fish, or other products of the recreational use of the land;

(2) services rendered for the purpose of wildlife management; or

(3) contributions in kind made for the purpose of wildlife management.

(c) As used in this section and section 2.5 of this chapter, "owner" means a governmental entity or another person that:

(1) has a fee interest in;

(2) is a tenant, a lessee, or an occupant of; or

(3) is in control of;

a tract of land.

(d) A person who goes upon or through the premises, including caves, of another:

(1) with or without permission; and

(2) either:

(A) without the payment of monetary consideration; or

(B) with the payment of monetary consideration directly or indirectly on the person's behalf by an agency of the state or federal government;

for the purpose of swimming, camping, hiking, sightseeing, or any other purpose (other than the purposes described in section 2.5 of this chapter) does not have an assurance that the premises are safe for the purpose.

(e) The owner of the premises does not:

(1) assume responsibility; or

(2) incur liability;

for an injury to a person or property caused by an act or failure to act of other persons using the premises.

(f) This section does not affect the following:

(1) Existing Indiana case law on the liability of owners or possessors of premises with respect to the following:

(A) Business invitees in commercial establishments.

(B) Invited guests.

(2) The attractive nuisance doctrine.

(g) This section does not excuse the owner or occupant of premises from liability for injury to a person or property caused by a malicious or an illegal act of the owner or occupant.

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-6-3.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.178-1995, SEC.3; P.L.138-1997, SEC.2; P.L.75-1998, SEC.2.


IC 14-22-10-2.5Restrictions on landowner liability to hunters, fishers, and trappers

Sec. 2.5. (a) A person who goes upon or through the premises, including caves, of another:

(1) with or without permission; and

(2) either:

(A) without the payment of monetary consideration; or

(B) with the payment of monetary consideration directly or indirectly on the person's behalf by an agency of the state or federal government;

for the purpose of hunting, fishing, trapping, or preparing to hunt, fish, or trap, does not have an assurance that the premises are safe for that purpose.

(b) The owner of the premises does not:

(1) assume responsibility; or

(2) incur liability;

for an injury to a person or property caused by an act or failure to act of other persons using the premises.

(c) This section does not affect Indiana case law on the liability of owners or possessors of premises with respect to the following:

(1) Business invitees in commercial establishments.

(2) The attractive nuisance doctrine.

(d) This section does not excuse the owner or occupant of premises from liability for injury to a person or property caused by a malicious or an illegal act of the owner or occupant.