NASHVILLE — The Indiana Supreme Court will convene outside the Statehouse next month for a traveling oral argument centered on utility liability following a devastating residential gas explosion.
The justices will hear arguments in Carla Miller v. Indiana Gas Company Inc. (26S-CT-190) at 10:30 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Brown County Music Center, located at 200 Maple Leaf Blvd. in Nashville.
The civil lawsuit stems from an explosion at a home neighboring plaintiff Carla Miller, who suffered injuries in the blast. A surviving resident of the destroyed home testified that she smelled no gas inside prior to the explosion. Miller subsequently filed suit against Indiana Gas Company Inc., asserting claims under negligence and the Indiana Products Liability Act.
At the core of the dispute is whether Indiana Gas properly added odorant to its natural gas—a safety measure designed to alert residents to leaks—and what legal evidence courts should consider when evaluating that issue.
The Clark Circuit Court previously granted summary judgment in favor of Indiana Gas. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling (Miller v. Ind. Gas Co., 277 N.E.3d 133), concluding that Miller had not presented sufficient evidence that the utility failed to properly odorize the gas. However, the Indiana Supreme Court granted Miller’s petition to transfer, vacating the appellate decision and assuming full jurisdiction over the case.
Public Access and Educational Outreach
As part of the court’s educational outreach initiative, the traveling argument gives regional students, media, and the public an opportunity to observe the state’s high court in action. Nearly 900 students from 11 regional high schools and academies are expected to attend, including students from Brown County, Center Grove, Columbus East, Columbus North, Edgewood, Greenwood Christian Academy, Greenwood Community, Hauser, Indian Creek, Medora, and Tabernacle Christian.
The 40-minute argument is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open for security screening at the main entrance of the Brown County Music Center, with guest parking available in the main lot west of the building.
For those unable to attend in person, the oral argument will be webcast live and archived for later viewing on the court’s website.
Event Details
- Case: Carla Miller v. Indiana Gas Company Inc. (26S-CT-190)
- Date & Time: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. EDT
- Location: Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., Nashville, IN 47448
- Admission: Free and open to the public; seating is first-come, first-served
- Accessibility: The facility is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Special accommodation requests should be directed to Sarah.Kidwell@courts.in.gov.
