Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of secondary liver injury in patients with septic shock. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 336 patients with septic shock were selected as the research subjects. According to the presence or absence of secondary liver injury, the patients were divided into either the liver injury group (n=156) or the control group (without liver injury, n=180). General data, infection status, disease severity scores (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ [APACHE Ⅱ] score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA] score), laboratory indicators, complications, and prognostic indicators of the two groups were collected. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen the independent influencing factors of secondary liver injury in patients with septic shock. Results The incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, incidence of coagulation disorders, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and 30-day mortality in the liver injury group were all higher/longer than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, APACHE Ⅱ score, SOFA score, platelet count, fibrinogen (Fib) level, and D-dimer level (all P<0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased SOFA score (OR=1.358, 95% CI: 1.205-1.530) and increased D-dimer level (OR=1.044, 95% CI: 1.024-1.065) were independent risk factors for secondary liver injury in patients with septic shock; while high platelet count (OR=0.955, 95% CI: 0.992-0.998) and high Fib level (OR=0.771, 95% CI: 0.645-0.922) were independent protective factors (all P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with septic shock complicated by secondary liver injury have a worse clinical prognosis. SOFA score, platelet count, Fib level, and D-dimer level are independent influencing factors for secondary liver injury in patients with septic shock; monitoring these indicators may aid in the early identification of high-risk patients.