Phoenix Slip and Fall Lawyers

What Is Premises Liability in Arizona?

Premises liability holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their property. In Arizona, anyone who owns, leases, or controls property has a legal duty to keep it reasonably safe. When an owner fails to maintain safe conditions or warn of a known hazard, and someone is injured, the owner can be held liable.

Property Owner Duties: Invitees, Licensees, and Trespassers

Arizona is one of the states that still uses the traditional classification system to determine the level of care a property owner owes. The duty of care depends on why you were on the property:

Common Locations for Slip and Fall Accidents in Phoenix

Slip-and-fall accidents happen anywhere, but certain locations see a disproportionate share:

• Grocery stores and supermarkets — Produce spills, wet floors near freezer cases
• Restaurants and bars — Grease, spilled drinks, wet restroom floors
• Shopping malls and retail stores — Cluttered aisles, escalator transitions
• Parking lots and garages — Potholes, uneven pavement, inadequate lighting
• Apartment complexes — Broken stairs, missing handrails, unlit walkways
• Office buildings — Worn carpet, loose floor tiles, wet lobby floors
• Sidewalks and public walkways — Cracked concrete, tree root upheaval, construction debris

Common Hazards That Cause Slip and Fall Injuries

• Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
• Uneven surfaces, broken tile, or buckled carpet
• Poor lighting in stairways, hallways, and parking areas
• Broken or missing stairs and handrails
• Cluttered or obstructed walkways and aisles
• Standing water, debris, or loose mats without non-slip backing

Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls may look minor, but the injuries they cause are often severe:

• Broken bones — Wrist, ankle, and hip fractures are among the most common
• Hip fractures — Especially dangerous for older adults, often requiring surgery and long rehabilitation
• Traumatic brain injuries — Hitting your head on a hard surface can cause concussions or more severe brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries — A fall can damage vertebrae and the spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis. Learn more →
• Soft-tissue injuries — Sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and herniated discs
• Shoulder and knee injuries — Rotator cuff tears, ACL tears, and dislocations

Proving a Slip and Fall Claim in Arizona

To win a premises liability case, you generally need to prove three things:

1. The owner knew or should have known about the hazard. Evidence that it existed long enough for a reasonable inspection to discover it (“constructive notice”) or that the owner was directly informed (“actual notice”) can establish this.
2. The owner failed to fix or warn. If the owner knew about a spill and did nothing — no cleanup, no warning sign — that is a breach of the duty of care.
3. The hazard caused your injury. You must connect the unsafe condition to your fall and resulting injuries.

Property owners often argue the hazard was “open and obvious.” An experienced slip and fall lawyer knows how to counter these defenses.

Types of Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims

If a property owner’s negligence caused your fall, you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses — Emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy
• Future medical costs — Ongoing treatment and long-term rehabilitation
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity — Income missed during recovery and diminished future earnings
• Pain and suffering — Physical pain and loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability and disfigurement — Permanent impairments from fractures, spinal injuries, or brain trauma
• Home care and assistance — Costs of in-home help during recovery

Evidence to Preserve After a Slip and Fall

Slip-and-fall cases live and die on evidence. Take these steps as soon as possible:

• Photograph and video the scene — Capture the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area from multiple angles.
• Request an incident report — Ask the store or property manager to create a written report and give you a copy.
• Get witness information — Names and contact information of anyone who saw the fall.
• Keep the shoes you were wearing — Insurance companies often blame footwear. Preserve your shoes as evidence.
• Seek medical treatment immediately — Delays give insurers ammunition to argue your injuries were not serious.
• Save all medical records and bills — Document every doctor visit, prescription, and therapy session.
• Do not post on social media — Adjusters monitor social media for posts that could undermine your claim.