Slip and Fall Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
Property owners in Arizona have a duty to keep premises reasonably safe. If their negligence caused your fall, you have a right to compensation.
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Premises Liability in Arizona: What the Law Requires
Property owners — commercial and residential — have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for lawful visitors. When they fail and someone is injured, the injured person has a right to compensation. Arizona law holds owners liable when they knew or reasonably should have known about the hazardous condition.
Where Slip and Fall Cases Happen in Tempe
Tempe’s commercial and institutional density produces a consistent volume of premises liability cases. Arizona Mills Mall (5000 Arizona Mills Circle) is one of the largest outlet malls in Arizona and generates retail slip-and-fall claims from wet floors, parking structure hazards, and inadequate walkway maintenance. The Mill Avenue entertainment and dining district sees heavy pedestrian foot traffic at night with corresponding trip hazard exposure on older paving and outdoor surfaces. ASU campus facilities and surrounding commercial properties — including student housing along Apache Boulevard — also generate premises liability claims. The Tempe Marketplace at McClintock and Rio Salado Pkwy rounds out the major retail concentration with high exposure. Grocery stores and big-box retailers along Southern Avenue are another common source of commercial premises claims.
Civil claims file in Maricopa County Superior Court. Tempe Municipal Court (21 E 6th St) handles smaller claims.
Arizona Law
- ARS 12-542 — 2-year statute of limitations for premises negligence
- ARS 12-2505 — Pure comparative fault; the open-and-obvious doctrine reduces but does not eliminate recovery
Evidence Is Time-Sensitive
Surveillance footage at commercial properties is routinely overwritten within 30 days. Hazards get repaired before documentation happens. We send preservation demand letters to property owners at intake on every premises case.
What You Can Recover
- Emergency and follow-up medical bills
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages during recovery
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injury or reduced mobility
Who Pays?
Commercial property owners carry general liability insurance. Residential landlords are covered under their property liability coverage. We identify the correct carrier and make timely claims — late claims can trigger policy coverage disputes.
Our Fee Structure
Contingency fee. No recovery, no fee. No upfront costs.
Related Pages
- Tempe Car Accident Lawyer
- Tempe Dog Bite Lawyer
- Tempe Personal Injury Lawyer
- Arizona Slip and Fall Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to prove the property owner knew about the hazard?
Not necessarily. Arizona premises liability law holds owners liable when they knew OR reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition. If the hazard existed long enough that a routine inspection would have found it, the owner is responsible.
What if I was partly at fault for the fall?
Arizona follows pure comparative fault (ARS 12-2505). You can recover even if you were partly at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery. Insurers often raise the open-and-obvious doctrine to inflate your fault percentage — an attorney can counter this.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim?
2 years from the date of the fall under ARS 12-542. But surveillance footage at commercial properties is often overwritten within 30 days. Don’t wait.
What should I do immediately after a fall?
Report it to the property manager and get a copy of the incident report. Photograph the hazard before it’s cleaned up or repaired. Collect witness contact information. Seek medical attention. Do not give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurer without counsel.
Ready to Talk?
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Speak directly with Josh Wood.