Phoenix slip and fall lawyer guide: who is responsible and how long you have

Last checked November 8, 2026

You generally have 2 years to sue over a fall in Phoenix.1 If you fell on city property, a claim is due in 180 days at the City Clerk.2 Phoenix code puts sidewalk repair on the owner or lessee of the lot next to it.3 Report a lifted sidewalk at 602-262-6441.4

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Road map of Phoenix marking 200 W. Washington Street, where claims for falls on city property are filed with the City Clerk
Fell on Phoenix city property? You may have only 180 days to claim. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Who is responsible for a slip and fall in Phoenix?

It depends on who controls the place where you fell. Pick the row that fits.

Where you fellWho to look atYour deadline
Store, restaurant or private businessThe business or the property owner2 years to sue1
Apartment stairs, walkways, pool areaThe landlord, who must keep shared areas clean and safe52 years to sue1
Phoenix sidewalkThe owner or lessee of the lot next to it must keep it in repair32 years for a private party, 180 days if the city may be responsible2
City building or Sky HarborThe City of Phoenix, which runs the airport through its Aviation Department6180 days to claim2
Valley Metro station or vehicleThe Valley Metro company that runs that service7180 days to claim8
Free recreation landThe owner is liable only for willful, malicious or grossly negligent conduct9Ask a lawyer early

If you were trespassing, the owner only had to avoid hurting you on purpose or through reckless conduct.10

Who pays if you trip on a broken sidewalk in Phoenix?

Phoenix code gives the duty to keep a sidewalk in repair to whoever owns or leases the lot beside it.3 When a sidewalk becomes defective, the Street Transportation Director is supposed to notify that owner to fix it, or the city can repair it and charge the owner.11

Who must pay for your injury is a separate question, and it can involve the owner, the tenant and the city together. Because you may not know the answer for months, treat 180 days as your working deadline for anything that could involve the city.12 Then a lawsuit against a public agency has to be filed within one year.13

Report the broken spot too. For a lifted or cracked sidewalk, Phoenix says to call 602-262-6441, not to use the online form.4 Take your own photos first, with a shoe or a tape measure in the picture to show the height of the lip.

What if you fell at Phoenix Sky Harbor?

Tell someone before you leave the airport. In an emergency, contact Airport Emergency Services at 602-273-3311.14 For a safety hazard or incident, the airport's Safety team takes reports at [email protected] or 602-495-SAFE.15 Note the terminal, the gate or door number and the time, and photograph the floor. A shop or restaurant inside the terminal may be run by a private company, so write down its name.

What if you were hurt getting on a Phoenix bus or light rail?

Tell the driver or a Valley Metro employee, or call Customer Service at (602) 253-5000.16 On light rail, use the Alert VM app, a security officer or an emergency call button.17 Your claim needs the right company name, because Valley Metro is only a brand.7 Claims go to Risk Management at 101 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 1300.18

What proof do you need for a slip and fall claim in Phoenix?

  1. Photograph the spill, the crack or the broken step before anyone cleans it. Include any wet floor sign, or show there was none.
  2. Keep your shoes and clothes as they were.
  3. Ask for an incident report at the business and take a copy or a photo of it.
  4. Get names and numbers from anyone who saw you fall.
  5. Ask the manager in writing to save camera video from that day. Stores can record over it quickly.
  6. Get medical care and keep the records. Valleywise Release of Information is (602) 344-5266.19 Banner uses MRO Patient Central.20

Can you still have a Phoenix fall claim if you were looking at your phone?

Possibly. Expect the insurer to say you should have seen it. Arizona reduces your money by your share of the blame and does not end the claim because you share it.21 The real fight is often about whether the owner knew, or should have known, about the danger in time to fix it.

Where would a Phoenix slip and fall case be heard?

A small case can go to justice court, which handles civil suits up to $10,000.22 You cannot use small claims against the state or a city.23 Larger disputes under $50,000 in Superior Court go to arbitration first.24 A Phoenix slip and fall lawyer can tell you which one fits, and whether your fall is worth a claim at all.

Questions

How long do I have to sue for a slip and fall in Phoenix?

Generally 2 years.1 If you fell on city, county or state property, you must file a claim within 180 days.25

Who fixes broken sidewalks in Phoenix?

City code gives that duty to the owner or lessee of the lot next to the sidewalk.3 Report one at 602-262-6441.4

Can I sue the City of Phoenix for a fall?

Only after filing a claim with the City Clerk within 180 days.2 You cannot use small claims against a city.23

Do I need a lawyer for a fall at a Phoenix store?

Not always. It is worth asking one if you were badly hurt, needed surgery or the store denies it happened.

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Phoenix

Slip and fall

Arizona

Sources

  1. A.R.S. § 12-542(1), checked 2026-11-08. “there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For injuries done to the person of another”
  2. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “Be filed with the City Clerk Department within 180 days after the cause of action accrues,”
  3. Phoenix City Code 31-54, checked 2026-11-08. “It shall be the duty of the owner or the lessee of any lot or parcel abutting upon any sidewalk now or hereafter constructed in the City to keep and maintain such sidewalk in repair.”
  4. City of Phoenix, myPHX311 Street Maintenance, checked 2026-11-08. “please call 602-262-6441”
  5. A.R.S. § 33-1324(A)(3), checked 2026-11-08. “Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition.”
  6. Phoenix Sky Harbor, Ride Share, checked 2026-11-08. “City of Phoenix Aviation Department 2485 E. Buckeye Road Phoenix, AZ 85034”
  7. Valley Metro, Notice of Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Please note, Valley Metro is a brand name only. Valley Metro Rail, Inc. operates light rail service.”
  8. Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”
  9. A.R.S. § 33-1551(A), checked 2026-11-08. “A public or private owner, easement holder, lessee, tenant, manager or occupant of premises is not liable to a recreational user or educational user except on a showing that the owner, easement holder, lessee, tenant, manager or occupant was guilty of wilful, malicious or grossly negligent conduct”
  10. A.R.S. § 12-557(A), checked 2026-11-08. “A possessor of real property, including an owner, easement holder, lessee, renter or other occupant, does not owe a duty of care to a trespasser except to refrain from causing intentional, wilful or wanton injury.”
  11. Phoenix City Code 31-56, checked 2026-11-08. “the Street Transportation Director shall notify the owner of the abutting property of such defective condition”
  12. A.R.S. § 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”
  13. A.R.S. § 12-821, checked 2026-11-08. “All actions against any public entity or public employee shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues and not afterward.”
  14. Phoenix Sky Harbor, Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact Airport Emergency Services at 602-273-3311”
  15. Phoenix Sky Harbor, Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “Report all other safety hazards and incidents to:”
  16. Valley Metro, Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “On buses, report issues to the operator or a Valley Metro employee, or contact Customer Service at (602) 253-5000”
  17. Valley Metro, Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “On rail, riders can use the Alert VM app, speak with a security officer or Customer Experience Representative, or use emergency call buttons on trains or at stations”
  18. Valley Metro, Notice of Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Valley Metro Attention: Risk Management 101 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 1300 Phoenix, AZ 85003”
  19. valleywisehealth.org, checked 2026-11-08. “Contact our Release of Information office at (602) 344-5266.”
  20. Banner Health, Patient Medical Records, checked 2026-11-08. “you can request your medical records from any Banner Health hospital, provider office, or urgent care location.”
  21. A.R.S. § 12-2505, checked 2026-11-08. “the claimant's action is not barred, but the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant's fault”
  22. Maricopa County Justice Courts, About, checked 2026-11-08. “small claims up to $5,000, and civil lawsuits for amounts up to $10,000”
  23. Arizona Revised Statutes 22-503, checked 2026-11-08. “Actions against this state, its political subdivisions or an officer or employee of the state or its political subdivisions in his official capacity.”
  24. Maricopa County Superior Court, Compulsory Arbitration, checked 2026-11-08. “Compulsory Arbitration is a mandatory program for disputes valued under $50,000.”
  25. A.R.S. § 12-821.01(A), checked 2026-11-08. “Any claim that is not filed within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues is barred and no action may be maintained thereon.”

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