Grocery stores owe customers a high duty of care under Arizona premises liability law. Shoppers are invitees — people invited onto the property for a business purpose — which means the store must not only fix known hazards but actively inspect for dangers. A spill left unattended, a broken floor mat, water near produce misters, or a freshly mopped floor without warning signs can all establish liability when they cause a fall.
What you have to prove
To hold a grocery store liable, you need to show the store had actual or constructive notice of the hazard and failed to correct it within a reasonable time. Actual notice means they knew — an employee saw the spill. Constructive notice means enough time had passed that a reasonable inspection would have found it. Maintenance logs, surveillance footage, and employee testimony about inspection schedules all go to notice. Surveillance footage in particular gets overwritten quickly — usually in 24 to 72 hours — which is why acting immediately matters.
Comparative fault
Arizona's pure comparative fault rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505) means your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover even if you shared some responsibility. Grocery store insurers routinely argue the hazard was open and obvious, or that you were distracted. See our post on Arizona comparative negligence law.
What to do after a fall
Report the incident to the store manager before you leave and ask for a written incident report. Photograph the hazard, the area, any warning signs (or their absence), and your injuries. Get medical care even if you feel okay — soft-tissue injuries often don't present symptoms for hours. Gather witness contact information. Save the shoes and clothing you were wearing. Don't give a recorded statement to the store's insurer before speaking with an attorney.
The filing deadline
Arizona gives most personal injury victims two years from the date of injury (A.R.S. § 12-542). See our post on the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations for exceptions.
Our slip and fall attorneys handle grocery store claims throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.