Walmart stores see thousands of shoppers daily, and with that volume comes a steady occurrence of wet floors, cluttered aisles, uneven surfaces, and spills that don't get cleaned up fast enough. When one of those hazards causes you to fall, Arizona premises liability law gives you the right to pursue compensation, even against one of the largest retailers in the world.
What you have to prove
Walmart owes customers a duty of reasonable care as invitees, the highest standard under Arizona law. To hold them liable, you need to show the store had actual or constructive notice of the hazard (they knew, or enough time had passed that they should have found it through reasonable inspection) and failed to correct it or warn customers. Walmart maintains detailed incident records, surveillance footage, and inspection logs, all of which can establish notice. That footage typically gets overwritten in 24 to 72 hours, which is why contacting an attorney immediately after a fall matters.
What Walmart's insurer will do
Walmart self-insures through a claims management subsidiary. Their adjusters are experienced at minimizing payouts, arguing the hazard was open and obvious, disputing whether you were actually injured by the fall, or claiming you were partly at fault. Arizona's pure comparative fault rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505) means even if you shared some responsibility, you can still recover, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Having an attorney who has dealt with Walmart's claims process before matters. See our post on Arizona comparative negligence law.
After a fall at Walmart
Report the incident to store management and ask for a written incident report. Photograph the hazard, the area, any warning signs (or their absence), and your injuries before you leave. Get medical care that same day. Preserve the shoes and clothing you were wearing. Don't give a recorded statement to Walmart's claims representatives 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.
Our slip and fall attorneys handle big-box retailer claims throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.