Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: A.R.S. § 12-542 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of injury, under A.R.S. § 12-542.
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The deadline to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Arizona is 2 years, set by A.R.S. § 12-542. It starts running on Date of injury. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Arizona Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Slip and Fall | 2 years | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542; § 12-611; § 12-612 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | A.R.S. § 12-541(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
When the Clock Starts
In Arizona, the limitations period for slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury. Arizona recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Limited discovery rule; for public entity claims, accrual rules are governed by A.R.S. § 12-821.01 and the claim accrues when the plaintiff knew or should have known of the cause of action.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: 180-day notice of claim to public entity required before suit (A.R.S. § 12-821.01); note that the SOL against a public entity is only 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821), not 2 years
CRITICAL DISTINCTION: For falls on public (government) property in Arizona, a separate 1-year SOL applies under § 12-821 and a 180-day notice of claim must first be filed (§ 12-821.01). Falls on private property have the standard 2-year SOL under § 12-542.
Source: A.R.S. § 12-542, official Arizona statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Arizona government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Arizona Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 years | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1 |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307(3) |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | NMSA 1978 § 37-1-8 |
| Colorado | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Arizona?
You have 2 years from Date of injury, under A.R.S. § 12-542.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Arizona?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to slip and fall injury claims in Arizona?
Yes. Limited discovery rule; for public entity claims, accrual rules are governed by A.R.S. § 12-821.01 and the claim accrues when the plaintiff knew or should have known of the cause of action.
What if the victim was a minor?
Arizona generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
180-day notice of claim to public entity required before suit (A.R.S. § 12-821.01); note that the SOL against a public entity is only 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821), not 2 years
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Sources
- Official A.R.S. § 12-542 — Arizona Legislature
- Corroborating Arizona Personal Injury Laws — Nolo
- Corroborating A.R.S. § 12-542 — Justia
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Arizona attorney.