Did you fall because someone didn’t keep their property safe?
A slip and fall is a type of personal injury claim. It happens when a property owner's negligence leads to an accident. This happens when hazards like a spilled liquid in a grocery aisle, an icy sidewalk, or a poorly lit stairwell cause you to lose your footing on someone else's premises.
Slip and fall injuries can be painful and slow to heal. As you start to piece together what happened and
who is liable, you also need to keep in mind how long after a slip and fall you can sue.
How Long You Have To Sue After a Slip and Fall Accident
In general, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a slip and fall. In Arizona, that time limit is usually two years from the date of your injury. If you wait too long and miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case.
This deadline applies to most slip and fall claims involving private property, like stores, apartment complexes, or private businesses.
When the Clock Starts After a Slip and Fall Accident
In most cases, the time limit to file a slip and fall lawsuit starts on the day you fall and suffer an injury. The law recognizes a few limited exceptions.
When Injuries Aren’t Discovered Right Away
For example, if you don’t know about your injury right away, the deadline may start on the date you discover the injury, not the date of the fall. Some injuries, such as head trauma or joint damage, don’t cause symptoms immediately. If a reasonable person would not have recognized the injury earlier, the discovery rule allows the filing deadline to begin when the injury is diagnosed or should have been discovered.
How Slip and Fall Filing Deadlines Work for Children
The law treats injuries to children differently because minors cannot file lawsuits on their own. In many cases, the filing deadline pauses while the child is under 18. Once the child turns 18, the deadline usually begins, and they typically have two years to file a lawsuit.
However, the deadline may not pause if a parent or legal guardian already had the legal authority to file the claim on the child’s behalf but didn’t. In those situations, courts may expect the adult to act within the normal time limits, even though the injured person is a minor.
Courts apply these exceptions narrowly. You should never assume that extra time applies to your situation. If you are unsure how long you have to file based on your injury and when you discovered it, you may
need a lawyer to explain your deadline and your options.
Property Ownership Can Affect How Long You Have To Sue
