Negligence in Arizona
Last checked Aug 15, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
Elements
1
Duty
The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty of reasonable care in the circumstances.
2
Breach
The defendant failed to meet that standard, they did something a reasonably careful person would not, or failed to do something they would.
3
Causation
The breach was a factual and legal (proximate) cause of the harm. Foreseeability matters.
4
Damages
The plaintiff suffered actual harm, medical bills, lost wages, pain, property loss.
Burden of proof
Preponderance of the evidence, more likely than not.
A Arizona fact pattern
Negligence in arizona.
Statute of limitations
2 years
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542
From when the cause of action accrues (usually the injury).
- A public entity, school, or public employee generally needs a notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01). Miss it, and the two-year story does not save the file.