Who pays when you fall? In Arkansas, identifying the responsible party is crucial for recovering damages after a slip and fall. Falls are a top concern: The CDC’s 2025 data reports 47,026 unintentional fall deaths and 14 million incidents among older adults.
Arkansas sees 23,900 work-related injuries yearly, with slips and falls comprising 20%, per the Department of Labor. Knowing who’s liable can unlock compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Premises Liability in Arkansas
Arkansas law holds property controllers accountable. If negligence—like ignoring a wet floor—causes your injury, the responsible party may owe damages. Duty of care depends on your status:
- Invitees (e.g., customers): Owners must inspect and fix hazards.
- Licensees (guests): Reasonable warnings are required.
- Trespassers: Only protection from intentional harm.
Negligence requires notice: Did the owner know, or should they have known, about the hazard? Evidence like prior complaints proves this.
Parties Who May Be Liable
Liability isn’t just the owner. Multiple parties could be at fault, based on control. Here’s who might be responsible
- Property Owners: Homeowners or businesses for overall safety.
- Business Operators: Stores or restaurants for customer areas, like parking lots.
- Landlords: For structural issues, like broken railings in rentals.
- Tenants: For hazards they create, like spills in a leased shop.
- Management Companies: Hired to maintain properties, liable for lapses.
- Government Entities: Cities for public spaces, with strict 120-day notice rules.
- Contractors: Builders or cleaners if their work causes hazards.
Case in point: A 2023 Arkansas ruling held a mall manager liable for an ignored spill, awarding damages after proving notice.
Proving Who’s Responsible
Evidence drives liability. You must show the defendant failed to act on a known or obvious hazard. Key evidence includes:
- Photos of the hazard (e.g., ice outside a Little Rock Target)
- Incident reports
- Witness accounts
- Maintenance records
Local risks are real: Construction near Chenal Parkway or busy River Market spots increase fall dangers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says falls cause 5-11% of work-related deaths, often due to owner neglect.
Why Liability Matters
The costs add up. Falls cost $50 billion annually in medical bills and lost productivity, per the CDC. Arkansas’s high injury rate (85 fatal cases per 100,000 workers) means victims face steep losses. Arkansas’s fault rule: If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can recover reduced damages.
Our team at Pfeifer Law Firm investigates thoroughly, using scene photos and expert testimony to identify liable parties. We work on contingency—no fees until you win.
Hold the Right Party Accountable
Don’t let negligence slide. For help determining liability, reach our experienced Little Rock slip and fall lawyers. If you’re seeking a trusted advocate after a slip and fall in Little Rock, Paul Pfeifer, founding partner of Pfeifer Law Firm, P.A., brings unmatched expertise and compassion. A Little Rock native with a 2025 Super Lawyers honor and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Paul has a proven track record in premises liability cases, securing significant results for injured Arkansans. Learn more about his dedication to justice at our attorney profile page. Call (501) 374-4440 for a free consultation. Get the compensation you deserve today.