The answer can be complex and often depends on specific circumstances.
In Arizona, the liability of a store owner for incidents occurring in their parking lots hinges on the particular facts and events leading to the injury. It's essential to recognize that store owners' responsibilities extend beyond the interior of their stores to encompass their entire property, including parking lots.
Liability, in these cases, is often connected to the concept of negligent security. If a store owner knows, or reasonably should know, about unsafe conditions that could lead to an assault in their parking lot and fails to take appropriate measures to mitigate these risks, they might be held liable for any resulting injuries. For instance, if there have been previous attacks in a store's parking lot and the owner neglects to enhance security through measures like hiring guards, installing surveillance cameras, or improving lighting, they could potentially be held financially responsible for injuries sustained in a subsequent assault.
In handling such cases, we closely examine all facts of a matter, including the store owner's awareness of potential dangers and the steps (or lack thereof) taken to address them. Each case is unique, and the determination of liability requires a thorough understanding of Arizona premises liability law and the specifics of the incident.