Premises liability refers to accidents caused by hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. In Missouri, property owners can be held legally responsible for injuries caused by their negligence, depending on the visitor’s reason for being on the property.

The role of a visitor—whether as a customer, guest, or trespasser—affects the level of responsibility a property owner has. For example:

• Business Invitees: Customers are owed the highest duty of care since their presence is linked to the property owner’s business interests. Property owners must actively maintain safety and security to protect invitees.
• Licensees: Social guests, like friends or family members, are still protected by the law, though the standard of care is lower than for business invitees.
• Trespassers: Property owners generally do not owe a duty of care to those who enter without permission, but Missouri law prohibits intentional harm or setting traps for trespassers.

There is an important exception for children who trespass. The “attractive nuisance” doctrine holds property owners responsible for securing dangerous features, such as pools, that might lure children onto their property. The Supreme Court of Missouri set the standards for applying the attractive nuisance law to premises liability cases.