Premises liability encompasses a broad range of property types and circumstances where unsafe conditions lead to injury. The owners of just about any kind of property can be held liable for injuries if their negligence allowed the accident to happen.

Your reason for being on a property can significantly influence the outcome of a premises liability case, including potential settlement amounts or court awards.

Business owners welcome customers to their establishments with profit in mind. This commercial interest holds business owners to a higher standard of ensuring visitor safety. 

If you’re not on a property for business purposes, you might be classified as a social guest or licensee. While property owners still have obligations to these visitors, the standard of care is generally lower than for business invitees.

Trespassers typically receive the least protection under the law. Property owners usually don’t have to maintain safety for uninvited guests or warn them about known hazards. However, they can’t intentionally set traps or cause deliberate harm to trespassers.

An important exception exists for child trespassers. The “attractive nuisance” doctrine recognizes that children may be drawn to potentially dangerous features on a property, such as a swimming pool. Landowners have a special duty to secure or remove hazards that might entice young visitors, even if those children are technically trespassing.