What is invitee versus licensee versus trespasser?

Visitor classification fundamentally determines property owner duties with different legal protections for each category. Invitees enter property for owner’s benefit including customers, delivery persons, and public invitees at government buildings. Owners owe invitees duties to inspect, discover, and remedy dangerous conditions or provide adequate warnings. Licensees enter for their own purposes with owner permission including social guests and salespersons. Owners must warn licensees of known hidden dangers but need not inspect for unknown hazards. Trespassers enter without permission receiving minimal protection against intentional harm or known hidden dangers likely causing death or serious injury. Children may receive enhanced protection under attractive nuisance doctrine even while trespassing. Status can change during visits such as customers becoming trespassers in unauthorized areas. Some states abandon classifications applying reasonable care standards to all lawful visitors. Emergency responders receive invitee status regardless of permission. Mutual benefit situations may blur distinctions between invitee and licensee categories. Understanding classifications helps determine applicable duty standards for visitor injuries.

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