Visitors can be classified into three categories:
- Invitees
- Licensees
- Trespassers
Invitees are people who enter the property for mutual benefits, usually for business-related reasons. Some common examples include shoppers at a retail store or customers at a restaurant.
Licensees are individuals who access the premises for their own purpose, but with express or implied permission. This includes social guests visiting a friend’s home or neighbors dropping by to say hello.
A trespasser is someone who steps onto the property without permission, whether it is done intentionally or accidentally.
While these classifications remain relevant, California law focuses on property owners owing a general duty of care owed to all visitors based on certain factors, like foreseeability and their relationship with the individual who was harmed.
