What does the standard of care for land possessors depend on?

The standard of care for land possessors is primarily determined by the status of the land entrant, which refers to the legal classification of individuals who enter onto the land. In tort law, there are generally three categories of entrants: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. The land possessor's duty of care varies significantly based on this status.

For invitees, who are individuals invited onto the property for business purposes or public use, land possessors owe the highest duty of care. They must take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of their guests, including regular inspections and maintenance of the property.

Licensees, on the other hand, enter the property for their own purposes with the landowner's consent. The duty of care owed to them is less stringent; the land possessor must be aware of and warn them about any hazardous conditions that could cause harm.

Lastly, trespassers, who enter the property without permission, generally receive the least protection. Land possessors must refrain from willfully or wantonly causing harm to trespassers but are not obligated to maintain the same level of safety as they would for invitees or even licensees.

Understanding this classification helps clarify why the status of the land entrant is crucial in determining the