Which duty is owed to a licensee in Georgia?

In Georgia, the duty owed to a licensee—someone who enters a property for their own benefit, such as a social guest—is primarily to refrain from willful or wanton injury. This means that the property owner must not intentionally cause harm or act with reckless disregard for the safety of the licensee while they are on the premises.

This standard acknowledges that while property owners have a responsibility to avoid inflicting intentional harm, they are not held to the same level of care that is required for invitees, who are owed a higher duty of care. For instance, property owners do not need to ensure that the property is completely free of hazards or provide a safe exit route at all times, as these obligations are more stringent for invitees.

In contrast, ensuring warnings are posted for any dangerous areas relates more closely to the duty owed to invitees and the concept of premises liability, where a greater duty of care is involved. Therefore, the requirement for a licensee is more about not engaging in harmful conduct rather than taking active measures to ensure safety.