Getting hurt can be scary enough, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar location or damaged by no fault of your own, but it can be worse if your injuries need medical care or you need support that you would have to pay for.
When on someone else’s property, there are protections in place for both of you! These are the most important things to know and why it matters.
Your Protections Change By State
It’s vital to understand that your protections change from state to state. For example, there are rules in some states depending on your relationship to the landowner
For others, it depends on whether the injury was because of the property owner’s neglect or of you. Either way, it’s a good idea to check your local laws and figure out which might be true in your own case.
For Invitees
Invitees are visitors on the property with the owner’s knowledge and to benefit both parties. This would be someone there to purchase from a store or restaurant or be a patron in some other way.
As an invitee, you’re owed the highest duty of care since business owners are required to do everything within their capabilities to ensure that the property they operate on is safe and protect those who are on it. Any possible risks that should have been discoverable during a routine inspection will leave them liable.
For Licensees
Licensees are invited onto the land by the property owner for reasons that aren’t business or any other commercial intents. These are friends or family members and are generally people to socialize with the property owner. You’re owed a fairly standard duty of care as a licensee to be warned of anything that could cause harm.
Still, property owners in this situation aren’t necessarily expected to inspect their properties routinely.
For Trespassers
Trespassers are the easiest to recognize. These individuals weren’t invited and are accessing the property without the owner’s consent. Unfortunately, you’re generally not protected from much in this situation since the land isn’t prepared for you to be on it.
However, trespassers are still given a small amount of protection, including the right to be warned even of ‘unnatural hazards’ that might be set up on the land they’re on.
When You Should Seek Legal Aid
If you suffer an injury that’s so extreme that you need medical care of any form, and they won’t discuss it with you or consider contacting their insurance, it’s time to seek legal aid.
This doesn’t matter if you’re an invitee, licensee, or trespasser; it’s a good idea to pursue a personal injury lawyer and be told you don’t need one: rather than avoid seeking one out and leaving yourself vulnerable to underserved medical debt or losses.
You Deserve to Live Without Injury
Everyone deserves to live without injury, regardless of where they are or how well they know the homeowner. Please get to know your rights and exercise them so that you don’t have to worry about being taken advantage of.