Legal Definitions - invitee

In legal terms, an invitee is a person who enters another's property with the express or implied permission of the property owner, typically for a purpose that benefits the owner or because the property is held open to the public for that purpose.

Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care among visitors. This means they must take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe, regularly inspect for potential hazards, and either fix any dangerous conditions or warn invitees about them, especially if those dangers are not obvious.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of an invitee:

• Example 1: A patron at a public museum.

  A person visiting a city art museum to view an exhibition is considered an invitee. The museum is a public establishment, and by opening its doors, the city (as the property owner) extends an implied invitation to the public to enter for the purpose of appreciating art. The museum has a duty to ensure the walkways are clear, exhibits are securely displayed, and any potential hazards, like a slippery floor near a water feature, are clearly marked or promptly addressed.

• Example 2: A contractor performing work at a commercial office building.

  A plumber hired to repair a leaky pipe in a commercial office building is an invitee. The building owner has expressly invited the plumber onto the property for a business purpose – to perform a service that directly benefits the owner by maintaining the property. The owner must ensure that the areas the plumber needs to access are reasonably safe and warn them of any non-obvious dangers, such as exposed wiring or unstable scaffolding, that the owner knows about.

• Example 3: A parent attending a school play at a local high school.

  When a high school hosts a play and invites parents and community members to attend, those attendees are invitees. The school (as the property owner) extends an implied invitation for a specific purpose – to enjoy the performance. The school has a duty to ensure the auditorium, hallways, and restrooms are reasonably safe, free from tripping hazards, and that emergency exits are clearly marked and accessible.