occupiers' liability

Occupiers’ liability refers to the legal obligation of someone who controls a property—such as a landowner or tenant—to ensure that visitors are reasonably safe while on the premises. This duty varies depending on the visitor’s status (e.g., invitee, trespasser) and the circumstances. Essentially, occupiers must take reasonable care to prevent injury from hazards they know about or should have known about, but their responsibility isn’t unlimited. The law balances safe premises with the rights of visitors and property owners to manage and enjoy their property responsibly.