Homeowner liability is a complicated subject, but as families around northcentral Wisconsin prepare for fall cleanup — people tend to ask about liability, especially as it pertains to those hired to help with the fall cleanup. Below is a very cursory synopsis of homeowner liability, but we highly recommend you consult an attorney in the event someone is injured on your property.
In general, the homeowner’s liability depends on whether the injured person has been invited to the property, is trespassing or is a licensee.
- If a trespasser is injured on your property, generally you are not liable for injuries that occur on your property unless you are aware that trespassers have access to your property.
- A licensee is defined as someone entering your property with your permission and for their benefit — that includes friends, relatives and guests. As a homeowner, you must warn licensees of any dangerous conditions that exist on your property.
- An invitee is a person who has been invited to your home for business purposes, such as a yard worker, painter, etc. It is in your best interest to inspect your property before that person arrives to look for potentially dangerous conditions. If you spot dangerous conditions, you must warn the person of those conditions.
In general, as a homeowner it’s best to inspect your property prior to holding social events or inviting workers to clean your yard or fix something on your property. Better yet, fix the dangerous conditions before they arrive.
