Premises liability is an area of law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe or hazardous conditions. In Utah, premises liability law generally requires property owners and occupiers to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors and to warn visitors of any known hazards.
Under Utah law, there are different standards of care owed to different types of visitors to a property, including:
Invitees: Those who are invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers in a store. Property owners and occupiers owe a high duty of care to invitees and must take reasonable steps to inspect their property and correct any known hazards.
Licensees: Those who are permitted to enter the property for non-business purposes, such as social guests. Property owners and occupiers have a duty to warn licensees of any known hazards that may not be obvious.
Trespassers: Those who enter the property without permission. Property owners and occupiers generally do not owe a duty of care to trespassers, but they may be liable for injuries caused by intentional or reckless conduct.