A trespasser is one who, intentionally or by mistake, enters upon another's property without authority or permission from the owner to do so. A landowner does not owe a duty to trespassers to keep the premises in a safe condition. Rather, the landowner owes only a minimal duty to avoid willfully or wantonly injuring the trespasser.
One exception to this rule involves anticipated trespassers. An anticipated trespasser is one who the landlord knows or has reason to anticipate would come onto the property. The landlord has a duty to protect anticipated trespassers from dangerous activities or hidden perils on the premises.
The landlord has a higher duty of care if the individual is a licensee. A licensee is permitted to be on the property for social purposes (they are usually a social guest). The landowner has a duty to use ordinary care to keep the premises safe. He must protect licensees from known hazards on the premises.
The landlord has the highest duty of care if the individual is an invitee. An invitee is a person who is invited onto the property for business reasons (customers of a business, job applicants etc...). As with licensees, landowners have a duty to repair and correct known dangers in order to keep the property safe. Additionally, a landowner must reasonably inspect for and correct unknown hazards.
