North Carolina Premises Liability Law: What Are Your Responsibilities as a Landowner?

When someone visits your property – whether as a social guest or a repairman - there is always a chance that an injury could result. As a landowner, you may not know the extent of your potential liability when someone becomes injured on your property. ​

Some states, such as Florida, apply different standards of care on the part of the landowner depending on the classification of the injury person (invitee, licensee, or trespasser). Up until 1998, North Carolina courts did so as well. Now, North Carolina applies the same standard of care of landowners to all lawful visitors – landowners must exercise reasonable care in not exposing lawful visitors to dangerous conditions and must warn of any hidden dangers on the property. “Reasonable care” may mean cleaning up a spill on the floor or just maintaining the property in general. 

In order to recover damages from a landowner, the...

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