Legal Definitions - invitee

An invitee is a person who is invited to enter someone else's property, either directly or indirectly, for a specific purpose. This could be a customer entering a store or a guest attending a social event at a private residence.

The property owner has a duty to ensure that the premises are reasonably safe and to warn the invitee of any known dangerous conditions that are not open and obvious. This duty is based on state premises liability laws, which vary from state to state.

For example, if a customer slips and falls on a wet floor in a store, the store owner may be liable for any injuries sustained by the customer. Similarly, if a guest at a party is injured due to a dangerous condition on the property, the host may be held responsible.

The duty owed to invitees has been the subject of many legal cases. In some states, such as California, the law has established a general duty of care for property owners to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition, regardless of the visitor's status.