Tyler Gross | May 6, 2025 | Personal Injury

What Is an Invitee?

If you’ve ever slipped, tripped, or fallen while visiting someone’s property, you might have heard the word invitee used in a legal setting. But what does that term actually mean—and why does it matter?

In personal injury law, particularly in premises liability cases, the term invitee helps define the legal responsibilities a property owner has to the person who was injured. Knowing whether someone is an invitee can affect whether they’re entitled to compensation for their injuries.

In this blog, we’ll break down what an invitee is, how invitees differ from other types of visitors, and what legal protections invitees have if they get hurt. If you or a loved one were injured on someone else’s property, understanding these terms could help you decide what to do next.

The Definition of an Invitee

An invitee is someone who has been invited onto someone else’s property for a business-related reason or for the benefit of the property owner. This can include customers in a store, clients in an office, or even delivery drivers dropping off packages.

Invitees are owed the highest duty of care under premises liability law. That means the property owner must take reasonable steps to keep the property safe and warn invitees about any known dangers. If a business fails to fix a broken floor tile or doesn’t put up a “Wet Floor” sign, and a customer slips and gets hurt, the business may be held liable.

To learn more about how these types of cases are handled, check out personal injury practice area pages or visit resource pages for answers to common questions.

Examples of Invitees

Invitees aren’t just customers shopping in stores. Other examples include:

  • Hotel guests: When someone checks into a hotel, they are considered invitees because they are there as paying customers, which benefits the business. The hotel has a legal duty to keep the property safe from hazards such as broken stairs, slippery floors, or faulty locks.
  • Employees at their workplace: Workers are classified as invitees because they are on the property to perform their job duties, which in turn benefits the employer. Employers are responsible for providing a reasonably safe working environment and fixing known dangers.
  • People attending a public event or open house: Attendees of concerts, festivals, or real estate open houses are typically invitees since their presence supports the event host or organizer. Property owners must take steps to prevent injuries caused by issues like overcrowding, uneven walkways, or poor lighting.
  • Contractors hired to perform work on the property: Electricians, plumbers, or landscapers are considered invitees because they are there to complete a task that serves the property owner. The owner must make sure these workers are warned of any hazards that aren’t obvious and ensure the premises are reasonably safe for their visit.

In each of these situations, the person is on the property for a reason that benefits the owner. That’s what separates an invitee from other visitors.

Property owners must:

  • Inspect the property regularly
  • Fix or remove known hazards
  • Warn visitors of dangers that aren’t obvious

This high level of responsibility means that invitees can often recover compensation if they’re hurt due to unsafe conditions. If you’ve experienced this, read more about slip-and-fall cases.

Invitee vs. Licensee vs. Trespasser

Understanding invitees is easier when you compare them to other types of visitors:

  • Invitees: On the property for business or mutual benefit (highest protection)
  • Licensees: On the property for social reasons (moderate protection)
  • Trespassers: On the property without permission (lowest protection)

Property owners owe less responsibility to licensees and trespassers. For example, a guest at a house party is a licensee, while someone breaking into a home is a trespasser. These classifications can influence how a case is argued in court.

What Should You Do if You’re an Injured Invitee?

If you believe you were hurt while lawfully on someone else’s property, you should:

  1. Report the accident to the property owner or business
  2. Seek medical attention and document your injuries
  3. Take photos of the area where you were hurt
  4. Speak with a legal professional to understand your rights

If you’re injured on someone else’s property, a lawyer will be a critical resource to you.

Invitees and Premises Liability

If you’re an invitee and get hurt due to unsafe conditions, the property owner may be responsible for your damages. Understanding your status under the law can help you figure out your legal options.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in North Florida

If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have five convenient locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview, Milton, and Mary Esther.

Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Pensacola Office
803 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: (850) 434-3333

Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Navarre Office
9933 Navarre Pkwy
Navarre, FL 32566
Phone: (850) 757-2898

Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Crestview Office
1501 S Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 407-7726

Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Milton Office
6373 US-90
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: (850) 790-7790

Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Mary Esther Office
151 Mary Esther Blvd Suite 103A
Mary Esther, FL 32569
Phone: (850) 809-0170