§4.1 - Introduction

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§4.1INTRODUCTION

The primary principle in premises liability, feudal in origin and nature, is the status of the claimant. The claimant's status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser governs the scope of the duty of care owed by a possessor of land. See generally Prosser & Keeton on the Law of Torts §§58-61 (W. Page Keeton ed., 5th ed. 1984 & Supp. 1988). However, a veritable thicket of specific rules, exceptions to the rules, and exceptions to exceptions has grown up around the bare question of...