I'm a visitor who was injured by a known hazard on premises.

What the Law Says

The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 sets out the duty of care an occupier owes to lawful visitors on their premises.

Under section 2 of the Act, an occupier owes a 'common duty of care' to all visitors — meaning they must take such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances to see that the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which they are invited or permitted to be there.

A 'known hazard' is highly relevant: if the occupier was aware of the danger (or should reasonably have been), courts expect proactive steps — like warnings, barriers, or repairs — to prevent harm. The duty is not absolute, but proportionate to the risk and the visitor’s status.

The Act applies only to lawful visitors — including invitees, licensees, and those with implied permission — but not trespassers (who fall under the separate Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984).

Statutory Text

An occupier of premises owes the same duty, the 'common duty of care', to all his visitors, except in so far as he is free to and does extend, restrict, modify or exclude his duty to any visitor or visitors by agreement or otherwise.

— Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, s. 2 — Duty of occupier to visitors

Sources