Recent Development

This Comment will explore the origin, evolution, and refinement of the common-law classifications, with particular focus upon recent decisions abrogating these distinctions in favor of a broader standard of ordinary care under the circumstances. ====== The problem of defining a landowner's' responsibility toward persons who come upon his premises has been the subject of longstanding controversy. While some commentators have argued that the limited responsibility placed by the common law on landowners does not comport with modern principles of negligence liability proponents of the common-law standards have urged that the common-law scheme of entrant classes--trespasser, licensee, invitee--provides a workable approach to the determination of landowners' liability to entrants. This Comment will explore the origin, evolution, and refinement of the common-law classifications, with particular focus upon recent decisions abrogating these distinctions in favor of a broader standard of ordinary care under the circumstances.