Woman Trips Over Parking Lot Speed Bump

Key point 7-20.1. In most states, whether a church is liable for injuries occurring on its premises will depend on the whether the victim is an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser. Churches, like any property owner, owe the highest degree of care to invitees, a lesser degree of care to licensees, and a very minimal degree of care to trespassers. As a result, it is more likely that churches will be liable for injuries to persons who meet the definition of an "invitee."

* A Michigan court ruled that a church was not responsible for injuries sustained by a woman who tripped on a speed bump in the church parking lot. A woman (the "plaintiff") tripped on a speed bump in a church parking lot. It was dark and the plaintiff was in a hurry. Although she had driven over the speed bump several times in the past and knew it was there, she did not see it on the evening of her injury because of the darkness. ...