What standard does New York apply to landowner liability for injuries on premises?

• A. The Distinctions between invitees, licensees, and trespassers still govern duties.
• B. Landowners have a strict liability to keep premises safe for everyone.
• C. Landowners must act with reasonable care under the circumstances.
• D. There is no duty owed to entrants unless a contract exists.

Answer: (C)

New York premises liability is governed by a duty to act with reasonable care under the circumstances. This means a landowner must keep the property reasonably safe and warn of known or reasonably discoverable hazards. The categories of entrant—invitee, licensee, and trespasser—shape how that duty is applied (the scope of what must be done for each group), but the core standard is reasonableness. It is not strict liability, and a contract is not needed to owe this duty.