Are Landowners Liable for Trespassers' Injuries?

根据德州法律, 土地所有者对其财产的不同类别的人负有不同的责任. From a liability perspective, 只要土地所有人履行了该财产的人类别所规定的义务, he or she is not liable for the person’s injury.

任何未经许可进入土地所有人财产的人都属于非法侵入者. 根据德州法律, this category receives the least protection, 土地所有人对非法侵入者的唯一责任是避免故意伤害他人或有“重大过失”.”

可以这样想故意伤害:如果有人未经允许进入你的财产并掉进了洞里, 你不会有责任的. But if you knowingly push someone into the hole, you may have a problem.

Texas statute defines “gross negligence” as an act or omission that:

  • 当客观地从行为人的角度来看，它的发生涉及到极端程度的风险, considering the probability and magnitude of the potential harm to others; and
  • Of which the actor has actual, subjective awareness of the risk involved, but nevertheless proceeds with conscious indifference to the rights, 安全, 或他人的福利.

换句话说, 被告必须知道且不关心财产遭受严重伤害的极高风险. “重大过失”要求原告在对土地所有者的索赔中取得成功的证据水平很高.

One legal example in Texas is 州v. Shumake那样的话, 一个小女孩在州立公园里玩油管时，被一个隐藏的人工涵洞吸进去淹死了. Her family was able to prove the state park was aware of the culvert, knew other persons had recently nearly drowned there, and did nothing to remedy the danger or provide warning. 德克萨斯州最高法院的结论是，这符合更高的责任标准.

只要土地所有者没有重大过失或故意伤害他们土地上的非法侵入者, they will likely not be held liable. However, not being liable and not getting sued are two separate things.

虽然土地所有者可能会赢得由受伤的侵入者提起的诉讼, the legal costs to do so would likely be borne by the landowner. 正因为如此，土地所有者携带一份责任保险是个好主意. The necessary coverage depends on the level of risk involved with the property.

例如, 一个在荒郊野外拥有农场的地主可能需要的保险比一个经营广受欢迎的自己采摘南瓜农场的地主要少.

土地所有者应该与保险代理人交谈，以确定他们经营的正确保险范围.