A lot of folks get outside in the fall to hunt, run cross country, or race cyclocross. Many times, these activities are on private land. Let’s talk about who is responsible if someone is injured.

Ohio has a “recreational user” statute – RC 1533.181 – which grants immunity to private landowners for injuries to recreational users on their land. This includes people who hunt, fish, camp, hike, ride bikes, and play games. There is no obligation for the landowner to make the land safe nor is there liability for any injury caused by an act of another recreational user.

The Ohio legislature enacted the recreational user statute to encourage landowners to allow access for recreational pursuits on their private, open property – without the associated liability for injury.

The exception, however, is if the private landowner charges some type of fee or receives some other benefit in exchange for access to land.

If you have questions about personal injury claims please contact Scott for a no cost, no obligation consultation and case evaluation.