Guide
Open and obvious, in plain English
Quick answer
What people mean when they say a hazard was obvious, and why lighting and distraction still matter.
“Open and obvious” is a defense theme: the property owner argues a reasonable person would have seen the condition. A bright orange cone in an empty aisle is different from a clear puddle under a skylight glare.
Courts and insurers still look at lighting, crowding, whether the condition blended with the floor, and whether the owner created the wetness. The phrase is not an automatic loss for an injured person.
Write down what you could and could not see. That note, plus photos, is more useful than arguing the legal test yourself.
Not legal advice. A lawyer in your state can apply the local rule.