Your responsibilities as a host for your guests’ alcohol consumption at holiday parties

This article was originally published by The Hamilton Spectator

Question: I hosted a Holiday party where one of my guests consumed too much alcohol, drove his car and sustained serious injuries in a car accident. Can I be found responsible? 

Answer: Yes. You could be found partially responsible.  

During the holiday season, many of us will host parties for our friends and loved ones where alcohol is being served. Although you do not have the same legal duties as someone who runs a bar, if you are providing alcohol or permitting alcohol to be consumed (BYOB), you do have some responsibilities. If you provide alcohol to a guest to the point of intoxication or continue to supply alcohol to them when they are already obviously intoxicated, you could be partially responsible for any resulting injuries. Depending on the facts, you could be partially responsible for any resulting car accident and injuries. Taking steps such as stopping the supply of alcohol, arranging for someone to drive your guest home, putting your guest in a cab, taking away your guest’s keys and inviting your guest to stay overnight can limit your liability.  Be prepared to call the police for help if your guest is intoxicated and intends to drive. 

Taking these steps to provide for the safety of your friends is not only legally advisable, it’s what friends are for.