What are the legal responsibilities of a party host?
This article was originally published by The Hamilton Spectator.
Hosting Considerations
With the warm weather now here in full force, many of us look forward to hosting social events in the coming months, such as barbeques, pool parties and more. When doing so, it is important to be aware of some of the inherent liability that accompanies the responsibility of hosting.
As a host, you may be liable for injuries sustained by guests while at your home. Under the Occupier’s Liability Act, hosts have a duty to prevent harm to guests as a result of activities which occur on your property. While your home insurance policy may cover certain instances of occupier liability, ensuring that guests act safely while on your property is a better way to protect yourself from compensating an injured guest out-of-pocket.
Other concerns around hosting liability involve the serving of alcohol to guests. The Supreme Court of Canada has defined a “social host” as an occupier other than an employer or business. This means that if you serve alcohol to guests at your home, you are likely deemed a social host. The Supreme Court has suggested that social hosts may be liable for damages caused by impaired guests even after they leave a social event, and particularly where the host knew the guest was intoxicated and continued to serve them anyway.
Remember – it is important to ensure that your guests are safe both while at your home, and to take reasonable steps to ensure that guests will be safe when they leave.
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