Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hound.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!houxm!hound!551rcg From: 551rcg@hound.UUCP (R.GANNS) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: party host liability ideas Message-ID: <550@hound.UUCP> Date: Thu, 28-Jun-84 13:10:05 EDT Article-I.D.: hound.550 Posted: Thu Jun 28 13:10:05 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 30-Jun-84 03:21:00 EDT Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 88 QUESTION #1: If party hosts are to be held liable for subsequent actions of drunk guests, then shouldn't bartenders also be liable for customers who drink then drive? maybe this is so, and I just missed it. But somehow I doubt it. QUESTION #2: How do you deal with the following scenario? Guest A has been drinking quite a bit at your party, but seems alert, sober, and quite in control. Guest A assures you they're fine, have a high tolerance for booze, that there's no problem, and they have to leave for an important appointment. So off they go. On their way, they get in an accident (which may or may not be their fault). They fail a blood alcohol test. Bingo. You lose. How do we deal with such a problem? One way is to buy some breathalizer or blood alcohol testing apparatus, and require beforehand that all guests who intend to come agree to submit to the test, and if they fail, agree not to leave the party until they pass the test. This practice will make you a VERY POPULAR host, and you can look forward to having at least two or three guests come. Also, you'd better have some means of forcibly restraining those who refuse to play the game after they've gotten three-sheets-to-the-wind. Maybe you could form a corporation to host the party, the corp- oration assuming any liability. Of course, since the corporation will have no assetts, no lawyer would dream of pursuing legal action against it. Of course, the lawyers will still win, since you'll have to consult one to be sure this scam is going to work. Maybe some industrious soul will form his own little corporation for the purpose of sponsoring parties, thus relieving the host (REAL host) of any liability. He/she could then sell the corporation's services as legal host for a modest (or not so modest ) fee, and if anything happens, suit is brought against the corporation, rather than against any individual. Of course, all of corp.'s assets are tied up in offshore investments, such as mango futures or what-not (maybe Bob Vesco can gives us a few hints on this one). Let's say your friend E.P. "Fast Eddy" Esterhazy has formed such a party-sponsoring corporation, now ..... .... you can get a special PARTY HOST LIABILITY insurance policy, sort of like those one-flight life insurance policies that used to sell from strange little vending machines in airports back in the days when folks were a bit less squeamish about facing reality. We could even use those very same little machines, stationing them in liquor stores. I can see one now. A bright, shiny little chrome job, with a brass placard reading: PARTY TONITE? DON'T GET SUED!!! ...that's right! Under current New Jersey law, you can be held liable for the actions of your guest!....So protect yourself with a... FAST EDDY ONE-BLAST DRUNK PROTECTION POLICY Here's how it works: let's say that uncle Seymour gets pickled tonight and drives the Rolls over some hitch-hiker. You're in BIG trouble, right? WRONG! FAST EDDY WILL PICK UP THE TAB! Just insert the premium (small, unmarked bills only) in the slot below, and receive your policy (GOOD ONLY FOR 24 HOURS) Anyway, until Fast Eddy brings his act to town, you'll have to watch those saturday-nite rip-snorters. ...the peanut butter sandwhich is finished, so it's back to work. 'BYE.