Is the host responsible?

I heard somewhere that if a "guest" of your household leaves your house "impaired", and this person gets in an accident, you can be held responsible. Is this true?

If so, how does this apply to a large scale party where you may not know when people are coming or going?

How do you protect yourself from this?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[HomeGuru]

Yes it is true under shared and contingent liability.
Prevention is easy.
Don't have parties where alchohol is served or limit the amount of guests and make sure all guests have designated drivers.

[JETX]

Another option....
Only give 2 drink tickets to each person when they pay at the door (only one ticket to 'small' people. I get three!!).

[HomeGuru]

Originally posted by Halket
Another option....
Only give 2 drink tickets to each person when they pay at the door (only one ticket to 'small' people. I get three!!).

My response: Halket, you can drink 3 glasses of Kool Aid?

perhaps only invite guests you can trust not to sue you for their own idiocy. I wonder if you could have them sign a waiver. Anyone?

Wouldn't BYOB be an option???

[JETX]

Originally posted by HomeGuru


My response: Halket, you can drink 3 glasses of Kool Aid?

What flavor??? I just love it when that big sweaty picture of ice-cold Kool Aid crashes through that wall!!!

Or maybe you're talking about we TEXANS used to call "Colorado Kool-Aid" (aka Coors).

At certain parties I have seen signs posted that state "The owner is not responsible for any actions, accidents, and behaviors of the guests. Enter at your own risk". Does something like this cover the responsibility of the party giver?