Party hosts responsible for guests

Greg Risling

It’s the same wrenching story told too many times during the holidays:

someone loses their life because someone else was driving drunk.

Unknown to many, however, is the fact that someone who hosts a party

could be held liable if one of their guests is later involved in an

alcohol-related accident.

One local group is hoping those partying this New Year’s Eve will steer

clear of the roadways and either stay sober or stay put at their

respective parties.

The Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is reminding people who

are hosting parties that they could be the target of a lawsuit if one of

their guests is responsible for a drunk driving accident.

“We don’t want people’s good time to be hampered by a tragedy,” said

Michael Glueck, a Newport Beach resident who sits on the organization’s

board.

The statistics speak for themselves, Glueck notes. Drivers who are

intoxicated have a greater chance of being involved in an accident than

those who are sober. Last year, there were 1,324 fatalities caused by

drunk drivers in California. Only Texas has worse statistics.

Where the organization hopes to do the most prevention is getting word

out to people who are planning to have parties. Glueck said there have

been many cases where the host has been named as a defendant in a civil

lawsuit. In some instances, people who have thrown parties have been

forced to pay for a victim’s medical bills and property damage.

“Party hosts do have a big responsibility -- not only to their guests,

but themselves,” Glueck said. “If you think you won’t be held liable,

you’re probably wrong. You don’t want to start off the new year with

something like that.”

There are some obvious and not-so-obvious tips party hosts might want to

heed:* Appoint a designated driver before the party.

* Don’t let guests mix their own drinks. Have a bartender who monitors

what people are drinking and how much.

* Close the bar 90 minutes before the party is expected to end.* Prepare

plenty of food so guests won’t drink on an empty stomach.* If someone has

had too much to drink, have the designated driver take them home or call

a taxi.