Undisclosed Settlement - Employee Allowed to Leave Office Party When Intoxicated, Suffers Severe Brain Injury in Car Crash
Employee allowed to leave office party when intoxicated, suffers severe brain injury in car crash during winter storm: Our client worked as the receptionist in an office which threw a Christmas party. Alcohol was served. Our client became intoxicated. Even though a winter storm was underway the employer who had provided the alcohol allowed its employee, our client, to drive home alone. Our client lost control of her vehicle and collided with an oncoming vehicle. She suffered a severe brain injury that left her unable to work for the rest of her life. Because the law imposes an obligation on employers to take care for safety of its employees we sued the employer. After a lengthy trial the court awarded substantial damages to our client. After the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial the case was settled for a substantial, but confidential amount. The publicity generated by this case changed the way employers conduct office parties around the country and encouraged social hosts to take more care to avoid intoxicated guests taking to the road.
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