Reference no: EM133338208

The Steveston Hotel operates a pub in Richmond, B.C. On June 12, 1999, Harry Thomas McWilliams was drinking at the pub and was grossly intoxicated. He was permitted to consume alcohol while in the bar. His acquaintance, Robyn Strang, a 17- the year-old girl described him as "really, really drunk". She asked other patrons and the bar staff for help in finding McWilliams a safe ride home. She specifically told the  doorman that Mr. McWilliams was drunk and needed to find someone to drive his car for him. Strang said she yelled "at the top of her lungs": "is anyone going to help me find someone to drive his car for him?" No one offered to help. When she couldn't secure a ride for him, McWilliams left the establishment driving his own car. When he left, he was staggering.

What happened next was a tragedy. On the way home, he drove into a crowd of youths gathered in the street, injuring five people. One victim's head crashed through the car windshield; another victim is brain-damaged and needs permanent professional care. Just 24 years old at the time, the victim is unlikely to ever work again. The settlement with the accident victims was probably in the millions of dollars. The driver, McWilliams, had a blood alcohol reading of more than twice the legal limit.

1. This was a civil case. Explain what branch of the law falls under and what a civil case means.

2. Who is responsible for this tragic accident, in your opinion? Do you think the Hotel is responsible? If so, what % of the responsibility is theirs?

3. Could the Hotel's staff (such as bartenders, and concierge staff) have done anything to prevent this accident?

4. If you become a general manager for a restaurant, bar, or pub, what processes/policies/protocols would you put into place to prevent this from happening in your establishment?