Employer Liability at Company Events

From Memorial Day barbeques, Fourth of July fireworks, Labor Day soirees and Friday afternoon happy hours, summer offers employees and employers many opportunities to bond outside of the workplace. While these events can build morale and strengthen employment relationships, they can also be a hotbed for employer liability.

Did you know that even at such an event a business can be held responsible for the negligent acts of its employees?
From the unstable jumpy gym to the serving of alcohol, liability can attach to the company for negligent acts. Many cases arise where liquor is served at a company party and the employee causes an injury as a result of being intoxicated. Even where liquor is not served, if an employee is injured during a non-work related activity at a company party possible money damages can be assessed against a company based on various legal theories. What should you do?

Many insurance companies offer inexpensive insurance policies for business activities outside the normal course of business. You can also limit certain activities deemed to be potentially hazardous, including the serving and consumption of alcohol.