Released on: December 1, 2007, 1:26 am

Press Release Author: Alexandra Lewis

Industry:

Press Release Summary: UK pubs and wine bars need to watch out they don't over-serve
drunk customers, as the increasing threat of US-style liquor liability could lead to
costly lawsuits. Aon's Vine to Wine report warns the sector to monitor trends in US
legislation and prepare for a likely shift in responsibility for customer behaviour.


Press Release Body: UK pubs and wine bars need to watch out they don't over-serve
drunk customers, as the increasing threat of US-style liquor liability could lead to
costly lawsuits. Aon's Vine to Wine report warns the sector to monitor trends in US
legislation and prepare for a likely shift in responsibility for customer behaviour.

Bars and restaurants in the US can be held liable for the harm or crime caused by a
customer, if it can be shown that the bar staff served further alcohol when they
were already intoxicated. Currently, 43 states and the District of Columbia hold
establishments liable for the damage and injuries of a drunk driver. As well as
drink driving, around half of the liquor liability claims are for assault and
battery cases.

The law has been responsible for some significant awards. For example, in 2003, a
restaurant chain paid US$21 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the parents of
two 16 year olds killed by a drunk driver who had been drinking in one of its
Louisville diners. In the UK, meanwhile, victims believed offenders to be under the
influence of alcohol in 44% of violent incidents, illustrating the extent of the
problem.

While the UK may be seeing more US-style claims hitting its shores, Tony Hills,
business director of Aon Global, doesn't believe it will go as far as it has in the
US. "The UK legal environment is a lot less plaintiff friendly than that in the US,
but there will be some shift towards placing liability with pub owners. There are
already signs that this is happening and this month the government has tightened up
the penalties for serving underage customers, with licensees now facing a fine of
£10,000 and closure for up to three months."

Tony added: "Those establishments with good risk management, effective staff
training and robust corporate social responsibility programmes will inevitably feel
the benefit of their investment with reduced claims and lower premiums."

To protect them from these claims, restaurants and bars in the US take out liquor
liability cover, often as part of the general liability contract, although it can
also be taken out on a standalone basis. In the UK, bars and restaurants will be
covered for alcohol-related claims in their public and product liability policies.
The insurance industry is most wary of claims resulting from misleading or
provocative advertising for bars and alcoholic products.builder\'s
insurance


Companies can prepare for increased liability by implementing the following tactics:

* running alcohol awareness training for employees to learn how to handle tricky
situations;
* communicating the 'enjoy alcohol responsibly' message in advertising and
posters, in line with drinks companies who have effectively anticipated public
concerns;
* using corporate social responsibility programmes as an opportunity to enhance
your organisation's brand
* ensuring you had adequate public and product liability cover in place.

Aon UK is ranked by A.M. Best as the number one global insurance brokerage based on
brokerage revenues and voted best insurance intermediary, offering classic car
insurance, high value home insurance, entertainment and media liability insurance
and builder\'s
insurance.


Web Site:
http://www.commercialservices.aon.co.uk/commercialservices/microsites/construction/


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