Alcohol, duty-of-care and common law – where do the consequences of drunken behaviour lie?. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brett, Francesca; Tormey, William
• Is Part Of: Medico-legal journal. Volume 82:Part 3(2014)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Duty-of-care -- alcohol -- common law; Medical jurisprudence -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Crime -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 614.105
• DOI: 10.1177/0025817213520100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-8172

Abstract

Legal issues around the duty of care in common law with regard to addictive legal drugs are evolving. Two recent cases came before the Irish courts dealing with the issue of duty of care of alcohol suppliers to intoxicated individuals. In both cases the intoxication was self-induced and the consequences were lethal. The juxtaposition of personal autonomy and duty of care cannot ignore personal responsibility. Do we need protection from ourselves?