Many years ago, I attended the wedding of a friend. It was fairly small – about 50 guests – and the bride’s mother prepared the food for the reception. Everything went well, the food was very tasty, and the guests and bridal party went home happy. Later that evening, though, I started feeling bad, and it turns out that I, as well as just about everyone who attended, including the bride and groom, had an unpleasant, but not severe, case of food poisoning. I was okay after about a day, but I really felt sorry for the bride and groom, who had to get on a plane early the next morning.
Everyone wants their big day to go smoothly, but accidents do happen. People fall on the dance floor, food sits out too long, maybe someone has a bit too much to drink and gets in an accident. As any personal injury attorney will tell you, the costs for even a minor injury can add up quickly.
If your wedding or reception is held at a commercial venue, you do not have to worry about personal liability for accidents. The owner of the venue will carry liability insurance that will cover injuries to their employees and your guests.
Weddings at Your Home
If your wedding is held in your home, or the home of a friend or family member, their homeowner’s insurance will generally cover injuries to invited guests. This will include food-borne illness if the homeowner prepared the food. Suppose another friend or family member prepared some or all of the food for the wedding in someone else’s home, since homeowner’s insurance covers household members even outside of their homes, the preparer’s homeowner’s policy may cover them if the guests become ill. If you are planning a home wedding, or are preparing food for a reception, it is a good idea to check with your insurance agent to see exactly what is covered.
Weddings outside Your Home
If you or a family member is catering a wedding reception at a location outside your home, like a public park, rented hall, or church, look into purchasing an event insurance policy. A one-time fee will cover the event planner if anyone is injured at the event. Policies may also include host liability coverage if alcohol is served. In many states, if a guest drinks too much, gets in his car, and causes an accident, the host may be held liable for injuries to third parties in the accident. Check with your insurance agent or a local attorney that specializes in injury cases, such as O’Brien and Ford in Buffalo, New York, to find out if your state has host liability for alcohol-related accidents.
Hiring Workers
Workers hired through an agency will be covered by their employer worker’s compensation policy. Any other people you hire for temporary work, such as entertainers, wedding planners, and photographers, are considered independent contractors. Injuries to contractors are covered in the same way as for any invited guest. If you regularly plan or cater weddings as a side business, though, you should know your states’ laws governing worker’s compensation. Hickory worker’s compensation lawyers can help North Carolina residents navigate their state’s regulations. A quick internet search will yield similar firms in your area.
Enjoy Your Day
The time to find out if you are covered for injuries or illness is before an accident happens. With a little research and advance planning, you can cross one item off your list of worries for your home or self-catered wedding.
Photo by Terje Sollie from Pexels
