Drunk at School By Ashli Eckert & Jordin Winger
Relevant Facts The key figures in this case are Jason Hunt, his parents Emily and Barry Hunt, Jason’s football coach James Wilson, and Jason’s classmate, Lisa Kent. Jason Hunt was seen drinking at a high school party and his classmate, Lisa Kent, reported that to his football coach. At the big homecoming game the next weekend, Jason messed up a big play and was injured.
Relevant Facts continued When Jason was injured, the paramedics measured his BAC level, and it read Jason needed surgery and would not be able to play for the rest of the season. Lisa and other teens in the Alcohol and Drug-free teens club exposed that Coach Wilson had known that Jason drank. Jason’s parents found out about the situation and are suing Coach Wilson for negligence.
Additional Relevant Facts Jason was rumored to have a problem with alcohol. Some friends had seen him drink before, and often smelt alcohol on his breath. Coach Wilson also had recognized the smell of alcohol on his breath at practices multiple times before, but ignored it.
Applicable Laws Laws applicable to this case include: “it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drink alcohol”. “It is illegal to sell, give, or provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 21”.
Similar Cases -Holly v. Anytown Hotel: “the defendeant being sued for negligence does not have to know about a particular way in which someone might be hurt or in an accident in order to be aware that there could be an accident.” Coach Wilson found out for sure that Jason had been drinking when he read a BAC of.05 after being tackled and tearing his ligaments in his knee. -Standing v. Janicek/Black v. Ross Inc.: “there may be a duty to control somone who is not your child if you have a special relationship with that person and are aware that the person might be in danger” In the case, it states that Coach Wilson has known Jason since his freshman year of high school. The incident happened in his senior year of high school. -Lu vs. Lopez: “An accident is consered forseeable if a person of ordinary intelligence could see that an accident was possible” Coach wilson had heard rumors of the drinking and even though that he had smelled alcohol himself. He was fully aware that Jason had been drinking.
Laws Regarding Alcohol First offense: be placed on probation Liencse supsensions License restrictions Possiblity of being put in treatment or education program If probation is violated: guilty of class 1 misdemeanor Mandotroy minimum fine of $500 Mandatory 50 hours of community service Supsensions of license for 6 months to a year Drinking on school propoerty: up to $1,000 in fines Could spend up to 6 months in jail
Outcome As the outcome of the Hunt vs Wilson case, Coach Wilson should be sued for negligence. Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing something. Coach Wilson was very aware of Jason’s drinking and took his action to not do anything about it. This led to the injury of Jason Hunt. As an adult, he should have talked with it to Jason and taken him off the team. Athletes shouldn’t get special treatment.
Coach Wilson Jason Lisa Kent Mr. and Mrs. Hunt