Party Poopers

Published in Coffs Coast News of the Area on 15 May 2026.

After moving into a new home and undertaking a range of renovations and landscaping work, Gary decides to celebrate by throwing a garden party.

Invitations are sent out a month before the event via a Facebook event post. Gary invites 40 guests.

The invitation advises that the party would be on Gary’s property, both indoors and outside, and that there would be entertainment, food and alcohol provided. Importantly, the invitation also states that Gary’s pet dog would be present.

One of the guests asks Gary if he can bring his pet dog along. Gary, a self-confessed animal lover, agrees and the event proceeds with 37 attendees and a guest dog.

The party commences around 2PM and Gary’s guests are having a good time, until at around 5PM, the two dogs start chasing each other around the garden and unfortunately knock over a female guest, Helen.

Gary believes the fall was “gentle” and observes that “she landed on her bottom, without even spilling her wine”.

Sadly, Helen is subsequently taken to hospital by her husband and it is discovered that she suffered a fracture to her lower leg.

Gary attempts to check in on Helen’s welfare during the following couple of weeks, but is met with single sentence texts, and ultimately silence.

Helen seeks legal advice and is informed that she can make a claim for compensation with respect to pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of earning capacity.

When Gary receives a letter from Helen’s lawyers, claiming over $500,000, he immediately engages his home insurance provider.

Witness statements are exchanged, indicating Helen had appeared “unwell” before the incident, and despite recognition of her condition, she attended the party and was observed drinking wine in the sun where the incident occurred.

Three years later, the claim is settled and Gary’s insurer pays Helen $120,000.

Beware, property owners and occupiers: Check the provisions of your insurance policies.

Email Manny Wood, Principal Solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates at TB Law at [email protected] or call him on (02) 66 487 487. This fictional column is not legal advice.