Man who downed 25 drinks, injured head on sidewalk sues downtown Vancouver bars
A bartender who suffered a serious head injury after downing dozens of alcoholic beverages in a single night has filed a lawsuit alleging he was over-served at a number of downtown Vancouver establishments.
Bradley Roger Johnson said he consumed 25 drinks over a period of about four hours after getting off work at The Kingston Taphouse and Grille on Aug. 23, 2016, including six double vodka sodas and six shots of whiskey.
As he was walking home at the end of the night, he fell backwards on Granville Street and struck his head on the sidewalk, leaving him with a "severe brain injury," according to his B.C. Supreme Court claim.
"Mr. Johnson fell as a result of his extreme state of intoxication," the lawsuit reads.
"There is both a legal and a common law prohibition against over-serving alcohol beverages … a visibly intoxicated patron should never be served more alcohol."
Johnson said his drinking began at The Kingston – a Richards Street bar that has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – where he drank two double-vodka sodas after finishing his bartending shift at around 11 p.m.
About half an hour later, he moved on to Studio, a nightclub on Granville, where he allegedly downed two Strongbow ciders and two shots of Whiskey.
He then headed over to Relish, another bar on Nelson Street, at around 12:30 a.m. and ordered "approximately four 12-ounce Lonetree ciders, a double vodka and soda and a shot of Jameson Whiskey," according to his claim.
The last stop of the evening was back on Granville at The Roxy Cabaret. The lawsuit documents describe Johnson as a "very frequent patron" of the club, who was recognized by the bouncer and four different employees who allegedly served him alcohol.
Johnson ordered and received three rounds, each consisting of a double-vodka soda and a whiskey shot, at three different bars within the establishment, as well as one "further unidentified shot," according to his claim.
The lawsuit alleges he left the bar in a state of "extreme intoxication," and injured himself shortly after.
While in rehabilitation for his head injury, Johnson said he had to rely on his parents and others for support. He's seeking damages for health care-related costs and loss of earning capacity.
None of the allegations in his lawsuit have been proven, and two of the establishments named as defendants, The Roxy and Studio, have filed responses denying Johnson's version of events entirely.
The Roxy said Johnson was not over-served by staff, nor was he visibly intoxicated while leaving the club, saying he had "developed a high tolerance to alcohol” at the time of his accident.
"If the plaintiff was intoxicated at the time he departed The Roxy, which is expressly denied, the plaintiff left The Roxy in the care and company of persons who were, or alternatively who reasonably appeared to be, sober," the response reads.
"The defendants were entitled to assume that the plaintiff's companions would see that the plaintiff arrived safely at home."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.