Bosse V. Brinker Restaurant Corporation

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In the case Bosse v. Brinker Restaurant Corporation, from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, outlines a court case between two teenagers Bosse and Griffin who were injured in a car crash after a Chili’s patron followed the teens out after they dodged their tab. This case primarily focuses on whether or not this patron, who remained unidentified after fleeing the scene once the teens crashed into a brick wall, was an agent of Chili’s restaurant. The article noted that the man who chased after the teens, in no way identified with the restaurant: “The patron’s car was unmarked; it bore no Chili’s insignia. He wore civilian clothing and no uniform or other insignia of employment at Chili’s.” The only interaction other than the chase he had with the …show more content…

The court ruled that in order for the parton to be acting with agency: “First Chili’s must have consented to the action of the patron in its behalf.... Second, Chili’s must have retained control, or the right of control, over the physical conduct of the patron in the performance of the pursuit… Third, the conduct of the agent must serve the benefit or further the interest of the principal.” The first burden lays the foundation on whether or not Chili’s agrees to the actions of the patron. Since Chili’s never established a partnership with the patron and only took the information about the car chase, from the patron, to inform authorities, they never consented to the person being an agent. An argument could be made that the teens believed that this patron was an implied agent since he was working in the benefit of Chili’s but seeing that this person yields no connection to the restaurant other than his frequent visits, there is not enough evidence to reason he was an implied agency. The most likely agency that could have been established is through apparent agency. Chili’s could have said the patron was their agent, during the car pursuit. Seeing that they did not want this car chase to begin with, it would never

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