Queen’s Homecoming is right around the corner, and the 2026 festivities will take place in Kingston from October 16–18. For students, alumni, Kingston residents, and anyone else coming in from out of town, that means packed house parties, busy streets, and thousands of people celebrating around Queen’s campus.
A time that brings so much happiness and connection, is frequently coupled with unexpected injuries that often could have been avoided. Questions like, what happens if someone falls down your stairs, gets assaulted at your party, or suffers a head injury from a flying bottle on Aberdeen Street are all relevant. And if you’re the person who gets hurt, what should you do?
With Kingston introducing enhanced Homecoming enforcement measures, it’s worth understanding how Ontario personal injury law applies before the celebrations begin.
Here are some general Do’s and Don’ts for homecoming weekend, whatever your involvement may be.
Hosting a Homecoming Party?
Under Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act, people who control a property generally have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. That duty extends to tenants who are renting a student house, not just the homeowners.
If you’re hosting a Homecoming party, here’s how to reduce the risk of someone getting hurt.
DO:
DON'T
- Keep stairways, entrances, and exits clear;
- Fix or warn guests about broken steps, loose railings, and other hazards;
- Limit attendance to a number your property can safely accommodate;
- Address aggressive behaviour before it escalates;
- Keep an eye out for excessive intoxication; and
- Make sure guests can leave safely.
- Allow overcrowding on balconies, decks, or staircases;
- Ignore dangerous behaviour because everyone is celebrating;
- Block exits with furniture, DJ booths, or drinking tables;
- Facilitate an environment for guests to become over intoxicated; and
- Become over intoxicated yourself;
It would be false to assume that you cannot be sued because you’re renting a student house and that guests automatically assume the risk of personal injury when entering your property. Our article on Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act explains how responsibility for unsafe premises is assessed.
Could You Be Liable if Someone Gets Hurt at Your Party?
Potentially. But an injury occurring at your party doesn’t automatically make you responsible. For example, if you knew a stair railing was broken, failed to warn guests, and someone fell, you could face a negligence claim.
Alcohol-related injuries are more complicated. Canadian courts have generally been reluctant to impose liability on private social hosts simply for providing alcohol. But as explained in our article on social host liability in Ontario, liability depends on various factors including foreseeability, control, and the circumstances of the gathering.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of relevant factors a Court may take into consideration in regard to a social host liability analysis:
- Was alcohol being served or were guests asked to bring their own;
- How many people were at the party;
- Was their underage drinking, drug use, or other risky behaviors that were condoned;
- What knowledge did the host have regarding the degree their guests’ intoxication; and
- Did the host continue to serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated guests.
Such relevant factors will be assessed, but the important distinction is between someone getting hurt at your party and someone getting hurt because you failed to take reasonable precautions.
What Should You Do If You're Injured at Queen's Homecoming?
Whether you’re injured at a house party, on a Kingston sidewalk, or during a crowded street gathering, your actions afterward matter.
DO
DON'T
- Get medical attention: some injuries, including concussions, may not be immediately obvious;
- Document the scene: photograph broken stairs, slippery surfaces, overcrowding, or other hazards;
- Collect witness information: names and phone numbers may become important later;
- Report the incident: notify the property occupier and contact police if an assault or criminal offence occurred; and
- Keep records: save medical documents, receipts, photographs, texts, and evidence of missed school or work.
- Ignore symptoms because you’ve been drinking;
- Delete videos or messages related to the incident;
- Post accusations or speculative accounts on social media;
- Assume that signing a waiver or attending voluntarily eliminates every possible claim; and
- Wait until evidence disappears before investigating your legal options.
Our guide to injuries at Ontario festivals discusses similar issues involving crowds and unsafe conditions.
What Can We Learn from the University of Guelph's Homecoming?
On September 26, 2026, Guelph’s Homecoming demonstrated how quickly large celebrations can become unsafe. Global News reported that various objects such as glass bottles, bricks, and pipes were thrown into crowds, and emergency responders were sent to treat injuries, while police deployed tactical officers.
For anyone attending homecoming, the lesson is practical: crowd size, alcohol, drugs, unsafe premises, and aggressive behaviour can create serious injury risks.
What Should You Remember Before Homecoming Weekend?
If you’re hosting, inspect your property, manage the crowd, and respond to hazards. If you’re attending, know your surroundings, be responsible with your consumption and document any injury promptly.
Ontario’s Limitations Act, 2002 generally establishes a two-year limitation period from discovery of a claim, but exceptions and shorter notice deadlines may apply.
If you have questions about a personal injury claim in Kingston, the team at Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers is pleased to help. Schedule a free consultation to better understand your options.
