I agree with the first part, but pre WWI was over a hundred years ago. I'm sure there's more relevant and recent examples that could be found to strengthen an argument.
You'd think they'd have tried a better case then. They lost in the court of public opinion as soon as it was about bereavement and their argument that the chatbot on their own site is a separate legal entity they aren't responsible for is pants on head stupid.
In a way, we should be grateful they bungled it and are held liable, other companies may be held to the same standard in the future.
Cheap henchmen?