You want to throw a great Christmas party. You want everyone to have a good time. But let’s face it, if anyone goes to jail, it should be the other guy.
So, know what Alabama law says about having the gang over.
Generally, you are not responsible if your guests have too much to drink and hurt themselves. For example, a cousin falling off the porch doing that funny elf dance.
However, if that same person hurts someone else, our state takes that very differently.
Legal Bottomline: Alabama’s Dram Shop and similar laws will hold you responsible if you serve a drunk person more drinks and they are involved in an accident. In our state, it does not matter if they paid for the drinks or not. Want even more trouble? Lend that intoxicated person your car or a firearm.
Here from Alabama’s Dram Shop law: “Every wife, child, parent or other person who shall be injured in person, property or means of support by an intoxicated person or in consequence of the intoxication of any person shall have a right of action against any person who shall by selling, giving or otherwise disposing of to another, contrary to the provisions of law, any liquors or beverages, cause the intoxication of such person for all damages actually sustained, as well as exemplary damages.”
If you are too drunk to understand that, then sit down, don’t drive, and, my God, don’t touch a gun.
Here is the other legal no-no to your ho-ho. Do not serve alcohol to minors. That is anyone under the age of 21 – even if they are in the military. If trouble happens or they get hurt or hurt others, you will pay and may have to do jail time.
It may sound like I don’t take this issue seriously. Well, I do take it very seriously. If you are unwilling to cut someone off, take away their keys, or make them spend the night, don’t host a Christmas party.
Hopefully, you will never have to be the Grinch in your own home … but you must be ready if needed.
If you suffer from an accident – car, boat, on-the-job, slip and fall, nursing home abuse, etc. – you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie (251) 666-1212. Remember that it is free. We want to help you.
Join us on Sunday night for a shortened NBC 15 LawCall show here in Mobile. We are taking a break during football season but will return to our 30-minute show in January. All this fall, we have been putting aside a few extra hours on Monday mornings to answer any of your legal questions. Just call our office.
Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer