In an instant and without warning, a driver under the influence can cause a serious, and oftentimes fatal, car accident. This wreck may change your life, or a loved one's life, forever....more
The holidays are around the corner. For many, that may mean excessive amounts of food, family, friends, and, yes, alcohol. With this in mind, now might be a good time to discuss potential liability when hosting an event....more
Commercial establishments where alcoholic beverages are served (e.g., bars, restaurants) and social hosts who serve alcohol in non-commercial settings may find themselves potentially liable for damage, injury, and/or death...more
New Jersey has consistently been at the forefront in adopting common law and enacting legislation that provides civil remedies for those who are injured by an intoxicated driver. The New Jersey Supreme Court recently expanded...more
On March 14, 2019, the Oregon Supreme Court considered whether the immunity granted to social hosts from suits for injuries sustained by patrons or guests after voluntarily consuming alcohol under ORS 471.565(1) also bars...more
Oregon’s highest court has held that although the state’s “social host” law protects certain persons from liability related to their actions taken as “hosts,” there is no similar insulation from liability for alleged tortious...more
This is a great time of year in North Carolina. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers find time to get together for various holiday festivities—from holiday parties to New Year's celebrations. In addition to food, and maybe...more
Tipsy employees create a slew of risks for employers, and the annual holiday party may be one of the only times in the year when employees have the chance to imbibe together. This doesn’t mean that employers have to be the...more
North Carolina summers are a great time for backyard cookouts and other get-togethers. In addition to food, and maybe some entertainment, hosts often provide beer, wine, or other alcoholic drinks to their guests....more
As Thanksgiving 2017 recedes into a memory, Hanukkah is here, Christmas just around the corner, and a strange slow week between a Monday Christmas and following Monday New Year’s Day. It is the season for office holiday...more
Everyone was having such a good time, too . . . The company was hosting its annual holiday party. The company had arranged to hold the event that Saturday night in a hotel ballroom. Moods were festive, especially because...more
Jim Duncey, the owner of Duncey’s Caps, Inc., decides to hold an employee/significant other holiday party this year with live music and an open cash bar managed by a third-party bartending service. Each employee will get...more
This booklet is intended as a basic guide to host liability, which is the potential for personal and corporate liability for injuries sustained by employees, clients and other persons as a result of alcohol intoxication. This...more
Forget #deflategate, and what the New England Patriots may, or may not have done to balls used in the American Football Conference championship game this year. There's a bigger issue at stake for those planning on throwing...more
My colleague, Doug Hall, wrote about the “Dwight Christmas” episode three weeks ago when it first aired. I agree with him that employers need to be careful with their holiday social events to minimize potential liability. ...more