When planning parties, business owners should be mindful of state laws that hold employers who host a party where alcohol is served liable for injuries caused by the negligent or reckless acts of employees who may leave the party intoxicated.
In the midst of the summer season, many business owners may be planning to host work-related parties where it is common practice to serve alcoholic beverages. When planning parties, business owners should be mindful of state laws that hold employers who host a party where alcohol is served liable for injuries caused by the negligent or reckless acts of employees who may leave the party intoxicated. Laws governing liability for these events are commonly known as "Social Host Liability."
In some states, liability is placed on an employer hosting a social event for injuries caused to a third person by an intoxicated guest or employee based on two theories: 1) a social host has a duty to refrain from serving intoxicating liquors to an invitee/employee who is visibly intoxicated and to prevent an intoxicated employee from driving himself or herself home; and 2) an employer is liable for actions of its employee occurring "in the course of employment."