This is the season for friends and family to celebrate past accomplishments and future opportunities. Before you send out your invitations, though, understand your responsibilities and liabilities as a social host.
If your holiday party plans include adult beverages, remember that alcohol and minors don’t mix. In New Jersey, serving alcohol to a minor or allowing your property to be used for gatherings where alcohol could be consumed by minors is a criminal offense with penalties of up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines.
But minors aren’t a host’s only consideration. New Jersey’s social host liability laws say that homeowners can, under certain circumstances, be held liable for injuries suffered by guests.
Alcohol-Related InjuriesUnder State law, an intoxicated person can’t hold a host liable for injuries resulting from their inebriation; however, a third-party injured as a result of negligence on the part of a “visibly intoxicated” guest can seek punitive damages from the host or the host’s insurance company.
Limit your risks by providing non-alcoholic refreshments, offering alternative means of transportation or overnight accommodations, and not serving alcohol to visibly impaired guests.
Non-Alcohol-Related InjuriesState law also says property owners must take “reasonable care” to prevent injuries to visitors. Property owners could be held liable if a guest is injured as a result of a hazard the property owner knew about, or should have been aware of.
Before your party, survey your property and make necessary repairs: clean up loose materials that pose tripping hazards; and provide adequate lighting for steps, walkways and other areas your guests may use.
Pet-Related InjuriesYour pet may be your best friend, but when it comes to holiday parties he might be better off confined to a kennel or an area of your home not accessible to your guests. In New Jersey, dog owners are liable if their dogs injure anyone lawfully on their property, whether or not the dogs have exhibited aggressive behavior in the past.
Here’s to a happy and safe holiday season!
I was very proud to be represented by Tony and felt secure at a time I needed a compass to head out of a difficult bind. Confidence in your counsel and a sense of security in understanding how best to proceed are important reasons to consider Anthony Kearns and his team of outstanding lawyers.
Tony was excellent! He was knowledgeable, responsive and on-time. His experience as a County Prosecutor definitely helped our case as he knows how the legal system works and how to navigate. I highly recommend Tony and his office.
Thankfully I found Kearns Rotolo Law and I had a wonderful experience working with Charles Rifici on a difficult divorce/child custody issue. I am so grateful for all the work and guidance he provided. He always took his time and diligently went through all my options with me so I could make the decisions that benefitted my family and I. I will be forever thankful for the top notch services he provided.
In March of 2022 I contacted Kearns Rotolo Law Firm with an urgent problem, Mr. Kearns and Mr. Rotolo contacted me immediately to give me hope as to rectify my problem. The end result was Mr Kearns was able to solve my issue through extreme professionalism, I am very grateful I found Kearns Rotolo Law firm and I would recommend their law firm to anyone that has a less extreme problem or a more complex problem, I am very grateful for their services.
I met with Mr. Kearns yesterday about a devastating situation affecting our family. Mr. Kearns and his entire staff made us feel extremely comfortable and showed our family a compassionate side that gave us comfort in the most uncomfortable of situations. Thank you very much. God Bless.