New Year's party hosts face liabilities

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Throwing your own holiday or New Year’s Eve party comes with some liabilities that could potentially lead to lawsuits if one of your guests becomes a party pooper.

“You should probably be aware that there is a thing called social host liability,” said Jennifer Harris of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.

Party hosts are subject to the same liabilities as bars when it comes to serving guests. Over-serving can come back to haunt whoever is providing the alcohol if a customer or guest is involved in an alcohol related accident.

That is why Harris recommends appointing someone to keep an eye on how much everyone is drinking especially if the party is open bar.

“It is always helpful for somebody to manage the bar or if you are in an office, have a bartender.”

CALA offers the following tips for party hosts:

• For parties in your home, plan transportation for your guests, including designated drivers or cabs for a safe ride home, and have ample and appealing nonalcoholic beverages for your designated drivers;
• For office parties, consider a bus or taxi service for your employees;
• Avoid providing a self-service bar, opting instead for a bartender well-versed in identifying underage and intoxicated drinkers;
• Halt the flow of alcoholic beverages long before the party ends; and
• Take action if a guest does overindulge, arranging for transportation home.

Simon Madera with Triangle Wine and Spirits believes the inflated cover charges and drink prices at downtown bars on New Year’s Eve will lead to more private parties to ring in 2013.

“We had a $2300 sale yesterday,” said Madera.

Social host liability can apply to almost any situation involving alcohol being poured regardless if the party is happening at a private residence, a company outing, or a bar establishment.