Can I be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated patron at an event hosted at my establishment?
Yes, you can be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated patron at an event hosted at your establishment in Virginia. This is because Virginia has a Liquor Liability Law which states that it is the responsibility of the seller or provider of alcohol to ensure that no alcohol is sold or provided to any individual who is already visibly intoxicated and that no alcohol is sold or provided to any individual under the legal drinking age of 21. If an establishment fails to uphold these standards, then they can be held liable for damages caused by the intoxicated patron. If a patron of the establishment is over the legal drinking age but still becomes visibly intoxicated, then the establishment can still be held liable for any damages the intoxicated patron causes. The establishment will be expected to show that they did not contribute to the patron’s intoxication, such as by overserving alcohol or serving individuals who are already visibly intoxicated. It is important for establishments in Virginia to follow the Liquor Liability Law to protect themselves from potential liability. This includes ensuring that all patrons are of legal drinking age, monitoring customers to ensure that they are not becoming intoxicated, and refusing to serve individuals who are already visibly intoxicated. Taking these precautions can help to protect the establishment from potential legal action related to damages caused by an intoxicated patron.
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