Are social hosts liable for damages caused by an intoxicated guest?

In New York, social hosts can be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated guest, though the circumstances must meet certain criteria. In New York, a social host is an adult over 21 years of age who provides alcohol to someone under 21 years of age or more than one adult who knows, or reasonably should know, that a person is intoxicated. Under such circumstances, a social host is responsible for any injury or death they cause. When it comes to physical injury or property damage, a social host can be held liable for negligence in furnishing alcohol to a person who is obviously intoxicated or under the legal drinking age. The injured party would need to prove three elements to hold the social host liable for the damages. The first element is that the social host has a duty to act with reasonable care, such as not providing more alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person. The second element is that the social host breached that duty by providing too much alcohol, and the third is that the breach of duty caused harm or injury to the plaintiff. The social host in such a situation can also be held financially liable for damages caused by an intoxicated guest. This includes any medical bills, lost wages, and property damage resulting from the incident. The takeaway is that providing alcohol to someone under 21 years of age or to someone who is obviously intoxicated can result in serious consequences. Social hosts should always be aware of the law and act responsibly.

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Are social hosts liable for damages caused by an intoxicated guest?

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