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

In Washington, social hosts can be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated guest. According to the state’s Liquor Liability Law, any person who furnishes alcohol to a minor or a clearly intoxicated person can be held liable for damages caused by the individual. In the eyes of the law, any person who is 21 or over and provides alcohol for a group of people is considered a social host. The law also applies to anyone who serves alcohol to guests in private homes, bars, restaurants, or any other establishment. The law is clear that the social host is responsible for the actions of the intoxicated guest. The law states that if the social host knew (or should have known) that the guest was intoxicated and continued to serve alcohol to the guest, they can be held liable for any damages caused by the guest. In Washington, social hosts are not generally held responsible for the bad decisions of their guests. However, they can be held liable if they have served an intoxicated guest who then causes property damage or physical injury to someone else. The law is also clear that social hosts can be held liable for any damage caused by an intoxicated minor. All social hosts should be aware of the risks of serving alcohol and practice responsible hosting practices.

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