Legal Pitfalls To Avoid When Hosting Party At Home

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Hosting a party can be a lot of fun – but not if the party ends with someone getting hurt and the host being responsible for the injuries. The biggest risk associated with hosting a party is that your guests will have too much alcohol. While state laws vary, many states find a host liable if alcohol is served to a minor, the host should have known that he or she was serving alcohol to someone who was obviously drunk, or the host let a drunk person drive. And if a minor hosts a party where alcohol is served, some states will find the parents liable for serving alcohol to minors and for any injuries that occur as a result of the alcohol consumed at the party. If you are hosting a party at home, then be aware of who is drinking alcohol and how much they are drinking. You may be able to avoid liability by not serving alcohol at all or offering transportation for your guests to get home safely. Also, consult your homeowners insurance provider for policy limits and exclusions.