California’s high court has ruled that hosts who charge admission to parties may be held legally responsible if a drunken underage guest is hurt or injures someone else.
The state Supreme Court said in the unanimous ruling Monday that a cover charge amounts to a sale of alcohol, and state law creates liability for those who sell alcohol to obviously intoxicated minors.
The case stems from a 2007 party organized by then-20-year-old Jessica Manosa at a rental home owned by her parents. Nineteen-year-old Andrew Ennabe died after being hit outside the home by a car driven by another man who had been asked to leave the gathering.
Ennabe’s family sought to hold Manosa liable for his death, through her parents and their homeowners insurance.
Manosa’s attorney declined to comment.
Topics California
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Cost of a Data Breach Reaches Record $5 Million on Average 
Why El Niño’s Promise of Quieter Hurricane Season May Not Be Good News for Insurers 
CBIZ Brokerage to Be Spun Off, Backed by Private Equity, After $5B Grant Thornton Deal 
Brown & Brown Estimates Cost of Howden-Driven Talent War Could Hit $60M in 2026 
