Holiday Parties: Best Practices for Hosting Special Events at Your Restaurant This Season | Modern Restaurant Management | The Business of Eating & Restaurant Management News

Holiday parties are a great way to build revenue at the end of the year. However, potential liabilities can yield devastating results. The biggest concern is over-consumption of alcohol or consumption of alcohol by minors. This year, more than 1,200 people will likely lose their lives during the holiday season as a result of alcohol-related traffic accidents according to the United States Department of Transportation. An additional 25,000 will be injured as a result of alcohol related accidents according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Underage drinkers will consume between 10 and 20 percent of the alcohol consumed during the 2017 holiday period.

In most states in the U.S., restaurant owners can be held legally responsible for injuries and damages caused by an intoxicated guest or employee.

(With respect to your own holiday parties, you should also be aware of another area of potential liability related to the “Exclusive Remedy" provision of the Workers'…

Michele L. Stumpe, Esq.

A partner at Taylor English Duma LLP, Michele L. Stumpe, Esq. has been representing and assisting businesses and alcohol retailers for more than 19 years. She has also served as a consultant to various governmental entities, trade organizations and major corporations and been an expert witness on alcohol compliance issues.

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Michele L. Stumpe, Esq.