Letter: Stay safe, lawsuit-free Mardi Gras

Dear Editor,

Thinking of throwing a parade-watching party this Carnival Season? Beware: getting too caught up in Mardi Gras madness could leave you in a legal lurch.

Lawsuits happen all the time for seemingly any reason – but the stakes are raised even higher when alcohol is involved, which is often the case this time of year.

Before you completely throw caution to the wind and “let the good times roll,” make sure you are aware of the legal risks involved in hosting revelers in your home or office.

In our overly litigious society, party planners and hosts need to be familiar with social host liability. This relatively new legal term, coined by personal injury attorneys, refers to the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes liquor to a guest.

Simply put, if one of your guests drinks too much and becomes a party pooper – hurting themselves or someone else – you could be found liable for the damage.

Most people are completely unaware, but this form of liability can apply to almost any situation involving alcohol being poured regardless if the party is happening at a bar, at the office, in your home or on the parade route.

So play it safe this Carnival season with these simple tips:

• For parties in your home, plan transportation for your guests, including designated drivers or cabs for a safe ride home, and have ample and appealing nonalcoholic beverages for your designated drivers;

• For office parties, consider a bus or taxi service for your employees;

• Avoid providing a self-service bar, opting instead for a bartender well-versed in identifying underage and intoxicated drinkers;

• Never ever serve alcohol to underage guests;

• Halt the flow of alcoholic beverages long before the party ends; and

• Take action if a guest does overindulge, arranging for transportation home.

Melissa Landry,

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch