Are you responsible for the alcohol that you serve?
Yes, you may be held responsible for serving alcohol to a person who is under the age of 21 or for serving alcohol to a person who is habitually addicted to alcohol. Selling or giving alcohol to a person who is 21 years of age or older in Florida does not establish any responsibility or liability for any potential injury that may result. However, a person who willfully or unlawfully sells or gives alcohol to a person under the age of 21 or knowingly sells or gives alcohol to a person habitually addicted to the use of alcohol may become liable for any injury or damage that is caused by the minor or the person while they are under the influence and intoxicated.
What this means is that if you are hosting a party and you serve alcohol to friends over the age of 21, you are not responsible for anything that happens as a result of that person drinking. But if you serve alcohol at your party to people under 21 or to people habitually addicted, then you may in fact be responsible and liable for any damages or injuries that result from the drunken behavior of the people you served.
