Opinion ID: 1058362
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Dana's Negligence Per Se

Text: Finally, the defendants argue that the trial court erred in directing a verdict as to Dana's fault because Dana was negligent per se in providing alcohol to Brown, a minor, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated sections 39-15-404(a)(2) (2003) and 57-3-412(a)(4) (2002). These statutes make it illegal to furnish alcohol to a minor under any circumstances. We agree with the plaintiffs and with the Court of Appeals that because the allegation of negligence per se is founded on the conduct of furnishing alcohol to defendant Brown, Dana cannot be negligent per se as a matter of law pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 57-10-101. Although violation of a statute constitutes negligence per se, the violation is evidence only of conduct falling below the reasonable standard of care. Cook v. Spinnaker's of Rivergate, Inc., 878 S.W.2d 934, 937 (Tenn.1994); see also McIntyre v. Balentine, 833 S.W.2d 52, 59 (Tenn.1992). Violation of a statute does not establish the element of proximate cause. Thus, a jury may not base its verdict on th[e] per se negligence unless it affirmatively appears that the statutory violation was a proximate cause of the injury for which recovery is sought. McIntyre, 833 S.W.2d at 59 (citing Brookins, 624 S.W.2d at 550, and Barr v. Charley, 215 Tenn. 445, 387 S.W.2d 614, 617 (1964)). Because the defendants assert that Dana's negligence per se is based on the conduct of furnishing alcohol, and because that conduct has been legislatively determined not to be a proximate cause of Jennifer's injuries, Dana cannot be liable on a theory of negligence per se. As we explained in Worley v. Weigels , [w]ith the enactment of [Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 57-10-101 and -102], the legislature made a definite distinction between the basis for civil liability and the basis for criminal liability incident to the sale of alcoholic beverages. These statutes, rather than the duties imposed by criminal statutes, determine the civil liability of the [defendant]. 919 S.W.2d at 593 (emphasis added). The legislature ... is presumed to know of its enactments and the state of the law. Robinson v. LeCorps, 83 S.W.3d 718, 723 (Tenn.2002). Although Dana may be criminally liable for furnishing alcohol to Brown, civil liability is precluded by section 101. In sum, although we hold that the defendants have not waived appeal of the trial court's grant of a directed verdict as to Dana Biscan's fault, we affirm the trial court's decision. The plain language of the statute provides that one who furnishes alcohol, as Dana did here, does not proximately cause the injuries inflicted by an intoxicated person. Under the express terms of the statute, Dana Biscan cannot be found to be at fault for Jennifer Biscan's injuries. Similarly, she cannot be found at fault under a theory of negligence per se, because the required element of causation has been legislatively removed. The decision of the trial court is affirmed.