Court Opinion

ID: 9740423
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:35:18.790238+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:18.247033
License: Public Domain

SCOTT, Justice
(concurring specially).
While I am in agreement with the result arrived at by the majority opinion, I must *256respectfully disagree with its reasoning. The majority seems to imply that if Patrick Welin had been given or furnished alcoholic beverages by the Kennedys or if a “special relationship” had existed the defendant may have been found liable for plaintiff’s injuries. Under either theory the ultimate negligent act must be based upon allowing Patrick Welin to drink alcoholic beverages in the Kennedy home. The Civil Damages Act provides the exclusive remedy for injuries resulting from the illegal sale or barter of intoxicating liquors and preempts the field of remedies. A social host cannot be liable under the Civil Damages Act. As we stated in Cole v. City of Spring Lake Park, 314 N.W.2d 836, 840 (Minn.1982), “the specific removal of the word ‘giving’ is legislative activity which we interpret here as intent to preempt a Civil Damages Act or common-law remedy against social hosts.” Thus, the majority’s statement that liquor was not given or furnished is correct, but is misleading. This case should be decided upon the exemption of social hosts from liability under the Civil Damages Act.