Court Opinion

ID: 9593725
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:24:28.618575+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:21.970039
License: Public Domain

JOHNSON, Justice,
specially concurring.
I concur in the opinion of Justice Huntley, except the portion that would apply the ruling only to this case and other causes of action arising subsequent to September 20, 1985, which have not yet come to final judgment. I would apply the ruling retroactively.
*263This decision effectively overrules Meade v. Freeman, 93 Idaho 389, 462 P.2d 54 (1969), insofar as that decision was not modified by Alegria v. Payonk, 101 Idaho 617, 619 P.2d 135 (1980). In determining whether the decision should be applied retroactively or perspectively, we should evaluate “1) the purpose of the decision, 2) reliance on the prior rule of law, and 3) the effect upon administration of justice.” Jones v. Watson, 98 Idaho 606, 609, 570 P.2d 284, 287 (1977).
The purpose of this decision is to make it possible for injured persons or the estates of deceased persons to recover damages from a licensed vendor who served alcoholic beverages to a person who was obviously intoxicated, and who then drove a vehicle while intoxicated, causing the injury or death. By applying this ruling retroactively, this opportunity will be made available to those who have been previously injured, or to the estates of those who have been previously killed, where the appropriate statute of limitations has not already run. This will further our purpose in overruling Meade.
I am not prepared to accept as a reason for not applying this ruling retroactively that some licensed vendors may have relied on Meade as allowing them to serve intoxicating beverages to drivers who were obviously intoxicated. No social or judicial policy would be furthered by such protection. I am prepared to accept that some insurance companies may have relied upon Meade in setting the premium rates for liability insurance issued to licensed vendors. While this reliance is undoubtedly a concern to these companies, their stockholders, and their other policy holders, it is not significant enough, in my opinion, to outweigh the need to provide the opportunity for a recovery of damages under this new ruling.
I am also willing to acknowledge that there may well be cases that will have to be reconsidered because of this decision, or that will be filed that would not have been filed otherwise. In light of the legislature’s action in enacting I.C. § 23-808, which became effective on April 3, 1986, I doubt that there will be a sufficient number of these cases to have a substantial effect upon the administration of justice.
Therefore, I would apply the ruling retroactively.