Holmquist v. Miller

352 N.W.2d 47, 1984 Minn. App. LEXIS 3234
CourtCourt of Appeals of Minnesota
DecidedJune 19, 1984
DocketC7-83-1919, C7-84-84 and CX-84-371
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 352 N.W.2d 47 (Holmquist v. Miller) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Minnesota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Holmquist v. Miller, 352 N.W.2d 47, 1984 Minn. App. LEXIS 3234 (Mich. Ct. App. 1984).

Opinions

OPINION

PARKER, Judge.

These cases raise questions about the civil liability of social hosts for damages caused by their furnishing intoxicating liquor to a minor. The common questions raised in these appeals are (1) Is an adult, not a commercial vendor, who sells to or procures intoxicating liquor for a minor [49]*49liable under the Civil Damages Act for damages caused by the minor’s intoxication? and (2) Does the Civil Damages Act preempt a common-law negligence action based on violation of a criminal statute barring the furnishing of liquor to a minor? Hemingson v. Gabbert, Ct.App. No. C7-84-84, raises the additional question, (3) Does a negligence action exist for the alleged breach of a duty to prevent a minor brother-in-law from operating a car while intoxicated?

FACTS

In Hemingson v. Gabbert and Knutson v. Barber, et al., the facts are as follows: Barry Barber, a minor, was visiting with his sister and brother-in-law, James Gab-bert. Gabbert knew Barber was a minor. Barber and Gabbert drove to the Woodlake Municipal Liquor Store. Barber gave Gab-bert $2 toward the purchase of a 12-pack of strong beer and Gabbert bought the beer. They returned to Gabbert’s home and drank the beer; Barber drank about six cans. When Barber drove home in an intoxicated condition, he collided with a vehicle driven by Michael Knutson. Both Scott Hemingson and Russell Knutson were passengers in the Knutson vehicle. Gabbert moved for summary judgment in both cases and the trial court granted his motions.

In Holmquist v. Miller, et al., Ct.App. No. C7-83-1919, the Millers held a party at their residence. It is alleged they furnished intoxicating liquor to a minor. The minor left and, while riding as a passenger in a car driven by another minor who had been served intoxicating liquor at the party, fell out of the car. The driver failed to stop although the temperature was below freezing. The minor died one week later.

The Holmquists, as legal guardians, sued the Millers, the driver and his parents, and the East End Bottle Shop of Duluth. The Millers’ motion for summary judgment was denied, but the trial court certified the following three questions to this court under Rule 103.03(h), Minn.R.Civ.App.P.:

(1) When an adult furnishes, or permits to be furnished, alcoholic beverages to a minor in the home of the adult, is the adult immune from all civil liability and responsibility for damages caused to others by the actions of the intoxicated minor?

(2) Does a violation of the provisions of M.S.A. 340.73, which prohibits the giving of liquor to a minor, and which defines such act as a sale, permit a civil suit against the adult who violates that statute, under M.S.A. 340.95?

(3) What effect do the amendments of March 23, 1982, to M.S.A. 340.73 have on the responsibility of a social host who furnishes liquor to a minor, in view of the cases of Cole v. City of Spring Lake Park, 314 N.W.2d 836 (Minn.1982), and Walker v. Kennedy, 338 N.W.2d 254 (Minn.1983)?

ISSUES

1. Is an adult, not a commercial vendor, who sells to or procures intoxicating liquor for a minor liable under the Civil Damages Act for damages caused by the minor’s intoxication?

2. Does the Civil Damages Act preempt a common-law negligence action based on the violation of Minn.Stat. § 340.73 (1982), a criminal statute barring the furnishing of liquor to a minor?

3. Does Hemingson have a cause of action in negligence based on the breach of a duty of Gabbert to prevent his brother-in-law from operating a car while intoxicated?

DISCUSSION

I

The Civil Damages Act is concerned with intoxication which results in injury to the intoxicated person’s dependents or others. Hollerich v. City of Good Thunder, 340 N.W.2d 665, 668 (Minn.1983). It imposes strict liability on those who violate its provisions. The Act provides, in relevant part:

Every * * * person who is injured * * by any intoxicated person or by the intoxication of any person has a right of [50]*50action * * * against any person who, by illegally selling or bartering intoxicating liquors, caused the intoxication of that person * *

Minn.Stat. § 340.95 (1982).

Although Holmquist'does not involve a sale or barter, any procurement of liquor for a minor is deemed a sale under Minn. Stat. § 340.73, subd. 3, and for purposes of this appeal we consider it an illegal sale under the Civil Damages Act.

In its literal language, the Act imposes liability on everyone, vendors and nonven-dors alike. The term “person” is not defined in the Act, other than a reference in another section of Chapter 340 that it includes political bodies, corporations, partnerships, and other unincorporated associations. See Minn.Stat. § 340.07, subd. 9 (1982). However, in interpreting the Act, the Supreme Court has not taken a broad view of “person”. The Court has stated that the Act is designed to “regulate the conduct of liquor vendors.” Hollerich, 340 N.W.2d at 667. See Cady v. Coleman, 315 N.W.2d 593, 595 (Minn.1982); Cole v. City of Spring Lake Park, 314 N.W.2d 836, 839 (Minn.1982); Hannah v. Jensen, 298 N.W.2d 52, 54 (Minn.1980); Robinson v. Lamott, 289 N.W.2d 60, 65 (Minn.1979).

Prior to 1977, the Act had allowed an action against a person who illegally sold, bartered or gave liquor. In Ross v. Ross, 294 Minn. 115, 200 N.W.2d 149 (1972), the Court held that a noncommercial vendor who provided liquor gratuitously to a minor was liable for injury caused by the minor’s intoxication. With full knowledge of Ross, the legislature amended the Act in 1977 by deleting the phrase, “or giving.” Act of June 2, 1977, c. 390, § 1, 1977 Minn.Laws 887; Cole, 314 N.W.2d at 839.

The Court has strongly indicated that social hosts such as the Millers or a procurer of liquor for a minor, such as Gab-bert, are insulated from liability under the Dramshop Act. In Cady, 315 N.W.2d 593, members of a law firm purchased drinks for an insurance adjuster. After the adjuster appeared to be intoxicated, one of the lawyers bought at least one more drink for him. The adjuster attempted to drive home but collided with another vehicle. A suit was brought against the law firm and the contention was that an illegal sale or barter took place. The Court stated:

We hold in this case that the legislature intended to insulate social hosts from liability regardless of the terms under which they provide their guests with liquor. It is illogical to impose liability under the Act upon a social host who sells or barters liquor to a minor or an intoxicated person, but not upon one who gives it away.

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Holmquist v. Miller
352 N.W.2d 47 (Court of Appeals of Minnesota, 1984)

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352 N.W.2d 47, 1984 Minn. App. LEXIS 3234, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/holmquist-v-miller-minnctapp-1984.