Jennifer L. Biscan, et al. v. Franklin H. Brown, et al.

Case Number
M2001-02766-SC-R11-CV

We granted this appeal to determine whether an adult who hosts a party for minors and knows in advance that alcohol will be consumed has or may voluntarily assume a duty of care towards the minor guests. We hold that the defendant adult host had such a duty of care even though he did not furnish any alcohol. We also hold that the trial court did not err in excluding evidence regarding the minor plaintiff’s prior alcohol-related offenses and her prior experience with alcohol and that the trial court did not err in determining that the plaintiff’s sister was not at fault as a matter of law pursuant to Tennessee’s statutory shield for furnishers of alcoholic beverages. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court in all respects. We affirm the result reached by the Court of Appeals on the separate grounds set forth herein.

Authoring Judge
Justice E. Riley Anderson
Originating Judge
Judge Carol L. Soloman
Case Name
Jennifer L. Biscan, et al. v. Franklin H. Brown, et al.
Date Filed
Dissent or Concur
This is a dissenting opinion
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