(1) A patron or guest who voluntarily consumes alcoholic beverages served by a person licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, a person holding a permit issued by the commission or a social host does not have a cause of action, based on statute or common law, against the person serving the alcoholic beverages, even though the alcoholic beverages are served to the patron or guest while the patron or guest is visibly intoxicated. The provisions of this subsection apply only to claims for relief based on injury, death or damages caused by intoxication and do not apply to claims for relief based on injury, death or damages caused by negligent or intentional acts other than the service of alcoholic beverages to a visibly intoxicated patron or guest.
(2) A person licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, person holding a permit issued by the commission or social host is not liable for damages caused by intoxicated patrons or guests unless the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that:
(a) The licensee, permittee or social host served or provided alcoholic beverages to the patron or guest while the patron or guest was visibly intoxicated; and
(b) The plaintiff did not substantially contribute to the intoxication of the patron or guest by:
(A) Providing or furnishing alcoholic beverages to the patron or guest;
(B) Encouraging the patron or guest to consume or purchase alcoholic beverages or in any other manner; or
(C) Facilitating the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the patron or guest in any manner.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, an action for damages caused by intoxicated patrons or guests off the premises of a person licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, a person holding a permit issued by the commission or a social host may be brought only if the person asserting the claim has given the licensee, permittee or social host the notice required by subsection (5) of this section within the following time periods:
(a) If a claim is made for damages arising out of wrongful death, notice must be given within one year after the date of death, or within one year after the date that the person asserting the claim discovers or reasonably should have discovered the existence of a claim under this section, whichever is later.
(b) If a claim is made for damages for injuries other than wrongful death, notice must be given within 180 days after the injury occurs, or within 180 days after the person asserting the claim discovers or reasonably should have discovered the existence of a claim under this section, whichever is later.
(4) The time provided for the giving of notice under subsection (3) of this section does not include any period during which:
(a) The claimant is under 18 years of age;
(b) The claimant is unable to give notice by reason of the injury or by reason of being financially incapable, as defined in ORS 125.005, or is incapacitated, as defined in ORS 125.005; or
(c) The claimant is unable to determine that the licensee, permittee or social host is liable because the patron or guest who caused the damages asserts a right against self-incrimination and cannot be compelled to reveal the identity of the licensee, permittee or social host, or cannot be compelled to reveal facts that would establish the liability of the licensee, permittee or social host.
(5) A licensee, permittee or social host shall be considered to have been given notice for the purposes of this section if:
(a) The licensee, permittee or social host is given formal notice in the manner specified in subsection (6) of this section;
(b) The licensee, permittee or social host receives actual notice as described in subsection (7) of this section;
(c) An action is commenced by or on behalf of the claimant within the period of time specified by subsections (3) and (4) of this section; or
(d) Any payment on the claim is made to the claimant by or on behalf of the licensee, permittee or social host.
(6) Formal notice of a claim subject to this section must be in writing, must be mailed to the licensee, permittee or social host, or personally served on the licensee, permittee or social host, and must contain all of the following:
(a) A statement that a claim for damages is made against the licensee, permittee or social host.
(b) A description of the time, place and circumstances giving rise to the claim, so far as known to the claimant.
(c) The name of the claimant and mailing address for the claimant to which correspondence regarding the claim may be mailed.
(7) For the purposes of this section, “actual notice” means any communication to a licensee, permittee or social host that gives the licensee, permittee or social host actual knowledge of the time, place and circumstances of the claim, if the communication is such that a reasonable person would conclude that a particular person intends to assert a claim against the licensee, permittee or social host. [Formerly 30.950]
Note: 471.565 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 471 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
Section: Previous 471.553 471.555 471.556 471.557 471.559 471.560 471.561 471.565 471.567 471.605 471.610 471.615 471.620 471.625 471.630 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008