A Minor Hazard: Social Hosts Liability in Washington after \u3ci\u3eHansen v. Friend\u3c/i\u3e

In Hansen v. Friend, the Washington Supreme Court held that a host who furnishes alcohol to a minor in a social setting is liable for all resulting injuries to the minor. In reaching this result, the court limited the cause of action to minors, denying all third parties injured by intoxicated minors a claim against social hosts. Additionally, the court allowed intoxicated minors to bring an action for injuries resulting from any type of hazard they encountered while intoxicated. This Note examines the Hansen decision and proposes that, given the court\u27s decision to impose civil liability upon hosts, the court should extend a cause of action to third parties but limit liability to injuries resulting from automobile accidents