DeLoach v. Mayer Elec. Supply Co.

• Decision Date: 21 December 1979
• Parties: Ronald L. DeLOACH v. MAYER ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY et al. 78-703.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

Page 733

378 So.2d 733

Ronald L. DeLOACH v. MAYER ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY et al.

78-703.

Supreme Court of Alabama.

Dec. 21, 1979.

Curtis W. Gordon, Jr. and William J. Wynn, III of Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, Birmingham, for appellant.

Brittin T. Coleman and Stephen B. Brown of Bradley, Arant, Rose & White, Birmingham, for appellee Mayer Electric Supply Co., Inc.

Thomas B. Huie of Huie, Fernambucq, Stewart & Smith, Birmingham, for appellee Britling Cafeteria Co., Inc.

BLOODWORTH, Justice.

This appeal is from an order granting both defendants' motions for summary judgment, holding that there is no genuine issue of material fact under either negligence or the Dram Shop Act. We affirm.

Defendant Mayer Electric hosted an open house and "New Products Show" on its premises, furnishing soft drinks, mixed drinks, and beer. Defendant Britling catered the show and provided the food, along with soft drinks, bar supplies, and bartenders. Mayer Electric employees had been invited to attend the show, which was held from 5:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. Alphonso Wells, a Mayer Electric employee, "clocked in" on his regular job at 7:03 a. m. and "clocked out" at 7:11 p. m. Thereafter, he attended the show and allegedly became intoxicated from the beverages provided. Upon leaving Mayer Electric's premises, he drove his motor vehicle onto the "wrong side" of Interstate 59, striking plaintiff DeLoach, a police officer on a motorcycle, seriously injuring him.

DeLoach contended that since Mayer Electric and Britling are not in the business of selling liquor, beer, or any intoxicating beverages, and since Mayer Electric and Britling provided the beverages, both had violated the Dram Shop Act of Alabama, the violation of which proximately caused DeLoach's injuries. In addition, DeLoach brought a count against Mayer Electric and Britling based upon common law negligence for furnishing the alcoholic beverages to Wells.

Both Mayer Electric and Britling filed motions for summary judgment. The motions were granted.

The precise issues for our review are whether the Dram Shop Act, Code 1975, § 6-5-71(a), applies in the fact situation presented, and whether DeLoach has a cause of action for common law negligence against Mayer Electric and Britling for disbursing alcohol to Wells.

The Dram Shop Act provides:

" § 6-5-71. Right of Action of wife, child, parent or other person for injury in consequence of illegal sale or disposition of liquor or beverages.

"(a) Every wife, child, parent or other person who shall be injured in person, property or means of support by any intoxicated person or in consequence of the intoxication of any person shall have a right of action against any person who shall, by selling, giving or otherwise disposing of to another, contrary to the provisions of law, any liquors or beverages, cause the intoxication of such person for all damages actually sustained, as well as exemplary damages."

Code 1975, § 6-5-71(a). DeLoach contends that the act is applicable because the alcohol furnished to Wells was furnished "contrary to the provisions of law," ¹ based upon a statutory analysis of §§ 28-3-260(10) and 28-3-1(16) of the 1975 Code, which provide:

"It shall be unlawful:

"(10) For any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association of persons, as defined in section 28-3-1, who has not been licensed so to do under the appropriate provisions of this chapter, to sell, offer for sale or have in possession for sale any liquor or malt or brewed beverages, as defined in section 28-3-1."

"(16) SALE OR SELL. Any transfer of liquor or malt or brewed beverages for a consideration and any gift in connection with or as a part of a transfer of property other than liquor or malt or brewed beverages for a consideration."

DeLoach's contention is that Mayer Electric and Britling are not licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, that they "sold" alcoholic beverages to Wells because there was consideration flowing from Wells to Mayer and Britling in exchange for the beverages, that an unlicensed sale is illegal, and that there is therefore a prohibited act within the meaning of "contrary to the provisions of law" in the Dram Shop Act. DeLoach's claim, then, hinges upon the contention that there was a "sale" to Wells by Mayer Electric and Britling.

It is clear to us, and we so hold, that there was no "sale" to Wells within the meaning of § 28-3-1(16) because there was no consideration present....