Elizarraras
Elizarraras v. L.A. Private Security Services, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
Gilbert, J.
A restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages hires a company to provide security for a dance party one evening on its premises. Two intoxicated minors attend the party and after an altercation, leave. The minors drive away and shortly thereafter are involved in a fatal accident.
Here we conclude the private security company did not breach a duty to the minors and it has statutory immunity under Business and Professions Code section 25602 for failing to prevent a minor from consuming alcoholic beverages.
Plaintiffs Alfonso and Beatriz Elizarraras appeal summary judgment in favor of L.A. Private Security Services, Inc., Jose Angel Bretado, and Federico Amezquita (collectively LAPSS). We affirm.
Facts
During the late evening of April 6, 2000, Sophia Elizarraras, age 15, and Patricia Yvette Castro, age 18, entered Leonardo’s, an Oxnard bar, dance club, and restaurant. Between 400 and 500 patrons were at Leonardo’s that evening for a party. The owners of Leonardo’s engaged LAPSS to supplement the security provided by Leonardo’s employee-security guards.
Sophia and Patricia had been drinking when they entered the club, and during the evening, they consumed alcohol. Near…