Schooley v. Pinch's Deli Market, Inc.

Pinch’s Deli Market, Inc., sold beer to Russell Bowser, a minor,1 without asking for proof of age. Bowser furnished part of the beer to Lori Lynne Schooley, another minor. Schooley drank too much and was injured. The question on appeal is whether Pinch’s can be held liable to Schooley. Our answer is yes.

On August 25, 1989, Bowser’s parents were away, and he had access to their house and swimming pool. He was then 19.

That evening, Bowser and five other teenagers met at the house for a party. Schooley, then 18, was one of the five. She knew the house had a swimming pool, so she wore a swimsuit…