Illinois Mother Sues Miami Beach Hotel After Minor Served Alcohol at Mondrian South Beach Resort
Sade Grant, a resident of Illinois, has filed a civil lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on behalf of her minor daughter. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-27903-MD, alleges that the Mondrian South Beach hotel and its staff acted negligently by serving an alcoholic beverage to the fourteen year old guest on April 2, 2025.
Fourteen Year Old Guest Suffers Illness After Resort Staff Serves Alcoholic Beverage Instead of Virgin Drink
According to the complaint, the incident took place while the minor and a friend were at the hotel pool. The plaintiffs had previously stayed at the resort and safely ordered non alcoholic drinks. On this occasion, they ordered virgin Pina Coladas. The lawsuit states that a server took the order but instead delivered beverages containing alcohol. The minor consumed a portion of the drink before realizing it tasted unusual. The mother then tasted the beverage, confirmed the presence of alcohol, and immediately notified the hotel staff. The complaint details that she wrote a warning not to serve kids liquor directly on the credit card receipt. Following the consumption of the alcohol, the minor developed a severe stomachache, could not keep food down, and began vomiting at the airport while traveling back to Illinois. The plaintiffs allege these symptoms were consistent with alcohol intoxication and ruined their family vacation.
Mondrian South Beach Accused of Negligence and Failing to Verify Age Before Serving Liquor
The lawsuit claims that the hotel and its employees failed to exercise reasonable care when they served liquor to a child. The plaintiffs assert that at no time did any staff member request or check identification before serving the drinks, despite the minor appearing her age. After the incident, the mother sent a detailed written statement to hotel security, but meaningful communication allegedly ceased once legal counsel was retained. The plaintiffs also filed a report with the Miami Beach Police Department. A subsequent claim submitted to the insurance provider for the hotel was denied, with the insurer stating the drinks were prepared according to the specifications provided at the time of the order. The plaintiffs argue this highlights a severe lapse in training and supervision regarding age verification and the handling of drink orders at the property.
Complaint Alleges Negligence Per Se and Statutory Violations Under Florida Law
The legal filing brings multiple counts against the hotel ownership group and the individual server, including negligence, negligence per se, and negligent training and supervision. The plaintiffs argue that serving alcohol to a minor violates Florida statutes designed to protect underage individuals from the dangers of alcohol consumption. By allegedly breaching this duty, the defendants are accused of willful and unlawful conduct under state liability laws. In the alternative, the complaint also includes claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, characterizing the service of liquor to a fourteen year old child without an identification check as extreme and outrageous behavior. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for physical illness, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of their trip.
Contact a Florida Resort Negligence Lawyer if You or Your Child Suffered Harm
Guests who suffer harm due to the negligent actions of hotel staff, including the improper service of alcohol or failure to adhere to safety regulations, may be entitled to compensation under state law. Hospitality venues operating in Florida have a strict legal obligation to properly train their employees, verify identification, and ensure the safety of all patrons, especially minors.
If you or a family member experienced a severe injury or illness due to negligence at a hotel or resort, contact our legal team today to discuss your situation. We can help you navigate the complexities of civil litigation and explore your legal options for recovery.https://holzberglegal.com/contact-us/
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
