Dram Shop Liability
Bars, restaurants, or other establishments that serve alcohol, including beer, liquor, and wine, have the responsibility to refuse service if their customers are obviously intoxicated. Signs of intoxication include:
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady when walking, standing, or sitting
- Loud and obnoxious behavior
- Spilling drinks
- Glassy or droopy eyes
There are a number of other indicators that someone has had too much to drink. These indicators cannot be ignored, just as the resulting damage should be addressed. Any establishment that continues to serve a visibly drunk patron should be held accountable if they allow the individual to get behind the wheel and wreak havoc on the road.
What is dram shop law?
A dram shop (or dramshop) is a bar, tavern or similar commercial establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold. Traditionally, it is a shop where spirits were sold by the dram, a small unit of liquid.
Dram shop liability refers to the body of law governing the liability of taverns, liquor stores, and other commercial establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. Within the United States, laws that impose potential liability upon businesses that sell alcohol for injuries caused by their patrons are usually called dram shop laws or dram shop acts
Which negligent parties can be involved in a dram shop liability?
- Caterer
- Concert
- Event Thrower
- Homeowner
- Hotel
- Liquor Bar
- Liquor Lounge
- Liquor Store
- Local Bar
- Negligent Bartender
- Nightclub
- Party Giver
- Reception Hall Owner
- Restaurant
- Serving Liquor to Minors
- Serving Underage Drinkers
- Social Host
- Stadium
- Tavern
- Any Establishment that Sells or Serves Alcohol
Common injuries caused by dram shop liability :
- Amputations
- Ankle Injuries
- Arm Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Bruising
- Burns
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Chest Injuries
- Concussion
- Disfigurement
- Facial and Body Scarring
- Fractured Bones
- Head Injuries
- Knee Damage
- Leg Injuries
- Loss of Hearing
- Loss of Limbs
- Loss of Vision
- Multiple Fractures
- Neck Injuries
- Neurological Disorders
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia
- Permanent Disability
- Quadriplegia
- Shoulder Sprain
- Skull Fracture
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Whiplash
- Wrist Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Taking Legal Action
Intoxication impairs an individual’s motor skills and judgment making it difficult and irresponsible to drive. Continuing to serve alcohol to a drunk patron is equally irresponsible. Those responsible should be held accountable for the harm that results from a drunk driving accident.
The Nigam Law Firm have extensive experience, knowledge and skill in bringing dram shop liability cases before the court on behalf of those who have been injured or died as a result of alcohol-impaired driving accidents. Contact The Nigam Law Firm today for a free case evaluation with a dram shop liability lawyer.
