Alcohol-related accidents and injuries can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. While most people associate liability with the intoxicated individual, there are cases where a bar, restaurant, or liquor store may also be held responsible.
Dram shop laws exist to hold establishments accountable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated people or minors who later cause harm. If you or a loved one has suffered due to another person’s intoxication, you may need a dram shop lawyer to pursue justice and compensation.
Here are eight situations where hiring a dram shop attorney could be essential.
1. When a Drunk Driver Causes a Car Accident
One of the most common reasons to seek a dram shop lawyer is when a drunk driver causes a serious car accident. If a bar or restaurant served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later got behind the wheel and caused a crash, the establishment may be held liable. Victims of these accidents often suffer from life-altering injuries, property damage, or even the loss of a loved one.
A dram shop lawyer can help establish that the bar or restaurant was negligent in serving the driver. Proving liability requires gathering evidence such as witness testimonies, surveillance footage, and receipts that show the intoxicated individual was served alcohol despite clear signs of impairment. This legal approach can help victims recover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
2. When a Bar or Restaurant Serves Alcohol to a Minor
Serving alcohol to minors is illegal in every state, and if an underage person causes harm after drinking, the establishment that served them can be held accountable. If a minor is involved in a drunk driving accident, physical altercation, or any other alcohol-related incident, a dram shop lawyer can help build a case against the business that supplied the alcohol.
Holding establishments responsible for underage drinking can deter businesses from neglecting their legal responsibilities. A lawyer will investigate whether the establishment checked the minor’s ID and if the staff knowingly served alcohol to someone underage. If negligence is proven, victims may be able to recover damages through a dram shop claim.
3. When an Intoxicated Person Causes a Violent Altercation
Alcohol is known to impair judgment and increase aggression, which often leads to fights and violent altercations. If a bar or nightclub overserves a visibly drunk patron who then assaults another customer, the victim may have a case against the establishment. Dram shop laws allow injured parties to hold businesses accountable for serving alcohol irresponsibly.
If you have been a victim of such an incident, you can hire Solomon Law Group, LLC law firm to file a case against the responsible person and get compensation for your damages and losses.
Their expert dram shop lawyer will work to prove that the bar staff should have recognized the signs of intoxication and cut off service. If successful, you may receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income.
4. When a Drunk Patron Causes Property Damage
Drunk individuals often lose control over their actions, leading to property damage such as vandalism, car crashes, or destruction of personal belongings. If an intoxicated person causes significant damage after being overserved at a bar or restaurant, the property owner may have grounds for a dram shop liability case.
A lawyer can investigate whether the establishment knowingly continued to serve the individual despite clear signs of impairment. If the business is found to be responsible, they may be required to compensate the victim for the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged property.
5. When Alcohol Overconsumption Leads to Alcohol Poisoning
Bars and nightclubs have a responsibility to stop serving alcohol to patrons who show signs of severe intoxication. However, some establishments ignore these signs, leading to dangerous situations like alcohol poisoning. If a person dies or suffers serious health complications due to excessive drinking at a licensed establishment, their family may have legal grounds to file a dram shop lawsuit.
A dram shop lawyer can help prove that the establishment failed to act responsibly by continuing to serve alcohol to an already intoxicated individual. Medical records, eyewitness statements, and bar receipts may be used as evidence to support the case and secure compensation for the victim or their family.
6. When an Intoxicated Individual Harasses or Assaults Others
Public intoxication can lead to harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of inappropriate behavior. If a bar, nightclub, or liquor store overserves someone who later commits an assault, the victim may have a valid dram shop claim against the establishment.
These cases require proving that the business had a duty to stop serving the individual and that their negligence contributed to the attack. A lawyer can collect statements from other patrons, analyze security footage, and review past records of similar incidents at the establishment to strengthen the case.
7. When an Intoxicated Pedestrian Is Injured or Killed
Not all alcohol-related accidents involve vehicles. Some involve intoxicated pedestrians who wander into traffic, fall from heights, or otherwise harm themselves due to impaired judgment. If a bar or restaurant continues serving alcohol to someone who is already too intoxicated to make safe decisions, they may be held responsible if the person gets injured or killed.
A dram shop lawyer can determine whether the establishment should have cut off service and prevented the situation from escalating. Establishing liability in these cases can help the victim or their family obtain financial compensation for medical treatment, funeral costs, and other losses.
8. When an Intoxicated Boater Causes an Accident
Boating under the influence is just as dangerous as drunk driving, and dram shop laws can apply to establishments that overserve patrons who then operate a boat while impaired. Boating accidents can lead to severe injuries, drowning, and even fatalities, making it crucial to hold responsible parties accountable.
A lawyer can investigate whether a bar, marina, or other vendor sold alcohol to an already intoxicated boater. By proving negligence, victims can seek damages for injuries, property loss, and emotional trauma.
You May Also Wish To Read
Lisa’s ‘disruptive’ conduct blamed for staff skipping city meets
Sight of weed leads to $18,000 worth of fentanyl at traffic stop