Every State’s Dram Shop Law, Explained

Every State's DRAM SHOP LAW, EXPLAINED Can you sue a bar after an alcohol-related accident? IN 35 STATES and the District of Columbia, bars and restaurants can be held accountable for serving alcohol illegally. That means: SERVING "VISIBLY SERVING If patrons who were illegally served MINORS INTOXICATED" alcohol go on to injure innocent PATRONS people, the establishment can be held accountable for a victim's damages. In Mississippl, evidence that a patron was "visibly Intoxicated" is required for both adults and minors. Bars can't be held llable for Injurles caused by minors who were not visibly Intoxicated when they were served alcohol. WA MT ME OR VT NH ID NY MA CT RI IA PA NJ UT IL IN OH CO MO KY NC TN AZ OK NM AR SC MS AL FL where adult patrons are concerned, Florida State statute restricts cases to injuries caused by "habitually In Mississippl, evidence that a patron was "visibly intoxicated" is required addicted" drinkers. for both adults and minors. Bars can't be held llable for Injuries caused by minors who were not visibly intoxicated when they were served alcohol. Other states limit dram shop liability to cases in which minors were served alcohol. WI NE NV CA NC In California, dram shop cases are only allowed If a llcensed establishment continued to serve an "obvlously Intoxicated" minor. GEORGIA Georgia's dram shop law is very specific. For a licensed establishment to be held liable, the server must have "knowingly" served alcohol illegally and also known that the patron would have been driving a car soon. MICHIGAN In Michigan, accident victims have every right to file a dram shop lawsuit, but they must name the intoxicated patron, either minor or adult, as a defendant in the same action. TEXAS Unlike other states, Texas defines "minor" as someone under the age of 18, at least for the purposes of dram shop lawsuits. Over 18, a server must have served a patron who was "obviously intoxicated to the extent that [they] presented a clear danger to [them]selves and others" for liability to apply. Currently, 7 states do not recognize dram shop liability, even when minors were served alcohol. SD WY DE VA KS Designed by DramDUILawyers.com PROTECTING SURVIVORS EVERY DAY