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Friday, October 11, 2013

What Are Dram Shop Laws?

One area of case law that has developed rapidly over the last few decades is the concept of liquor vendor liability. In other words, how much responsibility does a bar or liquor store carry if they sell alcohol to a customer and the customer then hurts someone else in an accident caused by his intoxication?

Dram shop laws are attempts to codify this responsibility. They vary by state, and can be difficult to parse. The accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm understand the precise legal language governing dram shop laws in their states.

Generally speaking, proving negligence under a state dram shop law requires demonstrating that the individual was noticeably intoxicated when the establishment served him alcohol. The exact meaning of “noticeably intoxicated” varies by state.

There are peculiarities to all of these laws. In Texas, for example, those under the age of 21 can actually sue the establishment that sold them alcohol in order to recover damages for injuries they suffered while intoxicated. However, the state also provides dram shop immunity (or “safe harbor”) for establishments that require their employees to attend a “seller training program.”

The accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm will be able to determine if you have a claim under your state’s dram shop law.


If you’ve been hurt and you need an experienced accident lawyer to help you pursue justice and compensation, please contact The Cochran Firm today for a free consultation. 

posted by Admin at 2:31 AM

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The Cochran Firm handles Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense claims for clients throughout the United States of America. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship.Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.

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