Brain Injury Attorney Blog

Dram shop is a legal term used for a bar, tavern, liquor store or similar business where alcoholic beverages are sold. Dram shop liability is the law governing the liability of these types of places. Dram shop laws establish the liability of businesses that sell alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated patrons who leave the establishment and injure or kill someone due to alcohol related car crash or some other type of accident.

A party injured by an intoxicated person can sue the establishments that contributed to that person's intoxication. Dram shop law covers many types of incidents, not just car accidents. For example, you could be drinking with a friend at a bar, walk outside and one of you punches the other, the injured party can file a dram shop lawsuit against the bar.

Proving a dram shop case is not always easy. Under South Carolina Law, to prove that a bar is liable in a dram shop case, you must first prove that the bartender negligently served alcohol to a person who appeared to be intoxicated. If someone is at the last bar they plan to visit before going home, they may have only one drink and the bartender may say that the person did not appear intoxicated. There are ways to prove that the person was intoxicated and most likely showed signs of intoxication; however, you will need to hire a dram shop attorney so that he/she can make sure the proper experts are consulted.

A dram shop claim is only part of a case involving being injured or killed by a drunk driver. Dram shop cases are many times complex legal situations that may be very difficult for an unexperienced person to handle. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed by a drunk driver, please call one of the Myrtle Beach dram shop attorneys at The Mace Firm to schedule a free consultation.

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