A “dram shop” is a historical term referring to any business where alcoholic beverages are sold. A dram is an old unit of measure for drinks. Because of this, laws regarding the over-serving of patrons are called dram shop laws.
These rules establish legal liability for hotels, restaurants, liquor stores, and even bar owners who continue serving liquor to a drunk person who harms a third party. Driving under the influence is a well-known example of an alcohol-related incident with potentially severe consequences.
After suffering life-threatening injuries due to the actions of an intoxicated person, it can be overwhelming to hold the liable party accountable on your own. Fortunately, our dedicated dram shop and liquor license liability attorneys could help you obtain the compensation you deserve. If you are considering pursuing a dram shop case against a bar owner in Media, contact Dan Doyle Law Group today.
Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Laws are outlined in the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, which imposes strict liability on establishments that serve liquor. Under these laws, a bar owner can be held liable if it is proven that their establishment served spirits to a visibly drunk person or a minor who then caused injury or damage because of their drunkenness, such as a fight or car crash.
For a lawsuit to be successful, it must be shown that the intoxication directly caused the injury or damage. The plaintiff must generally prove the following elements:
A reliable Media lawyer could collect the proper evidence to prove that the business proprietor is at fault in their client’s dram shop claim. Schedule an initial consultation with Dan Doyle Law Group today to find out more.
Plaintiffs face several challenges when seeking justice against a bar owner, including collecting the necessary evidence and countering the other side’s defenses.
Injured parties must be aware of how their percentage of fault could affect a damage award. The state follows a comparative negligence standard, meaning that if someone is partially liable for what happened, their compensation will be reduced by that percentage of fault.
In addition, the local statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits requires filing a claim within two years after an incident. Delaying action will jeopardize the injured person’s likelihood of recovering damages.
These cases help to hold establishments accountable for irresponsible actions contributing to preventable tragedies. Since the law can be complex, hiring a hardworking lawyer in Media to handle your dram shop case against a bar owner is critical.
Our laws are designed to provide a path to justice. However, dram shop cases against bar owners in Media are rarely straightforward. These individuals are responsible for keeping their patrons safe while on their property. You might have the right to pursue compensation when they fail their duty of care, resulting in an injury.
Speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Dan Doyle Law Group today to discuss your legal rights and possible courses of action.
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