Dram Shop Liability

What Are Georgia Dram Shop Laws?

Dram shop laws make it possible to hold certain people or businesses responsible for injuries caused by an intoxicated person. Dram shop laws typically apply to:

• Bars, restaurants, night clubs, convenience stores, liquor stores, grocery stores as well as concert and sports venues.
• Waiters, party hosts, and other alcohol servers.

A lawsuit brought against one of the above individuals or businesses typically happens when they have served alcohol to a patron or guest, and that person injures someone else. For example, if a restaurant patron is served alcohol when he is visibly intoxicated, then drives a car and kills someone on the way home, the restaurant can be sued for damages. The victim can bring a civil action against the server and the owner of the restaurant. The purpose of dram shop laws is to prevent the selling of alcohol to individuals who are visibly impaired or to minors, and hold them liable for someone's injuries if they violate these laws.

What Must Be Proven in a Georgia Dram Shop Case

A plaintiff suing another person or entity under Georgia dram shop laws must prove—

• Alcohol was served to the patron by the bar, restaurant, alcohol retailer, or even a host at a private party.
• There is evidence that the server of alcohol noticed or should have noticed that the patron was intoxicated when serving him with alcohol.
• There was also knowledge that the patron would soon be driving a motor vehicle when being served alcohol.
• The patron caused injuries or other damages to a third party.

Proving fault of the alcohol provider can be a difficult task. The most important questions that arise are how visibly intoxicated the patron was before being served more alcohol, and did the server know that the person was going to drive a vehicle. These issues are also the reason why it is critical for an injury victim to hire a skilled attorney. In order to be successful in a case involving dram shop liability, it is extremely important that sufficient evidence is gathered to prove that the intoxicated person consumed the alcohol on the premises and that the restaurant, shop owner, party host or other defendant, knew that the person was intoxicated.  

There are certain nuances on how to prove that the defendant had knowledge of the intoxication and that the intoxicated person would be driving a car shortly after leaving the premises.  An experienced Georgia dram shop attorney will be able to investigate all the facts, such as the amount of alcohol served, who served it, and how long the patron was drinking at the alcohol provider’s premises.  

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by an intoxicated person, contact the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers today at (404) 460-0101. Your initial consultation is free, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. We represent injury victims across the state of Georgia, including Atlanta, Marietta, Jonesboro, Columbus, and Athens.