Dram Shop Liability Laws

Dram shop liability laws are laws that hold a bar or restaurant establishment liable in the event of an accident caused by an over-served customer or an illegally-served minor. A dram is an old-fashioned term that refers to a small unit of liquid. A dram shop is a term that refers to a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that sells alcohol.

Dram shop liability laws were designed to ensure that establishments that serve alcohol exercise proper precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. The laws shift some blame from an accident to the establishment that started the problem by over-serving or serving illegally. A bar or restaurant can be held legally responsible for the actions of customers served to the point that they are far over the legal limit or minors served illegally.

If a restaurant negligently serves too much alcohol to a person who is too intoxicated to make the wise choice to refuse the drink, the restaurant can be held responsible for the damages of an accident that person causes later on. In the same way, if the restaurant serves alcohol to someone underage and the minor then causes an accident, the restaurant can be held liable for its negligent actions serving someone who is not legally old enough to make smart decisions while drinking. Therefore, an accident caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol may not necessarily be the fault of the driver.

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The bar or restaurant establishment that originally served alcohol to a customer may share some blame in the event of an accident later on. If you have been charged with a DUI, you need an experienced Rhode Island DUI lawyer who is knowledgeable in all parts of drunk driving law to defend you in court.

Rhode Island dram shop liability lawyer James Powderly has dedicated his practice to defending the rights of Rhode Island drivers. Contact our offices today at 401-662-9006 to discuss your situation and your legal options.