Three Common Questions About Liquor Liability and Dram Shop Cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

by Daniel J. O'Brien [email protected]

Published: 6/12/12

As summer approaches, there are more outdoor happy hours, more outdoor parties, and bars and clubs in the City and at the Jersey shore are packed with patrons ready to party and drink.  There is nothing wrong with drinking, but we all know that alcohol is often associated with unpleasant incidents.

Most people do not realize that many of these alcohol-related incidents result in liquor liability and dram shop cases.  Further, injured victims often do not realize they have a liquor liability case.

Below are 3 questions I often get from clients who are involved in liquor liability or dram shop cases.

1.  Are liquor liability cases limited to car accidents?

Most of the time when we think about liquor liability cases, we only think about motor vehicle accidents.  In fact, liquor liability and dram shop cases involve all sorts of other scenarios.

These cases can involve fights in restaurants, bars, or parties.  Sometimes, the cases involve situations in which young people are served so much alcohol that they suffer permanent or even fatal injuries from the alcohol itself.

Other situations involve young people being served excess alcohol so that they can't defend themselves and become victims of assaults or sexual assaults.

2. Where do liquor liability and dram shop cases happen?

Liquor liability and dram shop cases do not just originate at people's homes or at bars and restaurants, but they can also happen at places like colleges, and more specifically in fraternity or sorority houses.

3. Who are the responsible parties in liquor liability and dram shop cases?

The responsible parties in these cases do not just include people who host parties at their homes or establishments, such as bars and restaurants.  Liable parties can also include other establishments such as:

• colleges and universities,
• hotels,
• wedding halls,
• conventions centers, and
• even companies that host office parties.

Related Articles:

• What are liquor liability cases? Are there different types?

• NJ Law On Social Host Liability Can Turn A Graduation Into A Nightmare|NJ & PA Liquor Liability Lawyers

If you were injured in an alcohol-related accident and want to know whether you have a liquor liability or dram shop case, it is important that you discuss the circumstances of your accident with an experienced Pennsylvania or New Jersey liquor liability attorney. Feel free to contact us for a free no obligation consultation at 877.944.8396.