Charleston Dram Shop Lawyer

The dangers posed to the public by an individual’s decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance are so great that there is a longstanding legal tradition that assigns legal liability to third parties whose negligence contributes to a drunk driving accident. This form of liquor liability law is known as “dram shop” law, because spirits used to be sold in measurements known as drams.

Under South Carolina’s dram shop law, the owners or agents of an establishment that serves alcohol to its patrons must avoid selling to an individual who is intoxicated or on the verge of intoxication. If you have been involved in an automobile accident caused by a drunk driver, an investigation may reveal that a liquor store, bar, or bartender had ample reason to believe that a patron should not be served. Contact the Charleston dram shop lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

Prohibited Sales

Though bar owners may throw their hands up in the air and claim that there was nothing that they could have done differently, this is simply untrue. Proper alcohol service training involves educating employees about how to determine whether or not a customer is sober enough or otherwise suited to be given an alcoholic drink upon request. Hesitancy to offend a patron is no excuse for choosing to serve in the following circumstances:

• A customer is under 21
• An adult of legal age is intoxicated
• The consumption of the drink purchased is likely to bring about intoxication

Contact Us

There is no gray area when you have been the victim of an establishment’s negligent sale of alcohol. Contact the Charleston dram shop lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm today at 843-720-2800 to begin your pursuit of justice.