Unfortunately, drunk driving remains a serious safety problem in our region. A drunk driver can and should be held liable for a crash. Beyond that, other parties—potentially including bars and restaurants—may also be responsible for an accident through a dram shop liability lawsuit. Here, our Philadelphia dram shop liability attorney provides an overview of dram shop liability in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
What is Dram Shop Liability?
Broadly explained, dram shop liability is an area of law that allows victims and families to hold commercial establishments (bars and restaurants) and social hosts (homeowners) legally responsible for the harm caused by an intoxicated person or a minor who was sold or provided alcohol.
An Overview of Dram Shop Laws in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a dram shop liability law (Pennsylvania Liquor Code, Section 4-493(1)). In the Commonwealth, dram shop laws allow people injured by intoxicated persons to hold establishments liable if they unlawfully served alcohol to the intoxicated person who caused the accident. There is a two-year statute of limitations. Liability typically arises if the establishment served alcohol to:
- A person who was visibly intoxicated
- A minor
Social Host Laws in Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, social host liability applies only when serving alcohol to minors—not to intoxicated adults.
An Overview of Dram Shop Laws in New Jersey
In New Jersey, dram shop laws hold establishments such as bars, restaurants, and liquor stores liable if they negligently serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who subsequently causes injury or harm (Title 2A, Chapter 22A). The dram shop laws in New Jersey are similar to those in Pennsylvania, and the statute of limitations is also two years.
Social Host Laws in New Jersey: In New Jersey, social hosts can be held liable if they provide alcohol to both minors and visibly intoxicated adults who later cause harm.
How Quinn Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Dram Shop Law Claim
Dram shop liability claims are notoriously complex. You do not have to take on the claims process against a bar, restaurant, club, or social host alone. At Quinn Injury Lawyers, our drunk driving accident lawyers handle the full range of legal claims, including dram shop liability cases. We are prepared to invest time and resources into your case. Our Philadelphia dram shop lawyer will:
- Listen to your story and answer questions about your legal case
- Carefully investigate your accident—gathering all relevant evidence
- Fight for justice in your DUI accident case, including through dram shop laws
Contact Our Philadelphia Dram Shop Liability Lawyers Today
At Quinn Injury Lawyers, our Philadelphia dram shop law attorney has the skills and experience to help you get justice and the maximum compensation. If you have any questions about dram shop liability, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case review. With offices in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, we handle dram shop liability claims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.