Dram Shop Cases

Georgia Dram Shop Laws

A dram shop law allows you to hold third parties liable for the harm caused by drunk drivers. In Georgia, the law only applies to specific situations involving drunk patrons and alcohol vendors, like bars, grocers, restaurants, and convenience stores.

An alcohol vendor can be liable under the dram shop law if it:

• Knowingly sold or provided alcohol to someone who was a minor; or,
• Knowingly sold or provided alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated; and,
• Should have known the patron would soon operate a motor vehicle.

For example, Jim goes to a restaurant for dinner alone. He orders many drinks from the server until he starts to slur his words and looks woozy. When finished with his meal, he gets in his car and causes a wreck on the way home. The restaurant could be liable under the dram shop law because the server should have known he had become intoxicated and had reason to understand that he drove there himself, so he would have to drive himself home later.

Can A Social Host Be Held Liable?

Social hosts can also be held liable under a social host liability law in Georgia, which is technically just an extension of the dram shop law. Under this rule, a social host can be held partially liable for a drunk driving accident if they knowingly gave alcohol to a minor or a noticeably drunk guest.

Social hosts can be loosely defined as:

• Family members
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Employers
• Party hosts
• Anyone who serves alcohol for recreation

It can be a challenge to hold an alcohol vendor liable under Georgia’s dram shop law. Holding a social host liable can be an even greater challenge, though. The social host defendant will most likely argue that they could not have known which guest was going to drive themselves home after the gathering or event ended. To overcome this simple yet effective defense argument, you should always pursue a dram shop or social host liability case with the help of a professional attorney.

Statute Of Limitations For Dram Shop Cases

You only have two years to file a dram shop claim in Georgia. This two-year statute of limitations begins on the date that the drunk driver causes a crash. Act quickly to start your case, so you can build it while the details of the accident are still fresh in your mind. Also, if the statute ends, then you likely can’t file a claim at all.

Call Us When You’re Ready To File A Claim

Details of a dram shop case can be complicated from the start. Sort them out with the Augusta dram shop lawyers of Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys. We are here to guide you through your case from start to finish, so you can get the compensation that you need, no matter who owes it to you.

We accept calls 24/7 to help clients right when they need us. Call (706) 719-7177 now.