Dram Shop Liability Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver who had been overserved alcohol, you may have a claim not only against the driver but also against the establishment or individual who served the alcohol. At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, our experienced dram shop liability injury lawyers advocate for victims in Georgia and South Carolina crashes caused by intoxicated drivers.

What Is Dram Shop Liability?

Dram shop liability refers to the legal responsibility that bars, restaurants, convenience stores, social hosts, or other alcohol servers may have when they serve alcohol to someone who is underage or visibly intoxicated—and that person then causes harm to others. In both Georgia and South Carolina, victims can hold these parties accountable in addition to suing the intoxicated driver.

Georgia Dram Shop Laws

In Georgia, the Dram Shop Act (O.C.G.A. § 51‑1‑40) allows innocent victims—drivers, passengers, pedestrians, even occupants in the intoxicated driver’s vehicle—to sue alcohol retailers or social hosts if:

1. They willfully or knowingly served alcohol to a minor (under 21) or to someone who was noticeably intoxicated,

2. They knew or should have known the person would soon drive, and

3. That service was a proximate cause of the accident and resulting injury or damages.

Importantly, the driver who consumed the alcohol and their family members are barred from bringing dram shop claims—but third-party victims are not.

South Carolina Dram Shop Liability

South Carolina does not have a standalone dram shop statute but allows victims to pursue claims under common-law dram shop or social host liability. To succeed, plaintiffs must show that:

• A licensed establishment or social host knowingly or negligently served alcohol to a minor or visibly intoxicated person,

• The person later drove and caused an accident, and

• The service was a direct cause of the victim’s injuries.

Courts have affirmed that bars, restaurants, and even private hosts can be held liable when they overserve or serve underage individuals.

Typical Defendants in Dram Shop Cases

• Commercial entities: bars, nightclubs, restaurants, convenience and liquor stores, sports stadiums

• Private hosts: individuals who serve alcohol at parties, weddings, or tailgates

• Responsible individuals: bartenders, servers, owners, party hosts, event organizers

Why You Need a Dram Shop Liability Injury Lawyer

• Identify all responsible parties, not just the at-fault driver

• Gather evidence: surveillance video, receipts, witness statements showing intoxication

• Prove knowing or negligent service: that the server should have realized the person was drunk or underage

• Establish that service led to the crash, directly linking it to your injuries

• Hold negligent parties accountable, whether commercial establishments or private hosts

Compensation Available in Dram Shop Cases

You may recover:

• Medical expenses (current and future)

• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

• Pain, suffering, emotional trauma

• Vehicle damage or property loss

• Punitive damages in egregious cases

Combined intoxicated driver and dram shop claims can result in greater compensation and a measure of justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can bring a dram shop claim in Georgia and South Carolina?

Only injured third parties—passengers, other drivers, pedestrians—can bring dram shop suits. Drivers who consumed the alcohol and their families cannot.

Is serving a tippler enough to trigger liability?

Not necessarily. To qualify under dram shop law, the server must have served alcohol to someone underage or someone visibly intoxicated, knowing they would shortly drive.

Can friends or parents be held liable?

Yes. In Georgia and South Carolina, private social hosts may face liability if they knowingly serve intoxicated individuals or underage drinkers who later drive and cause harm.

How long do I have to file a dram shop lawsuit?

Time limits follow the standard personal injury statute—usually two years from the date of the accident in both Georgia and South Carolina.

Why Choose Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys

• Deep expertise in dram shop and social host liability cases

• Locally trusted by victims across Georgia and South Carolina

• Aggressive representation to maximize your compensation

• Compassionate support during your recovery