Liquor Liability

Most states have some form of a Dram Shop Act which seeks to impose civil liability upon one who sells intoxicating liquors to a minor or habitual drunkard and someone has been injured as a result of the intoxication. Florida has codified the law under Section 768.125, which states “A person who sells or furnishes alcoholic beverages to a person of lawful drinking age shall not thereby become liable for injury or damage caused by or resulting from the intoxication of such person, except that a person who willfully and unlawfully sells or furnishes alcoholic beverages to a person who is not of lawful drinking age or who knowingly serves a person habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages may become liable for injury or damage caused by or resulting from the intoxication of such minor or person.” Although actual proof of knowledge is required, Florida does allow both first and third party claims. Our liquor liability team will guide you through the time limit demand and claim investigation. We defend bars, restaurants, liquor stores, gas stations, convenience stores, hotels and other establishments that sell or serve liquor. Our pre-litigation team will lock in testimony of key witnesses and servers and accumulate critical evidence to evaluate all events leading up to the accident, including lab tets and evidence of the toxicology causation history in the 24 hours prior to the incident.

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