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What Is Dram Shop Law?
Dram shop law refers to the legislation governing the liability of liquor stores, taverns, and other establishments that serve alcohol.
This kind of law is designed to hold a business liable if it sells alcohol to intoxicated people who cause injury, death, or property damage. It also relates to establishments that illegally and irresponsibly serve alcohol to minors.
In Indiana, the dram shop act allows an individual who is injured in an accident caused by somebody who was irresponsibly served alcohol by an establishment to file a lawsuit against that establishment.
Types of Dram Shop Cases We Handle in Lake County
Dram shop law cases can be directed in different ways. Our Indiana dram shop lawyer team handles all types of liquor liability cases, including third-party claims filed by injury victims and cases involving both commercial establishments and social hosts. Let's take a look at the types of dram shop cases that you should be aware of.
- Establishment liability cases: These involve bars, restaurants, or liquor stores that serve alcohol to someone already visibly intoxicated. If that person later causes a crash, injury, or property damage, the establishment can be held liable.
- Social host liability cases: A private individual who continues serving alcohol to a clearly drunk guest at a party may be responsible if that guest later injures someone or causes property damage while intoxicated.
- First-party cases: Filed by the person who was served alcohol, these are rare and hard to win since adults are generally held accountable for their own drinking. However, minors may succeed if served unlawfully and harmed as a result.
- Third-party cases: The most common type, filed by someone injured by a drunk person. The plaintiff must show the server or establishment knowingly provided alcohol to someone already intoxicated.
Fight for the Dram Shop Compensation You Deserve
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Injuries Caused by Dram Shop Negligence in Northwest Indiana
There are two common kinds of dram shop injuries, though any injury caused as a result of an individual being over-served alcohol may be pursued in the courts.
Drunk Driving Injuries
Injuries caused by an intoxicated person driving a vehicle are commonly pursued by lawsuits. Drunk driving accidents caused by over-served patrons commonly result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Head trauma from crashes causing memory loss, cognitive issues, personality changes, and long-term disability.
- Back and neck cord injuries: Damage leading to paralysis, loss of sensation, and permanent mobility limitations.
- Broken bones and fractures: Multiple breaks requiring surgery, prolonged recovery, and lasting pain or reduced function.
- Internal organ damage: Injuries to vital organs like the liver or spleen causing internal bleeding and requiring emergency surgery.
- Severe lacerations and burns: Deep cuts or burns needing reconstructive surgery and leaving lasting scars or disfigurement.
- Wrongful death: Fatal crashes caused by over-service, leaving families grieving and pursuing justice for their loved one.
Our Crown Point dram shop attorney holds negligent bars accountable for serving visibly impaired drivers, securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and wrongful death cases. We also handle pedestrian accidents related to intoxicated individuals.
Injuries from Violence and Assault
Injuries caused by violence may be a result of an intoxicated person violently attacking somebody in or outside of a bar or other establishment, but these injuries may also affect innocent bystanders when a fight gets out of control.
Injuries from violence involving over-served individuals commonly include:
- Facial fractures and dental injuries: Broken jaws, cheekbones, or teeth from punches, often needing reconstructive dental care.
- Concussions and head trauma: Brain injuries from being struck or knocked down, leading to lasting cognitive issues.
- Stab wounds and lacerations: Deep cuts or punctures from bottles or weapons, often requiring surgery and leaving scars.
- Broken bones and joint injuries: Fractures, torn ligaments, or dislocations from violent altercations.
- Eye injuries and vision loss: Eye damage from blows or thrown objects, sometimes causing permanent vision loss.
- Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, or depression after violent incidents, requiring ongoing therapy.
Violence in bars often harms innocent bystanders when fights escalate. Our lawyers hold establishments liable for over-serving alcohol and failing to maintain proper security.
Indiana Dram Shop Laws and Requirements
Dram shop laws vary by state, and there are some key differences in Indiana that you should be aware of. As with all other states, dram shop laws in Indiana are designed to provide legal relief for victims of alcohol-related incidents.
Under Indiana dram shop law, specifically Indiana Code § 7.1-5-10-15.5, any person who “furnishes” alcohol to somebody already intoxicated — meaning they sold, served, or gave the alcohol to that person — may be responsible if that person harms somebody else. However, in order to be held liable, the following two conditions must be met:
- The person who provided the alcohol must have known that the individual was already intoxicated when they served it.
- The intoxication of the individual in question must have been a foreseeable cause of the accident, crime, or injury.
Indiana law doesn't distinguish between social hosts who provide alcohol for free and vendors who sell alcohol, meaning civil liability for injuries may be extended to anybody who provides alcohol in a public or private place.
Indiana's statute of limitations requires that any lawsuit must be filed within two years of the injury occurring. Missing this deadline typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation, making it critical to contact our Indiana dram shop lawyer promptly after an alcohol-related injury.
Compensation Available in Indiana Dram Shop Cases
Victims injured by over-served intoxicated individuals deserve full compensation. Indiana law allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages for liquor liability negligence.
Dram shop cases are about more than financial recovery — they’re about justice and responsibility. When bars, restaurants, or social hosts choose profit or carelessness over safety, innocent people pay the price. Our Crown Point dram shop attorneys fight to ensure victims receive the full compensation they deserve for their losses and to hold negligent establishments accountable under Indiana law.
How Our Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help in a Crown Point Dram Shop Case?
If you're pursuing justice after experiencing an injury or loss of life in a drunk driving accident, Stracci Law Group has the advanced knowledge to solve your case.
By combining the talents of our excellent team of lawyers and building on our experience of successfully representing thousands of clients, we'll examine your case and determine the best step forward for you to obtain justice.
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