What is the “dram shop law”?

The “dram shop law” is a set of laws in West Virginia relating to liquor liability. They dictate that if an establishment serves alcoholic beverages to patrons or customers that are already intoxicated, the establishment can be held legally responsible for any injuries, accidents, or deaths that result from the patrons’ intoxication. This reflects the idea that businesses should be held responsible for the safety of the people that they serve. The “dram shop law” also holds that if the conduct of the intoxicated person is partly responsible for the injury, the restaurant or bar can still be held liable. However, the establishment’s share of the liability may be reduced depending on the circumstances. The purpose of the “dram shop law” is to ensure that those who are negligently or recklessly served alcohol will have someone to hold responsible for the consequences. This law also encourages restaurant owners and servers to be more cautious about who they serve and how much alcohol they serve. By holding these establishments responsible, West Virginia is hoping to reduce the number of intoxicated-related injuries and deaths in the state.

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What is the “dram shop law”?

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