According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Excessive drinking often plays a role in unintentional injuries and violence. For example, every day 36 people in the United States die, and 700 more are injured, in motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers. The CDC has reported that the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice has said that approximately four in 10 criminal offenders report that they were using alcohol at the time of their offenses, and similarly, nearly four in 10 violent crimes involve alcohol.

In response to the damage that excessive alcohol consumption can inflict on innocent victims, most states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have enacted Dram Shop laws. Originally named for English establishments that served gin by the spoonful, or “dram,” these liquor liability laws protect the public from establishments such as bars, taverns, restaurants, social clubs and liquor stores that sell alcohol to minors or to visibly intoxicated individuals. This means that if you or a loved one has been injured in an incident involving a drunk driver or other inebriated individual, the entity that served that person may be held financially responsible for your damages. Beyond automobile crashes, dram shop liability may apply in cases involving assaults, accidents, bar fights and similar incidents. In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, social hosts may be held liable if they serve alcohol to minors who then injure others. In limited instances, social hosts in New Jersey may also be held responsible for damages caused by inebriated adults.

Accidents or injuries that occur as a result of negligent alcohol consumption simply should not be tolerated. If you are a victim of a liquor violation, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you secure all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include compensation for pain and suffering, financial loss, emotional distress and medical expenses. In some cases, you may be entitled to punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Our dedicated trial lawyers can also help you deal with your insurance company, as well as the insurer of the other party or parties.

At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to helping our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.