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Alcohol And Wrongful Death Cases | Dram Stop Laws

This month we wrote about the tragic story of a teenaged girl who drowned in a swamp near a high school party after drinking alcohol. Now her mother is suing seven different people for wrongful death, arguing that those who supplied her daughter with alcohol or condoned her alcohol use that night were responsible for her death.

Alcohol is a common factor in a number of wrongful death cases. A person who is drinking alcohol is far more likely to kill someone while driving a car, a truck, a motorcycle, or any other kind of vehicle. Alcohol is also a common factor in assault cases and even murders.

In some cases, states may have “dram stop” laws in which establishments like bars or restaurants that sell alcohol can be held financially responsible for patrons who become intoxicated and then injure others. If, for example, a bar continues to serve a man who is visibly intoxicated and then that man kills someone in a drunk driving accident on the way home, that bar can be held responsible for the drunk driving death. However, although Washington, DC, has dram stop laws, Maryland and Virginia do not have such laws.

If you have a loved one that was killed by someone under the influence of alcohol, you can talk to an experienced wrongful death lawyer in order to learn more about your case. Contact us today.

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