Florida Dram Shop Liability Laws

Dram shop liability is a legal term referring to the responsibility that establishments that serve alcohol have to their patrons and the general public. If a bar or restaurant serves alcohol to an individual who is underage or who is visibly intoxicated, they may be held responsible for any injuries or damage that individual may cause. While these laws vary greatly from state to state, the state of Florida has some of the loosest dram shop liability laws in the country.

If you have been accused of a criminal offense after being served too much alcohol at a drinking establishment, responsibility may not be yours to bear alone. Contact the Boca Raton criminal defense attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., at 561-353-2800 to explain your situation to one of our legal professionals and learn more about your rights.

When Are Dram Shops Liable?

Unlike many other states, Florida has very loose dram shop liability laws. In many cases, a bar or restaurant is allowed to knowingly serve an intoxicated individual too much alcohol without having to accept responsibility for that person’s actions. However, there are two situations in which the law does assign liability to serving establishments:

• Selling alcohol to underage individuals

• Selling alcohol to individuals who they know are “habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages”

In these specific cases, it is considered the responsibility of the serving establishment to ensure that these individuals do not become intoxicated to the point that they may cause harm to themselves or others.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime after being served too much alcohol, contact the Boca Raton criminal defense lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., at 561-353-2800 today to begin formulating your defense.