Liquor Liability

Michigan Dram Shop Law and Liquor Liability Attorneys

Bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and other distributors of alcoholic beverages may be subject to lawsuits based on dram shop laws. At Kaufman, Payton & Chapa our experienced lawyers defend these businesses in cases of liquor liability. Since our founding in 1975, we have helped businesses, insurance companies, and professionals defend themselves against liability claims. We have extensive experience in liquor liability cases and we can help you protect your business from unnecessary liability. Contact us to get in touch with an attorney knowledgeable in Michigan dram shop law.

Liquor liability may arise when alcohol is sold to a minor, or when alcohol is served to a person whose blood alcohol content is beyond the legal limit and that person has an accident. Many of these cases are covered by insurance. In these cases, we take special care to work with insurance companies and make sure that the proper information is communicated effectively between our client and their insurer. When alcohol is sold to an intoxicated person, dram shop laws may expose a business to liability for substantial damages. It is important to have experienced counsel working on your behalf to protect your business.

While civil penalties may be imposed for serving alcohol to an intoxicated person, businesses that take certain steps to protect themselves can limit their exposure. An objective standard is used to determine liability. Serving a person who is not showing indicia of intoxication will often not lead to a finding of liability. Employees should be trained to watch out for slurred speech, decreased motor function, and other signs that a person is over the legal limit.

The details of each case vary significantly. Choosing an attorney who is familiar with dram liability cases and has years of litigating these types of cases is an important step toward protecting your interests. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our talented liquor liability lawyers.

From our offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, and Grand Rapids, we serve clients throughout Michigan, including but not limited to Dearborn, Livonia, Southfield, Troy, Pontiac, Warren, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, Lower Peninsula, and all of Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County and other counties throughout Michigan.