In Illinois persons who have been injured or killed because of the intentional or negligent behavior of an intoxicated person are potentially entitled to compensation, not only from the person that caused injury, but from the place that served that person alcohol. Illinois dram shop laws impose financial liability on bars, clubs, restaurants, or hotels that over serve patrons who then harm others. Usually, this liability is occurs in cases where a drunk driver causes a motor vehicle accident. It can also apply when a drunk patron gets into a bar fight or otherwise harms someone.
Bartenders are required to not serve anyone who is obviously drunk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-related crashes cause an injury every 2 minutes and a death every 31 minutes. There are very few people whose lives have not been touched in some way by a drunk driving incident.
In some states, though not including Illinois, homeowners may be liable if an accident is caused by someone to whom they had supplied alcohol. This legal theory is called “social host liability.” Where applicable, the host of a party may be held liable if he or she continues to allow a guest to imbibe after the guest is intoxicated.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death as the result of someone being served too much alcohol, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
