Under Pennsylvania’s dram shop law (47 P.S. § 4-493(1)), furnishers of alcohol may be liable for an accident that happens because they served a visibly intoxicated person or a minor. The core objectives of the Commonwealth’s dram shop acts are to promote safety and to provide a path to justice and compensation for victims and families. Here, our Philadelphia dram shop liability attorney highlights the objective of dram shop acts in Pennsylvania.
Objective #1: Promote Public Safety
To start, it is useful to know that the primary objective of Pennsylvania’s dram shop acts is to reduce the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Drunk people can be dangerous. That is an important reality. By prohibiting bars, restaurants, and other establishments from serving minors or obviously intoxicated people, the law discourages dangerous behavior that could lead to drunk driving crashes or violent altercations. The ultimate goal is to make communities safer by placing a legal duty on alcohol providers to act responsibly.
Objective #2: Provide Justice and Compensation for Victims
Another key objective is to ensure that victims of alcohol-related accidents have a way to pursue justice. Injured parties and their families often face significant medical expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma after a crash or assault caused by an intoxicated person. They deserve compensation for their damages. Indeed, dram shop liability gives victims the ability to hold negligent establishments accountable and to seek financial compensation for their losses. This objective helps shift some of the burden away from innocent victims. After a DUI accident, a top-tier Philadelphia dram shop lawyer can help you fight for the maximum compensation, including for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Not an Objective: Protecting Businesses from Liability
A common misconception is that dram shop laws were designed to shield bars and restaurants from lawsuits. That is false. In reality, these laws impose liability on businesses to encourage safer practices and provide remedies for victims. While alcohol providers do have the right to defend themselves in court, protecting their profits or limiting their exposure to claims is not an objective of Pennsylvania’s dram shop acts.
How Philadelphia Dram Shop Lawyer Sean Quinn Can Help
Sean Quinn is a Philadelphia dram shop law attorney with a proven record of success. Our client testimonials and case results explain what we can do for victims and families. If you have any questions about the cases that are all under the dram shop law in Pennsylvania, we are more than ready to explain your rights and your options during a free initial consultation.
Set Up a Free Case Review With Our Philadelphia Dram Shop Lawyer Today
At Quinn Law Group, LLC, our Philadelphia dram shop liability attorney has the knowledge, skills, and legal expertise that you can count on. If you have any questions or concerns about dram shop liability, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case review. With an office in Philadelphia, we handle dram shop law cases throughout all of Southeastern Pennsylvania.