When an intoxicated person causes an accident, responsibility may extend beyond the individual who caused the injury. Under Minnesota's dram shop law, certain businesses or individuals who illegally sell or provide alcohol may also be held accountable for injuries that result from intoxication. In this article, Minnesota personal injury attorney Matt Steinbrink explains how dram shop claims work, when they may apply, and why identifying all potentially responsible parties can be important after an alcohol-related accident.
Minnesota's dram shop law allows people who have been injured by an intoxicated individual to pursue compensation from an establishment that illegally provided the alcohol under qualifying circumstances. These cases commonly arise after drunk driving accidents, but alcohol-related injuries can occur in other situations as well.
A key issue in a dram shop case is determining whether alcohol was provided illegally. For example, liability may arise when a bar, restaurant, liquor store, or other establishment sells alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated or to a person who is under the legal drinking age. Establishing what occurred before an accident can therefore become an important part of investigating a potential claim.
Matt explains that dram shop cases can involve evidence beyond what is typically examined in a personal injury claim against the intoxicated individual. Attorneys may investigate where the person obtained alcohol, how much they consumed, when they were served, and whether employees or witnesses observed signs of intoxication. Receipts, surveillance footage, witness testimony, police reports, and other records may help establish whether alcohol was illegally provided and whether that contributed to the resulting injuries.
These cases can also be important because the person directly responsible for an accident may not have sufficient insurance or financial resources to compensate an injured individual for serious losses. When the requirements of Minnesota law are met, a dram shop claim may provide an additional avenue for pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Alcohol-related injury claims can involve complicated questions of liability, causation, insurance coverage, and evidence. Identifying every potentially responsible party can help ensure that an injured person understands the full range of legal options available.
For individuals injured in a drunk driving accident or another incident involving alcohol, Matt Steinbrink provides insight into how Minnesota's dram shop law may apply and what factors should be considered when evaluating a potential claim.
Read the full article: Understanding Minnesota's Dram Shop Law.
