Minnesota Dram Shop Lawyer Explains the Minnesota Dram Shop Act and Social Host Liability
One of the many options for recovery that a Minnesota auto accident attorney may use in a drunk driving accident is to seek recovery under Minnesota's dram shop laws. Under Minnesota’s dram shop laws restaurants, pubs, clubs, and liquor stores that illegally serve or furnish a person with alcohol, may be held liable for any injuries from a resulting accident.
A drunk motorist, who causes an accident, very likely, purchased a drink at a liquor establishment. The establishment may therefore be held accountable for its negligence in any accident caused by a drunk driver who bought his alcohol at the venue or facility.
For a victim of a DUI accident, it may be important to examine all options for compensation, because injuries resulting from drunken driving accidents tend to be extremely serious. These include fractures, blunt force trauma injuries, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and other serious injuries that may require extensive medical care, hospitalization, physical therapy and other aids.
Minnesota’s law allows for two types of liability for people who illegally provide alcohol to a motorist. While dram shop laws offer injured victims one option to hold the establishment accountable, there are also social host liability laws laid out in Minnesota statutes that allow persons who provide alcoholic beverages to persons below the age of 21 in a social, non-commercial setting to be held liable.
It’s important to understand that these laws won’t cover the intoxicated person, but will only apply to victims of an accident. Minnesota dram shop laws may apply in case of:
- Establishments that sell alcoholic beverages to persons below the age of 21;
- Establishments that sell alcoholic beverages to visibly drunk patrons;
- Establishments that sell alcoholic beverages after hours or on a day on which sale is prohibited by law; and
- Establishments that sell alcohol to guests or non-members at a club.
Do you have questions about dram shop or social host liability? Contact an MN dram shop attorney at the Brown Law Office, P.A. We offer free consultations at your home, work, hospital or you may arrange to meet with us at one of our six Twin Cities metro offices. Contact us by calling (612) 789-2100 or submit an inquiry through our online consultation form. We don’t charge a fee unless we obtain a settlement on your behalf.
