Imagine this: you’re driving home from work, walking to your car, or just enjoying an evening out when someone intoxicated stumbles into your life—literally. Maybe they crash into your car. Maybe they attack you in a parking lot. Maybe they cause a chaotic scene at a party that ends in injury. What if we told you it’s not only the intoxicated person who can be held accountable?
When someone has been overserved at a bar or restaurant and ends up harming someone else, Pennsylvania law may allow the victim—that’s you—to hold both the drunk individual and the business that served them responsible.
At Moran Law Group, we help people like you every day. Our mission is to ensure justice is served and dangerous businesses are held accountable.
When Alcohol Leads to Injury: Real-Life Scenarios
Alcohol-fueled incidents can happen anywhere—on the road, in a bar, in a parking lot, or at a private event. If someone drinks to the point of impairment and then causes harm, and if a licensed business knowingly overserved them, Pennsylvania law says you may have the right to file a civil claim.
Common examples:
- A bar continues to serve a clearly drunk customer who later drives and hits another driver.
- A nightclub patron drinks excessively, becomes aggressive, and physically assaults another guest.
- A restaurant ignores signs of intoxication, leading to a guest injuring someone during a fight.
If you were the one hurt in any of these types of situations, you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury claim.
Understanding Liquor Liability in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has specific laws—known as Dram Shop laws—that protect people who are harmed by the actions of intoxicated individuals. These laws place legal responsibility on bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments that knowingly serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated or underage.
What does “visibly intoxicated” mean?
It includes behaviors such as:
- Slurred speech
- Bloodshot eyes
- Stumbling or falling
- Aggression or belligerence
- Inability to sit or stand without assistance
If a bartender, server, or business owner continues serving alcohol to someone displaying these signs, they may be legally responsible for any harm that person causes afterward.
Who Can Be Sued After a Liquor-Related Injury?
If you’ve been hurt by someone who was overserved, you may be able to file a lawsuit against:
1. The intoxicated individual
They are still primarily responsible for their actions, and you can pursue a personal injury claim against them directly.
2. The bar, restaurant, or establishment
If the business served alcohol when they should have stopped, you may sue them for negligence under Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Act.
3. Event organizers or third parties
In some situations—like festivals or private events—event coordinators or security companies may also be held partially responsible, depending on the circumstances.
These types of cases can be legally complex, which is why partnering with an experienced personal injury attorney in Scranton is so important.
What a Civil Lawsuit Can Do for You
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s intoxication, a civil claim can help you recover damages for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Future treatment or rehabilitation
In tragic cases where someone has passed away, families may also pursue a wrongful death claim.
Our goal at Moran Law Group is not just financial compensation—it’s accountability and justice.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
You may be wondering whether it’s worth calling a lawyer. Here’s the truth: liquor liability cases are not DIY cases. Establishments often deny wrongdoing and destroy evidence quickly. To build a strong case, we need to act fast.
Our team at Moran Law Group helps clients:
- Investigate surveillance footage
- Interview witnesses
- Collect bar tabs or receipts
- Bring in alcohol service experts
- Navigate insurance company roadblocks
We understand the urgency and complexity of these cases. That’s why we offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis—you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Why Choose Moran Law Group?
- We are the top attorneys in Scranton for personal injury law
- We’ve handled hundreds of negligence cases, including liquor liability
- We take a victim-centered approach—your recovery and dignity are our priority
- We’re fierce negotiators and even tougher litigators
- We fight until justice is served
If you’re searching online for a personal injury lawyer near me, your search stops here.
How to Start the Legal Process
Step 1: Document everything
Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and anything else relevant (e.g., bar name, vehicle damage).
Step 2: Gather witnesses
Get contact info for anyone who saw what happened or observed the drunk individual being overserved.
Step 3: Get medical treatment
Your health comes first. Be sure to document all visits and treatments related to the injury.
Step 4: Contact a lawyer ASAP
The longer you wait, the harder it is to preserve evidence and build a strong case. Reach out to our team right away.
Talk to a Top Personal Injury Attorney in Scranton Today
If someone else’s decision to over-serve alcohol caused your injury, you have rights—and you deserve answers.
Call Moran Law Group
Schedule a free, confidential consultation
Visit us at: https://themoranlawgroup.com
Don’t wait. Let one of the top attorneys near you fight for the justice you deserve.
FAQs About Liquor Liability Cases
1. What is a “Dram Shop” case?
A dram shop case is a civil lawsuit filed against a business that overserved alcohol to someone who then caused injury. These cases are based on Pennsylvania’s Dram Shop Act.
2. How do I prove a bar overserved someone?
Your lawyer will look for bar receipts, video footage, eyewitness testimony, and evidence of intoxicated behavior. It’s not something you have to figure out on your own—we handle it.
3. What if the drunk driver also got arrested?
A criminal case can proceed separately from your civil claim. You don’t have to wait for a conviction to file your lawsuit.
4. What if I was partly at fault in the accident?
Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence rule. As long as you’re not more than 50% responsible, you may still recover damages.
5. How long do I have to file a claim?
Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, the sooner you act, the better your chances.