Dram Shop Liability Defense Lawyers

Defending Liquor Liability Claims & Lawsuits in Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah

When a drunk driver causes harm, the claimant may allege that the establishment that served the driver is liable for resulting damages. This is often referred to as dram shop liability or liquor liability and can involve many complex issues related to blood alcohol levels, alcohol tolerance, and whether the driver was over-served. Dram shop liability may also apply to an intoxicated person who injures herself or another without the use of a car, or a minor who is illegally served alcohol at a licensed establishment.

Righi Fitch Law Group defends the interests of restaurants, bars, and other establishments facing liquor liability claims involving drunk driving accidents, personal injuries, property damage, and wrongful death. Our dram shop liability defense lawyers understand how state laws apply to establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. We have over twenty years of experience representing businesses and their insurance carriers in cases involving potential dram shop liability.

Contact us at (602) 483-6352 to discuss the steps we can take to protect your interests.

Arizona’s Dram Shop Law

Any licensed establishment that sells alcoholic beverages may be referred to as a dram shop. This may include a restaurant, bar, saloon, nightclub, tavern, winery, or similar commercial establishment where alcohol is served to paying customers.

According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 4-311, these businesses may be liable for property damage, personal injuries, or wrongful death if the following can be proven:

• The establishment sold alcohol to a person who was obviously intoxicated or, without asking for valid identification, sold alcohol to a person under the legal drinking age.
• The person consumed the alcohol.
• As a proximate (immediate) cause of that consumption of alcohol, property damage, injury, or death occurred.

All three of these elements must be proven for a dram shop claim to be successful. An effective defense strategy may be aimed at disproving just one or all of these elements to secure a dismissal of a case or to limit liability. A careful analysis of evidence and witness testimony by our attorneys, paraprofessionals, and network of investigators and expert witnesses can help Righi Fitch Law Group build a winning defense against dram shop or liquor liability.

Contact Righi Fitch Law Group Today

With extensive legal experience and a reputation for successfully defending clients in some of the most challenging and complex liability cases, Righi Fitch Law Group is positioned to deliver the quality representation you deserve. We represent owners of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs and their insurers in dram shop liability cases in Arizona.

Call (602) 483-6352 or contact us online to discover how we can help you.