Dram Shop Liability and Civil Claims Against Businesses That Served Minors
In Texas, it is illegal to serve alcohol to minors—period. When bars, nightclubs, or restaurants serve underage patrons, they expose themselves to serious civil liability, especially if those minors are later injured, cause injuries, or die due to intoxication.
At Williford Law, PLLC, we represent victims and families affected by underage drinking injuries tied to dram shop violations in Texas. Whether you’re the injured minor or a third party harmed by an intoxicated underage person, we pursue claims against businesses that broke the law and ignored safety.
What Is Dram Shop Liability?
Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 2.01, businesses that serve alcohol can be held civilly liable if:
- They knowingly served alcohol to a minor or someone who was intoxicated.
- That minor’s intoxication was a proximate cause of injury, death, or property damage
This applies to:
- Nightclubs and bars
- Lounges and music venues
- Restaurants and fast-food chains with alcohol licenses
- Convenience stores (for underage alcohol sales)
- House parties hosted by business owners (under certain conditions)
Who Can Bring a Dram Shop Claim?
| Eligible Claimants | Example |
| The underage person | Another driver or pedestrian was hit by the underage drunk driver |
| Innocent third parties | Another driver or pedestrian hit by the underage drunk driver |
| Parents/guardians | Filing on behalf of a deceased or severely injured minor |
| Passengers or friends | Injured while riding with or intervening in the incident |
Even if the underage person used a fake ID, the bar or restaurant may still be liable if they failed to check ID carefully, served drinks without checking, or ignored obvious signs of intoxication.
Common Underage Drinking Injury Cases We Handle
- DUI/DWI crashes involving minors
- Fights or assaults at clubs involving intoxicated teens
- Falls or injuries at bars where underage guests were overserved
- Alcohol poisoning or death from excessive consumption
- Sexual assault or violence involving underage intoxicated patrons
- Minor-to-minor injuries due to reckless drinking or behavior
We hold businesses accountable when poor security, illegal alcohol service, and a lack of oversight lead to preventable harm.
Who Can Be Sued?
| Party | Legal Duty |
| Nightclub or bar owner | Must train staff and prevent service to underage guests |
| Bartenders or servers | May be individually liable for knowingly serving minors |
| Event promoters | Responsible for crowd control and ID enforcement |
| Property owners or managers | Liable if they knew about underage drinking on site |
| Adult hosts | May be liable under social host laws (especially for private events) |
We work to uncover surveillance footage, witness statements, and point-of-sale data to prove the illegal service and link it to your injuries.
What Compensation May Be Available?
- Medical bills (emergency care, rehab, long-term needs)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental health treatment for trauma or PTSD
- Lost income (if the minor or victim is unable to work)
- Loss of earning potential (for permanent injuries)
- Wrongful death compensation (for parents or guardians)
- Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)
If your child was hurt—or if you were injured by an intoxicated underage person—you have legal options. We fight for the full value of your claim.
What to Do After an Underage Patron Injury or Death
- Call 911 and request both medical and police assistance
- Preserve any evidence (wristbands, receipts, photos, texts, IDs)
- Identify the business and any employees involved
- Get medical care and keep documentation
- Do not accept blame or speak with insurance before legal consultation
Time is critical in these cases—video footage and POS records may only be retained briefly.
Why Choose Williford Law?
At Williford Law, PLLC, we know how to hold negligent businesses accountable for illegally serving alcohol to minors. We’ve handled dram shop claims involving:
- Nightclubs that allowed underage drinkers into VIP sections
- Bars that ignored clear intoxication signs
- Restaurants that failed to verify IDs before service
- Fatal car crashes involving teens who served alcohol while underage
We combine legal strategy, investigation, and trauma-informed representation to give your family the justice it deserves.
