Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Rebar? Here's What You Need To Know
My firm has handled more liquor liability (dram shop) cases than anyone else in Texas. With over 30 years of practice behind me, I can attest to just how many bars regularly fail to adhere to alcohol service laws, particularly when it comes to their obligation to refuse service to patrons who are already drunk. While the public might see or hear about a drunk driving accident from time to time, it is much less common for it to hear about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. In order to increase people's awareness of this problem, I dedicate a portion of my time to researching the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's complaint database and reporting my findings here on my website. If you think you may have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim and have questions about how to proceed, please call me at (855) 326-0000.
Rebar is a bar and lounge located in San Antonio, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC on multiple occasions due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, authorities conducted three separate investigations into alcohol service practices at Rebar.
In my experience, it's uncommon for a bar without a history of run-ins with the TABC to end up on the hook for contributing to a wrongful death or injury. Virtually every bar I have ever sued was already on the authorities' radar. That's why I pay close attention to bars with several recent complaints against them. The more investigations a bar has had, the greater my concern is that it could one day contribute to an accident.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence of a violation, it doesn't necessarily mean an establishment is innocent, either. The purpose of this article is simply to relay publicly-available information about incidents where the TABC has investigated Rebar for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Rebar Between 2018 and 2019
San Antonio - 8134 Broadway
Allegations:
A concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC on 05/02/2018, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to both a minor as well as an intoxicated person, and that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) took place.
Authorities launched an investigation shortly thereafter. For most liquor law violations, the TABC requires either video footage of the incident or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. In this particular instance, authorities had neither. As a result, the case came to a close on 06/29/2018.
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 01/29/2019, claiming that a breach of the peace took place.
As mentioned in the previous investigation summary, the TABC relies heavily on video footage to back up most claims of wrongdoing. Since investigators had no such evidence on this occasion, they were unable to take any further action. Consequently, they concluded their work on the case on 03/01/2019.
A member of the San Antonio community reached out to the TABC on 07/27/2019, accusing staff of drinking on the job and selling alcohol to a drunk person.
The ensuing investigation was not successful at locating any hard evidence of a criminal or administrative violation. With no other course of action available, they chose to shut the case on 09/03/2019.
Texas Law Says Accident Victims Can Sue Bad Bars
If you would like to learn more about Texas dram shop law (i.e. lawsuits against bars who play a role in injurious or fatal accidents), please visit our Texas Dram Shop Law Info Page.
