Interested in a Dram Shop Case Against Addison Point? Here's What You Need to Know
I've been suing bars for failing to adhere to alcohol service laws for the last 30 years. To date, I've handled more dram shop (liquor liability) cases than any other attorney in Texas. With so much experience behind me, I know that this problem is far more pervasive than the general public realizes. In hopes of shining a light on this issue, I keep tabs on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint database and post my findings here on my website. If you believe you may have a dram shop claim, don't hesitate to call my office at (855) 326-0000.
Addison Point is a cross between a sports bar and karaoke bar, located in Addison, Texas. It has been in business since the 1970s and has remained popular with locals since that time. The TABC has also been a regular visitor over the years, visiting a total of six times since 2015.
In my experience, it's extremely rare for a bar to end up involved in a dram shop case if it doesn't already have a history of complaints with the TABC. When I see a bar that has been investigated several times over a short period, it raises my concern that it could one day play a part in an accident.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence, 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 Addison Point for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Addison Point Since 2015
Addison - 4578 Belt Line Road
On 01/15/2015, staff claimed that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace. Note: in these cases, a breach of the peace is typically a fight.
TABC subsequently investigated the matter, but after well over a month, it did not find sufficient evidence to take legal action. As a result, this investigation concluded on 02/26/2015.
The second complaint on this list occurred on 12/22/2016, with a citizen alleging that staff sold alcohol to a patron who was already intoxicated.
The ensuing investigation uncovered no hard proof of wrongdoing, so authorities dropped the case on 02/01/2017.
A law enforcement officer filed a complaint on 06/13/2017, alleging two violations: failure to report a breach of the peace and selling alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Authorities looked into the charges, but discovered no evidence capable of making them stick. Thus, after nearly two months of investigation, they closed the case on 08/11/2017.
On 12/31/2018, staff reported to TABC that the bar allegedly sold alcohol to a drunk customer.
TABC took a look into the claim, but unsurprisingly, it found nothing that would hold up in court. It later dropped the matter without taking further action on 01/21/2019.
A law enforcement complaint from 04/04/2019 claimed two further violations occurred: failure to report a breach of the peace and sale of alcohol to an inebriated person.
TABC was able to establish that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace. It classified it as an administrative violation and issued a written warning. On 05/15/2019, the case concluded.
On 09/18/2019, a concerned citizen placed the following complaint, alleging that a staff member was intoxicated and that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated patron.
The subsequent TABC investigation uncovered no evidence of any criminal or administrative violations. As a result, it ended its efforts on 11/05/2019.
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.
