Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Black Gold Sports Bar? 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.
Black Gold Sports Bar is located in Odessa, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2018 and 2020, authorities have conducted no fewer than six investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.
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 Black Gold Sports Bar for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Black Gold Sports Bar Between 2018 and 2020
Odessa - 4555 E University Boulevard C4
Allegations:
The TABC received an anonymous complaint on 02/22/2018, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated customer.
While the subsequent investigation failed to uncover any evidence to support the initial claim, authorities did find evidence that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace (typically a fight), which authorities classified as an administrative violation. After issuing a written warning, the TABC closed the case on 04/10/2018.
A member of the Odessa community reached out to the TABC on 05/01/2018, claiming that a breach of the peace occurred and that the bar failed to report it.
Authorities looked into the matter 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. Having neither in this investigation, authorities decided to close the case on 06/09/2018.
On 07/11/2018, another citizen complaint reached the TABC, alleging that a breach of the peace occurred and that the bar failed to report it.
As mentioned in the previous investigation summary, the TABC relies heavily on video footage to back up most claims of wrongdoing. Since authorities had no such evidence in this investigation, they could not take any action, leading to their decision to close the case on 09/26/2018.
The TABC received a citizen complaint on 07/31/2018, accusing the bar of refilling bottles and substituting brands without consent.
TABC agents conducted an inquiry, but due to a lack of video evidence, they could not determine the veracity of the claim. As a result, investigators could not take any further action, leading to their decision to close the case on 09/24/2018.
Yet another citizen complaint, filed on 10/03/2018, alleged that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk customer.
An investigation ensued, but authorities were ultimately unable to produce any hard evidence to support the allegation. Consequently, the TABC decided to close the case without further action on 02/21/2019.
An anonymous complaint, dated 02/24/2020, alleged that a breach of the peace took place.
Once again, authorities conducted an investigation but had no luck uncovering corroborating evidence. Left with no other option, the TABC decided to conclude its work on the case on 04/04/2020.
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.
