Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Cabo? Here's What You Need To Know
Over the last 30 years, I've worked to hold reckless bars accountable for over-serving alcohol. My experience handling hundreds of cases has opened my eyes to just how many bars consistently fail to follow alcohol service regulations. While people might see or hear about a drunk driving accident from time to time, they don't tend to hear about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. Since most people don't do what I do for a living, I make an effort to share my insights in hopes of calling more attention to this issue. One way I do this is by periodically reviewing Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint records 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.
Cabo is a bar and grill located in Seabrook, Texas. In recent years it has attracted the TABC's attention on multiple occasions due to a number of complaints alleging liquor law violations. Between 2017 and 2019, authorities conducted three separate investigations into alcohol service practices at Cabo.
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 Cabo for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Cabo Between 2017 and 2019
Seabrook - 2513 Nasa Parkway
Allegations:
On 02/10/2017, law enforcement contacted the TABC and alleged that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) occurred.
TABC agents looked into the matter, but failed to find any evidence of a criminal or administrative violation. As a result, they could not take any action, so they decided to close the case on 02/16/2017.
A second law enforcement complaint came on the same day as the previous one, with authorities alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person and during prohibited hours.
The ensuing investigation was not able to produce any evidence capable of substantiating the claims. However, authorities did manage to find evidence that the bar permitted customers to consume alcohol during prohibited hours. After handing down an unspecified penalty for an administrative violation, investigators closed the case on 03/10/2017.
A member of the Seabrook community reached out to the TABC on 06/13/2017, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a patron who was already over the limit.
Authorities looked into the matter and found enough evidence to back up the claim. The violation was subsequently dismissed and authorities shut the case on 08/11/2017.
Yet another law enforcement complaint, filed on 09/23/2019, alleged that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person.
After well over a month and a half of investigation, authorities still did not have any evidence to back up the claim. With no other course of action available, they ended their work on the case on 11/16/2019.
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.
