Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Coconuts Wing Cantina? Here's What You Need To Know
I've been suing irresponsible bars for over-serving alcohol for 30 years. My experience handling hundreds of cases has repeatedly shown me just how many bars fail to follow alcohol service regulations, as well as the tragedies that all too often result. 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 reckless bars play in those accidents. In order to call more attention to this issue, I dedicate a portion of my time to reviewing the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's 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, don't hesitate to call me at (855) 326-0000.
Coconuts Wing Cantina is a bar located in Socorro, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted a substantial amount of attention from the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2018 and 2019, authorities conducted no fewer than six investigations into alcohol service practices at Coconuts Wing Cantina.
In my experience, it is 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 cause 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 Coconuts Wing Cantina for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Coconuts Wing Cantina Between 2018 and 2019
Socorro - 10750 North Loop Suite A1
Allegations:
Law enforcement reached out to the TABC on 02/20/2018, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to both a minor and an intoxicated person.
Authorities followed up soon after with an investigation. 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 04/13/2018.
On 05/11/2018, the TABC received a second law enforcement complaint, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a customer who was already over the limit.
Upon investigation, authorities were able to locate sufficient evidence to back up the claim, which they classified as both an administrative and criminal violation. For some reason, the TABC decided not to hand down any punishment, choosing instead to close the case on 07/07/2018.
Yet another law enforcement complaint, filed on 08/08/2018, alleged that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) occurred and that the bar failed to report it. In addition, the police accused the bar of selling alcohol to an intoxicated person.
The TABC looked into the matter, but only found enough evidence to determine that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace. After issuing a written warning, authorities closed the case on 08/22/2018.
On 11/13/2018, law enforcement contacted the TABC once again, accusing the bar of selling alcohol to a drunk person.
TABC agents investigated and found sufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation. After handing down an unspecified civil penalty, authorities wrapped up their work on the case on 11/20/2018.
A law enforcement complaint, filed on 12/17/2018, claimed that a breach of the peace took place and that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated customer.
After more than two months of investigation, TABC agents were unable to locate any hard proof of wrongdoing. As a result, they could not take any action and chose to close the case on 02/20/2019.
Law enforcement lodged a complaint on 09/10/2019, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an inebriated person.
Authorities investigated, but were not able to locate any hard evidence of a violation. With no other course of action available, authorities closed the case on 09/10/2019.
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.
