Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Dayton Sports Bar & Grill? 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.
Dayton Sports Bar & Grill is located in Dayton, Texas. It is popular with locals who come to see live music, play pool, or catch a game. In recent years, however, it has also attracted a good deal of attention from the TABC due to a number of complaints alleging liquor law violations. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, authorities conducted no fewer than four investigations into alcohol service practices at Dayton Sports Bar & Grill.
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 Dayton's Sports Bar & Grill for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Dayton Sports Bar & Grill Between 2018 and 2019
Dayton - 27 Town Center
Allegations:
On 11/16/2018, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a minor and to an intoxicated patron.
Authorities looked into the matter, but after nearly two months of investigation, the failed to turn up any evidence of a criminal or administrative violation. Unable to take any further action, TABC agents closed the investigation on 01/11/2019.
The TABC received a complaint from a staff member on 05/15/2018, claiming that the bar sold alcohol to a patron who was already drunk.
The ensuing investigation succeeded in uncovering two violations: public intoxication and sale of alcohol to an intoxicated person. After deciding not to hand down any punishment, authorities shut this case on 05/25/2018.
On 06/29/2018, an unnamed source reached out to the TABC and alleged that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.
TABC agents began an inquiry shortly thereafter, but they were unable to find any evidence to back up the claim. As a result, authorities decided to close the case on 08/21/2018.
A second anonymous complaint came on 10/08/2019, and claimed again that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person.
An investigation followed 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 11/18/2019.
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.
