Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Main St. Bar & Patio? 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.
Main St. Bar & Patio is located in Cotulla, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. In 2019 alone, authorities conducted two separate investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.
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 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 Main St. Bar & Patio for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Main St. Bar & Patio in 2019
Cotulla - 401 N Main Street
Allegations:
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 03/22/2019, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person and that staff was drinking on the job.
The ensuing investigation uncovered sufficient evidence for authorities to confirm that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person, which they classified as both an administrative and criminal violation. Additionally, authorities found evidence to support one count of public intoxication. After handing down an unspecified penalty, the TABC closed the case on 05/02/2019.
A second law enforcement complaint, filed on 05/17/2019, alleged that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) took place and that the bar failed to report it (a separate violation in itself).
Upon investigation, authorities found evidence that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace and sold alcohol to a minor. After handing down an unspecified penalty for the former and a written warning for the latter, the TABC closed the case on 07/13/2019.
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.
