Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Neon Therapy Country Club? Here's What You Need To Know
My firm has handled more dram shop cases than any other in Texas. With 30 years of experience behind me, I have seen countless examples of bars that fail to follow alcohol service regulations and the tragic consequences that can result. This issue is more rampant that people realize, and one of my goals is to bring it to the public's attention. One way I do this is by reviewing Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint records and posting about my findings. If you think you may have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim and want to know how to proceed, please call me at (855) 326-0000.
Neon Therapy Country Club is a bar and music venue located in Jacksonville, Texas. It is primarily geared toward the country music crowd, hosting relatively big-name artists and local groups alike on its stage. Over the years, the bar has had a number of encounters with the TABC for allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2016 and 2019, authorities conducted three separate investigations into alcohol service practices at Neon Therapy Country Club.
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 play a part in 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 Neon Therapy Country Club for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Neon Therapy Country Club Between 2016 and 2019
Jacksonville - 954 N Jackson Street
Allegations:
On 06/01/2016, the TABC received a complaint from a member of staff that alleged that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person. Though it might seem strange that a staff member is the source of the complaint, employees are in fact legally obligated to report any violations they see on the job.
TABC agents subsequently looked into the matter. 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 07/27/2016.
Law enforcement filed a complaint with the TABC on 02/21/2017 and charged that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) occurred.
After well over a month of investigation, authorities were unable to find any proof of wrongdoing; even a police officer's word is considered insufficient evidence for the TABC to take action. With no other option available, investigators closed the case on 04/07/2017.
A member of the Jacksonville community reached out to the TABC on 12/16/2019 and claimed that the bar sold alcohol to both a minor and an intoxicated person.
The subsequent investigation found evidence to issue several citations: two for allowing a minor to possess or consume an alcoholic beverage and three for misrepresentation of age by a minor. However, the report does not mention any punishment for the violations. On 01/29/2020, the case came to an end.
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.
