Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Reno's Chop Shop Saloon? Here's What You Need To Know
I've sued more reckless bars for failing to adhere to liquor laws than anyone else in the state of Texas. With three decades of experience and hundreds of cases behind me, I have seen just how frequently bars put profit before safety and over-serve alcohol, in spite of their legal obligation to serve responsibly. While people might see or hear of drunk driving accidents from time to time, they don't tend to hear as much about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. In order to raise more awareness of this topic, I spend a portion of my time researching the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's complaint database and writing about my findings here on my website. If you think you might have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim, don't hesitate to call my office at (855) 326-0000.
Reno's Chop Shop Saloon is located in Dallas, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted a significant amount of attention from the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, authorities conducted seven separate investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.
In my three decades of legal practice, rarely have I seen bar end up involved in a wrongful death or injury case that didn't have a history of complaints on file with TABC. Almost every bar I've ever sued was already on the authorities radar, so when I see a bar that has been investigated several times over a short period, it raises my concern 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 Reno's Chop Shop Saloon for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Reno's Chop Shop Saloon Between 2018 and 2019
Dallas - 210 N Crowdus Street
Allegations:
The TABC received an anonymous complaint on 04/17/2018, claiming that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Authorities looked into the matter 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. Having neither in this investigation, authorities decided to close the case on 06/05/2018.
A second anonymous complaint reached the TABC on 06/05/2018, alleging that staff was drinking on the job, sold alcohol to both an intoxicated person and a minor, in addition to selling drugs on the premises.
As mentioned in the previous investigation summary, the TABC relies heavily on video footage to back up most claims of wrongdoing. Since authorities had no such evidence in this investigation, they could not take any action, leading to their decision to close the case on 07/25/2018.
The next anonymous complaint came on 07/27/2018, claiming that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) occurred.
Upon investigation, authorities were able to confirm that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace, which they classified as an administrative violation. After issuing a written warning, the TABC closed the case on 08/18/2018.
Yet another anonymous complaint, filed on 10/08/2018, brought the TABC back to investigate an allegation that the bar sold alcohol to a minor.
TABC agents conducted an inquiry, but due to a lack of video evidence, they could not determine the veracity of the claim. As a result, investigators could not take any further action, leading to their decision to close the case on 10/30/2018.
A fifth anonymous complaint to the TABC alleged the bar permitted staff to possess or sell drugs on the premises and sold alcohol to a drunk person.
Authorities looked into the matter but failed to uncover any evidence to support the allegations. Unable to take any further action, the TABC decided to close the case on 01/09/2019.
On 02/15/2019, a member of the Dallas community reached out to the TABC and alleged that staff was selling drugs on the premises, sold alcohol to both a minor and an intoxicated person, permitted consumption during prohibited hours, and that a breach of the peace occurred.
As is so often the case, investigators looked into the matter but ultimately failed to turn up any evidence to support the claims. On 04/05/2019, the TABC closed the case without taking any further action.
The next citizen complaint, filed on 05/01/2019, alleged that staff possessed or sold drugs on the premises, drank on the job, permitted customers to drink during prohibited hours, and that a breach of the peace occurred.
After over a month and a half of investigation, authorities still had not managed to uncover any hard evidence of wrongdoing. Left with no other option, the TABC decided to close the case on 06/19/2019.
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.
