Considering A Dram Shop Case Against The Draconian Lounge? 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.
The Draconian Lounge is located in College Station, 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 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 The Draconian Lounge for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of The Draconian Lounge in 2019
College Station - 211 University Drive
Allegations:
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 03/05/2019, alleging that staff was drinking on the job and the the bar refused an inspection. The first allegation is more serious than it might appear on the surface. Staff has a legal obligation to stop serving alcohol to patrons who exhibit signs of being dangerously intoxicated. If staff is drinking, its ability to judge when to cut off service is impaired.
Upon investigation, authorities were able to confirm the first allegation, in addition to finding evidence that the bar sold alcohol to a minor. Ultimately, authorities decided not to hand down any punishment, instead choosing to close the case on 05/03/2019.
On 09/26/2019, the TABC received a second law enforcement complaint, alleging miscellaneous violations.
The investigation that followed was successful at determining the validity of the claim, which authorities classified as an administrative violation. After issuing the bar a written warning, authorities closed the case on 09/28/2019.
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.
