Considering A Dram Shop Case Against The River Bend Sports Bar? 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 River Bend Sports Bar is located in Beeville, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC on several occasions due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2015 and 2020, authorities conducted no fewer than seven 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 River Bend Sports Bar for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of The River Bend Sports Bar Between 2015 and 2020
Beeville - 1603 N Saint Mary's
Allegations:
On 06/07/2015, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Upon investigation, authorities were able to confirm the allegation, which they classified as an administrative violation. After handing down an unspecified penalty, they closed the case on 12/03/2015.
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 05/30/2018, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a patron who was already drunk and permitted the removal of alcohol from the premises.
Even when a police officer is the source of a complaint, the TABC still requires corroborating evidence before it can take action. Since agents had none in this investigation, they were left with no choice but to close the case, which they did on 07/28/2018.
Before the TABC had concluded its work on the previous case, law enforcement filed another complaint on 07/24/2018. This time, the allegations were selling alcohol to a drunk person and a breach of the peace (typically a fight) that went unreported (a separate violation in itself).
As in the previous investigation, the TABC could not take any action because it could not find any evidence to back up the claims. As a result, investigators wrapped up their work on 09/06/2018.
Law enforcement filed yet another complaint on 01/03/2019, this time claiming that a breach of the peace took place and that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated patron.
The ensuing investigation was able to prove that a breach of the peace occurred, which authorities classified as an administrative violation. After handing down an unspecified penalty, authorities closed the case on 03/02/2019.
Once again, a law enforcement complaint on 05/28/2019 brought the TABC back to investigate an alleged breach of the peace.
Investigators looked into the allegation, but as they could not find any supporting evidence, they ended their efforts on 07/19/2019.
On 10/16/2019, law enforcement reached out to the TABC, accusing the bar of selling alcohol to a minor and an intoxicated person.
After looking into the matter, authorities were able to confirm the second allegation, which they classified as both an administrative and criminal violation. For some reason, however, the TABC decided not to take any action, choosing instead to close the case on 11/10/2019.
The next law enforcement complaint came on 01/14/2020, accusing the bar of selling alcohol to an intoxicated person.
TABC agents conducted an inquiry, but were ultimately unable to produce any evidence of wrongdoing. Consequently, they opted to close the case without further action on 03/05/2020.
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.
