Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Wild West? 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.
Wild West is a night club located in Houston, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2017 and 2018 alone, authorities conducted two separate investigations into the club'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 Wild West for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Wild West Between 2017 and 2018
Houston - 6101 Richmond Avenue
Allegations:
A staff member filed a complaint with the TABC on 07/18/2017, alleging that the club sold alcohol to an intoxicated person. While it might seem strange that a staff member would be the source of a TABC complaint, employees have a legal obligation to report any violations they see in the workplace.
Upon investigation, authorities were able to confirm the allegation, which they classified as an administrative violation. After deciding to dismiss the violation, the TABC closed the case on 11/07/2017.
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 09/14/2018, claiming that the club sold alcohol to a drunk customer.
Once again, authorities were able to confirm the claim, classifying it as both a criminal and administrative violation. Ultimately, the TABC chose not to hand down any punishment and concluded its work on the case on 11/12/2018.
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.
