Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Wing Champs? 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.
Wing Champs is a restaurant located in Raymondville, Texas. While it is popular with locals looking for a casual dining experience, it has also recently drawn the attention of the TABC on more than one occasion due to allegations of liquor law violations. Over just a two-year period, authorities conducted three separate investigations into alcohol service practices at Wing Champs.
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, 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 Wing Champs for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Wing Champs between 2016 and 2018
Raymondville - 100 Hwy 77N Suite O and P
Allegations:
On 05/10/2016, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging that the bar served alcohol to a patron who was already intoxicated.
TABC agents looked into the matter, and while they did not turn up any corroborating evidence, they did find proof of an unrelated administrative violation, for which they handed down an unspecified penalty. On 06/16/2016, the case came to a close.
A member of the Raymondville community contacted the TABC on 07/08/2016, claiming that the bar sold alcohol to a minor.
Authorities followed up soon after with an investigation. 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 08/17/2016.
On 12/04/2018, yet another citizen complaint reached the TABC, this time accusing the bar of employing someone under the age of 18 to sell alcohol and claiming staff was drinking on the job.
As in the previous investigation, authorities had no video evidence to back up the claims. Unable to take any further action, the TABC closed this case on 01/03/2019.
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.
