Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Z Grill & Tap? Here's What You Need To Know
My firm has sued more bars for liquor law violations than any other in Texas. In my over 30 years of experience, I have repeatedly seen just how serious the consequences can be when bars over-serve alcohol. While the public might see or hear about a drunk driving accident from time to time, it's much less common to hear about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. One of my goals is to raise awareness about the extent of this problem. To this end, I dedicate some of my time to investigating Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint records and reporting what I find here on my website. If you think you might have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim and would like to learn about how to proceed, please call me at (855) 326-0000.
Z Grill & Tap is located in Flower Mound, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2017 and 2020, authorities conducted four separate investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.
In my experience, it's 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 contribute to 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 Z Grill & Tap for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Z Grill & Tap Between 2017 and 2020
Flower Mound - 2321 Cross Timbers Suite 413
Allegations:
On 06/06/2019, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging 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 08/08/2019.
A member of the Flower Mound community contacted the TABC on 04/25/2017, alleging that staff was drinking on the job, permitted a minor to possess or consume alcohol, sold alcohol to a non-member, refilled bottles, and that the bar employed a person under the age of 18 to handle alcohol.
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 06/03/2017.
An anonymous complaint, filed on 01/08/2018, triggered a TABC investigation into whether or not the bar sold alcohol to a non-member.
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 03/14/2018.
The next citizen complaint came on 05/08/2020, accusing the bar of miscellaneous violations.
An investigation ensued, but authorities were ultimately unable to turn up any hard evidence of a violation. As a result, the TABC was left with no option but to close the case, which it did on 05/21/2020.
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.
