Erie Bar’s Liquor License Revoked
Dram shop laws in Pennsylvania can hold individuals legally responsible for selling liquor without a valid license, selling liquor after established business hours, and selling liquor to minors. Establishments in Erie, PA that serve alcohol under a liquor license will think twice before allowing minors to enter their premises and drink after what happened to one local bar.
According to a recent GoErie.com story, a West Eighth Street bar in Erie has had its liquor license revoked after law enforcement discovered that the establishment admitted 96 underage customers within one evening. Pennsylvania takes liquor liability very seriously. Bars are responsible for how much alcohol they serve to patrons who may drive drunk and cause injury or fatal accidents. Drunk driving accidents in Erie and throughout the state of Pennsylvania are entirely preventable incidents that often end in serious injury or even death. These types of accidents are even more devastating when underage motorists are found to be drunk.
Based on the article, the commander of the Erie district office of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement stated that there was no option other than revoking the bar owner’s license to serve alcohol. It is understandable, then, for citizens of Erie to support the license being revoked, especially since it appears as if the bar owner neglected to consider the potential for disaster that almost 100 underage drinkers could cause if any of them decided to drive under the influence. The report mentions that the bar owner has not tried to appeal the action revoking his liquor license. Moreover, Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board has deprived the bar of the opportunity to pursue a renewal application for a liquor license.
While the dram shop law applied recently in Erie in relation to a bar, these laws also apply to liquor stores, restaurants, social clubs and private events where liquor is provided. Businesses that rely on alcoholic beverage sales and put their profits before concern for customers and others on the road can be civilly and even criminally prosecuted, depending on the circumstances surrounding a particular drunk driving accident. Servers of alcohol, therefore, may potentially be financially responsible for any destruction or harm that an obviously intoxicated person inflicts upon others, to himself or herself, or even to property. PA liquor liability attorneys with dram shop law experience are available to assist those injured in drunk driving accidents hold negligent parties accountable.
