Hackensack Dram Shop Liability Lawyer
Dram Shop Liability in Hackensack
If you or a loved one were injured in an alcohol-related accident, you may have a claim against the person who caused your injuries or the establishment that over-served that person alcohol. Contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
At The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., our Hackensack Dram shop liability attorneys ensure our clients the following:
- Personalized attention
- Transparency in all case workings
- Thorough preparation of their case
We never charge any upfront fees and do not get paid unless you do. At The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., we want to inform you of your legal rights and any compensation you are entitled by law. Call our Hackensack personal injury lawyers today.
What Can a Dram Shop Liability Attorney Do for Me?
Dram shop accidents are different from regular alcohol-related accidents. There are multiple parties liable for property damages and injuries. At The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., our experienced personal injury attorneys are prepared to handle these complex cases.
Dram shop liability cases may require the following types of resources:
- Toxicologists
- Accident reconstruction experts
- Private investigators
- Healthcare planners
- Accountants
- Economists
At The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., we have access to all of these resources and can use them to help establish liability and damages against an establishment or a responsible private party. Schedule a consultation with us for a free assessment of your claim.
What is Dram Shop Liability?
Today’s dram shop liability laws get their name from 18th Century England where establishments sold gin by the spoonful or “dram.” These laws are enforced through civil lawsuits that allow injured victims and their families to sue establishments who over-serve alcohol to the intoxicated or serve minors. The personal injury victim or their family can often sue both the establishment that served the alcohol and the intoxicated party.
The New Jersey Legislature adopted the State’s first dram shop statute in 1987, the New Jersey Licensed Alcoholic Beverage Server Fair Liability Act. Also known as the Dram Shop Act, the law constitutes the “exclusive civil remedy for personal injury or property damage resulting from the negligent service of alcoholic beverages by a licensed alcoholic beverage server.”
In order to recover compensation for damages under the Dram Shop Act, a person must:
- Sustain personal injury or property damage as a result of the negligent service of alcoholic beverages by a licensed alcoholic beverage server.
- The server served a visibly intoxicated person, or served a minor, under circumstances where the server knew, or reasonably should have known, that the person served was a minor.
- The injury or damage was proximately caused by the negligent service of alcoholic beverages.
- The injury or damage was a foreseeable consequence of the negligent service of alcoholic beverages.
Dram shop liability cases often involve car accidents and motorcycle accidents caused by a drunk driver. However, these cases are not limited to car accidents. Any type of alcohol-related injury caused by an over-served intoxicated person is included under the law.
How are Victims Compensated in a Dram Shop Liability Case?
Dram shop liability cases are civil claims. Any compensation received by the victim is meant to put them into a position as if the accident did not occur, or make the victim “whole again.” Some compensation is repayment or future payment for calculable expenses.
Calculable losses often include:
- Past and future accident-related medical expenses such as doctor and medical bill, hospital stays, and prescriptions
- Past and future lost wages
- Property damages stemming from the accident
Losses without any fixed dollar amounts are also a factor in compensation. These may be the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Contact a Hackensack Dram Shop Liability Attorneys
New Jersey law gives victims up to two years from the time of the injury to file a dram shop liability claim. Speak with the experienced Hackensack dram shop liability lawyers at the The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., before this deadline expires and before any injuries become a financial burden to yourself or your family. Our attorneys have more than 90+ years of combined experience serving the entire state of New Jersey with personal injury needs. To schedule a free consultation call (201) 928-0300 or via our online contact form.