What This Page Covers:
- Responsibility: If a drunk driver causes an accident in Santa Ana, the establishment or social host that served them alcohol, especially if they were over-served or a minor, may be liable under California’s dram shop liability laws.
- Business Liability: California businesses can be held liable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated minors, while social hosts may be responsible for accidents caused by minors served alcohol at private events.
- Proving Dram Shop Liability: To hold a business or social host liable for serving a minor or visibly intoxicated minor, the plaintiff must prove the business served the intoxicated minor and the intoxication directly caused injuries.
- How a Lawyer Can Help: With 40 years of experience and a team of 26 attorneys, Callahan & Blaine offers exceptional defense for dram shop liability cases, leveraging our extensive trial experience and expertise in California’s liability laws and insurance.
- Contact us at (714) 241-4444 or through our contact form to discuss your legal options and protect your interests.
If a drunk driver causes a car accident and injuries in Santa Ana, you may assume the intoxicated individual is responsible. However, if the at-fault party was over-served or was served alcohol as a minor, the establishment who served them may be liable. This concept is called dram shop liability, and if you own a business that serves alcoholic beverages, you may be accused of violating California’s dram shop liability laws. In these cases, you deserve high-quality, trusted legal representation that will fight for your rights and protect your business’s best interests.
At Callahan & Blaine, our team of 29 lawyers has over 700 years of combined experience handling complex dram shop liability claims, giving us the knowledge, skills, and resources to take on yours. With our exceptional services, we have achieved stunning results for our clients, including the largest jury verdict in Orange County history, worth $934 million. Our passionate attorneys thoroughly understand the state laws that apply to your case and how to construct a strong claim with personalized strategies tailored to your unique needs.
Understanding Dram Shop Liability in California
Dram shop liability laws aim to regulate individuals and businesses that sell or serve alcohol to customers or guests and their responsibility to avoid overserving and putting others at risk. While California Civil Code section 1714 states that consuming too much alcohol is the immediate cause of injuries instead of serving it, some exceptions clarify business and social host dram shop liability.
Business Liability
According to California Business & Professions Code section 25602.1, establishments that have a license to sell, serve, or provide alcohol to customers cannot serve a clearly intoxicated minor. This applies to the restaurant or bar owner, servers, bartenders, vendors, and other employees. If a business neglects this responsibility, it may be liable for the actions of the intoxicated minor.
Social Host Liability
If someone hosting an event in their home or on their property serves anyone under 21 alcohol, they may be responsible for an accident the intoxicated minor causes and the resulting damages.
When Is a Santa Ana Business Responsible for Alcohol-Related Injuries?
If someone accuses you or your business of violating California’s dram shop laws, they have the burden of proof. This means you may only be liable if they can prove the following elements:
- You or an employee at your business served alcohol to a minor or visibly intoxicated minor.
- The intoxicated minor caused someone else’s injuries.
- Intoxication played a significant role in causing the accident and injuries.
At Callahan & Blaine, we understand this burden of proof and the evidence we need to gather and analyze to disprove them and counteract the accusations against you and your business. Our Santa Ana dram shop liability lawyers understand the stress that dram shop liability cases can cause, so we do everything possible to alleviate your legal burdens and secure a successful outcome for your business.
3 Reasons to Contact Callahan & Blaine to Help With Your Santa Ana Dram Shop Liability Case
When looking for a Santa Ana lawyer to defend your business in a dram shop liability case, finding one you can trust to protect your rights and fight for a just outcome is crucial. At Callahan & Blaine, we do just that. Our seasoned attorneys understand the overwhelming and complex nature of these cases, so we provide comprehensive support and handle every aspect, allowing you to focus on what matters most. Moreover, we play a pivotal role in your case in the following ways:
Trial Experience
With a 40-year legacy of representing businesses of all sizes and plaintiffs, our world-class trial lawyers understand all perspectives in dram shop liability cases. We are fully prepared to take your case to court and present it to a judge and jury.
Insurance Expertise
Our managing partner, Edward Susolik, has handled over 1,500 mediations in the last 33 years, making him one of the country’s leading insurance experts. This knowledge helps us develop effective and innovative strategies for facing insurance companies and adjusters.
Results
We have secured multi-million dollar settlements for our clients, including a stunning 12-0 defense jury verdict after a two-month trial in a major employment case brought against one of Orange County’s largest corporations. Therefore, you can rely on us to take on your dram shop liability case, no matter how complex or high-value.
Our robust team of 29 lawyers all have at least eight years of experience, so we understand California’s dram shop liability laws and how they may impact your business. We communicate with you from the beginning so you have the knowledge you need to protect your establishment and continue to grow your business.
Protect Your Business with Callahan & Blaine’s Santa Ana Dram Shop Liability Lawyers
When facing accusations of violating California’s dram shop liability laws, you need experienced legal representation to protect your business. At Callahan & Blaine, our team of skilled Santa Ana dram shop liability lawyers has a proven track record of achieving exceptional results, including the largest jury verdict in Orange County history. We understand the complexities of dram shop liability cases and will develop personalized strategies to defend your rights and secure the best possible outcome.
With over a 40-year legacy and a team of 26 attorneys, each with at least eight years of experience, we are equipped to handle even the most challenging cases. Trust Callahan & Blaine to alleviate your legal burdens and protect your interests. Call us at (714) 241-4444 or fill out our contact form to get started.
