You Won’t Believe Why This Pennsylvania Bar Was Sued
When bars are sued for personal injury, it’s usually because they served too much alcohol to a drunk driver who then crashed into an innocent person. This is possible due to Pennsylvania’s “dram shop” laws. But this isn’t the only way in which bars can be sued for serving too much alcohol. As a recent personal injury lawsuit shows us, these establishments can also be sued for injuries that do not involve drunk drivers:
Woman Falls Off Barstool After Being “Continuously” Served Vodka and Beer
On February 2nd of 2023, it was reported that a woman from Bell Township had become a quadriplegic after falling from a barstool. She claims that she suffered this injury due to the negligence of bartenders who continuously served her beer and vodka despite the fact that she was visibly intoxicated. After one too many, she fell from her barstool and suffered spinal injuries, a concussion, and a range of other ailments. According to her lawsuit, she has developed adjustment disorder and depression.
Although these lawsuits are somewhat rare, they’re certainly not unheard of. In fact, at least one person in Pennsylvania sued after falling from a barstool in a very similar manner. That lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, and this woman could experience the same result – walking away with compensation for her injuries.
At first, it might seem ridiculous to sue a bar for serving you alcohol that you ordered. You might think that adults should bear at least some responsibility for their own actions – especially when it comes to consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. However, the laws in Pennsylvania are quite clear: It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone who is visibly intoxicated. There’s no getting around that fact. And if this particular bar did indeed sell alcohol to someone who was visibly and obviously intoxicated, this is a clear sign of negligence. If the plaintiff can establish that the bar was negligent, then they must receive compensation.
What Is Negligence?
If you’re approaching a personal injury lawsuit for the first time, it’s important to understand the concept of negligence. In the United States, you usually need to establish that four elements were present in order to prove negligence:
- Duty of Care
- Breach of Duty
- Causation
- Injuries
Because serving alcohol to someone visibly intoxicated is against the law in Pennsylvania, this constitutes a clear breach of duty. If the plaintiff can establish the other three elements, then they have a high chance of gaining compensation.
Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Scranton personal injury attorney, look no further than the Needle Law Firm. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs – including those who have been harmed by negligent property owners. Whether you suffered a slip on an icy sidewalk or a tumble from a barstool, you deserve to pursue justice and compensation for your injuries. Book your consultation today, and we can help you get started with an effective action plan.
Sources:
triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/bell-township-bar-sued-by-woman-who-claimed-injuries-caused-by-drunken-fall-from-stool-resulted-in-injuries/
law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
