In Pennsylvania, individuals who are harmed by drunk drivers may file lawsuits against irresponsible and reckless bar owners, as well as the intoxicated drinker. This is called the Dram Shop law in Pennsylvania. Our Lehigh valley alcohol liability lawyers have had success suing bars as a result of Pennsylvania dram shop violations.

An intoxicated person who causes a serious accident while operating an automobile, as well as the business, establishment, owner/employee, or social host who gave alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or minor is legally responsible for any damage that that person may cause.

Severe injuries, such as brain injury, spinal cord injury and amputation can be the result of a drunk driving accident. Unfortunately, many accidents even result in death.

Pennsylvania law states in part that “it shall be unlawful” for bars to serve persons who are “visibly intoxicated.” This means that if a bar serves a visibly drunken individual and he or she is injured or injures someone else, the bar is responsible.

The Trapani Law Firm proudly fights against drunk driving and the resulting serious injuries and fatalities. It is important that the people who irresponsibly sell alcohol to an individual that is visibly intoxicated be held financially responsible for the resulting injuries. Pennsylvania law is clear that it is illegal to sell alcohol to either a minor or a person who is visibly intoxicated. Call our Allentown personal injury lawyers anytime for a free consultation.

The Trapani Law Firm has the dram shop liquor knowledge and experience necessary to litigate drunk driving auto accidents and hold the owners of bars, restaurants, liquor stores, hotels and social hosts responsible for injuries or deaths caused by a drunk driver.

Expanding the Scope of Liquor Liability: Protecting Victims Beyond Drunk Driving Accidents

At the Trapani Law Firm, we understand the devastating impact that alcohol abuse, addiction, and alcohol-induced accidents can have on individuals and their families. As dedicated Philadelphia Liquor Liability Lawyers and Lehigh Valley Liquor Liability Lawyers, we are here to provide compassionate legal support to victims of accidents caused by negligence in the distribution, sale, or service of alcohol.

While much attention is given to the tragic consequences of drunk driving, it’s important to recognize that alcohol-related accidents extend far beyond the road. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident linked to someone else’s misconduct or negligence involving alcohol, you may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit against multiple responsible parties.

In certain cases, accountability and legal liability for alcohol-induced accidents, such as assaults, alcohol poisoning, or incidents involving minors, may be shared between more than one party—such as bars, liquor distributors, or even event organizers. Our team is here to help you explore these complexities and determine where responsibility lies.

In the sections that follow, we’ll outline examples of Lehigh Valley alcohol-induced accidents and other scenarios where victims can seek justice. The Trapani Wrongful Death Law Firm’s experienced and trustworthy lawyers, our mission is to advocate for your rights and hold negligent parties accountable. By doing so, we aim to promote safety on our roads and ensure that alcohol is distributed responsibly to informed and conscious adults.

Devastating Statistics of Alcohol-Induced Accidents

The impact of alcohol abuse on safety and public health is profound, as reflected in sobering statistics from various aspects of life in the United States:

• Workplace accidents: According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol is a factor in approximately 11% of workplace injuries annually, underscoring the risks of impaired performance on the job​ 
• Child-related incidents: Reports indicate that thousands of accidents annually involve impaired caregivers, though precise figures are often underreported due to the private nature of these incidents​.
• Medical malpractice: Alcohol or drug impairment among healthcare providers is responsible for an estimated 1% of malpractice claims annually, with significant risks to patient safety​.
• Road accidents: In 2023, alcohol-impaired drivers caused over 11,000 fatalities, accounting for nearly 30% of all traffic-related deaths.
• Personal injuries: According to National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), alcohol consumption is linked to a substantial number of personal injury cases, particularly in public venues like bars and events​.
• Deaths from alcohol-related incidents: Alcohol is implicated in approximately 95,000 deaths annually, including causes such as poisoning, accidents, and chronic conditions​.
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These figures are a stark reminder of alcohol’s devastating potential, reinforcing the need for measures such as sobriety checks for drivers, workers, and professionals in critical roles. Public awareness and legal accountability play vital roles in minimizing these preventable tragedies.

Philadelphia Liquor Liability Lawyer – Alcohol’s Devastating Impact on Pregnant Women and Fetuses  

Alcohol’s impact during pregnancy: In the U.S., approximately 1 in 10 pregnant women report drinking alcohol, which can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other congenital disabilities. FAS affects about 1-3 infants per 1,000 live births, and alcohol exposure during pregnancy may lead to growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, and lifelong cognitive impairments. Breastfeeding mothers consuming alcohol risk passing it to their infants, potentially affecting their development​ 

Alcohol and minors: Early alcohol use among children and teens poses severe health and safety risks. About 14% of high school students binge drink, and underage drinking contributes to over 4,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Minors consuming alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, leading to accidents, violence, and other injuries (Injury Facts​).

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the consequences of alcohol misuse or negligence, consulting with our knowledgeable Philadelphia liquor liability attorney can help explore legal options to seek justice and accountability.

Philadelphia Liquor Liability in Workplace Accidents

If your loved one suffered a fatal or catastrophic workplace accident due to a drunk worker—such as a fall, machinery mishap, or vehicular crash—the responsible parties might extend beyond just the intoxicated employee. Employers have a duty to maintain a safe work environment, which includes ensuring that workers are sober while performing tasks, especially in high-risk environments like construction sites. If the employer failed to enforce sobriety policies, conduct routine checks, or provide adequate supervision, they may share liability under negligence laws. 

Additionally, if the workplace lacked policies to detect or address alcohol abuse, the employer might be deemed partially responsible. Workers’ compensation benefits may cover medical costs and lost wages, but victims or their families can also explore third-party lawsuits for gross negligence by employers or suppliers who contributed to the unsafe conditions.

When Minors Are Served Alcohol

If your child or teenager was served alcohol at a bar, public event, or dram shop, the establishment violated state and federal laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. Under dram shop liability laws, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit for damages if your child suffered harm or caused injury to others while intoxicated. Even if the minor used a fake ID or lied about their age, the establishment bears responsibility for verifying customers’ identities and refusing service to anyone under 21. When a minor sustains injuries due to intoxication—whether in a fall, vehicle accident, or alcohol poisoning—the seller may be liable for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and emotional trauma.

Philadelphia Minors Liquor Liability – Negligence on School Trips

If your minor consumed alcohol during a school trip under the care of teachers or chaperones and suffered injuries while intoxicated, the caregivers may have breached their duty of care. Schools and supervising staff are responsible for the safety and sobriety of students during trips. If negligence—such as failing to supervise or allowing access to alcohol—contributed to the injuries, both the teachers and the school might be liable for damages.

Philadelphia Liquor Distributors’ Negligence – Misrepresentation of Non-Alcoholic Beverages

If a bartender serves alcohol to a pregnant woman or driver requesting a non-alcoholic drink, the seller can be held liable, especially if the misrepresentation leads to harm or increased risk. Even if no harm occurs, the seller could face legal action for negligence, as their actions potentially endangered lives.

Philadelphia Drunk Truck Accident – Drunk Drivers of Commercial Vehicles

When a drunk driver operating a truck, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer causes a Philadelphia truck accident, multiple parties may be liable beyond the driver. The trucking company, vehicle owner, or employer might share responsibility if they failed to screen drivers for sobriety, ignored prior alcohol violations, or pressured drivers to meet deadlines that encouraged unsafe behavior. Liability could also extend to maintenance providers or manufacturers if vehicle issues contributed to the accident.

Philadelphia Medical Malpractice – Healthcare Provider Under Influence of Alcohol

If a healthcare provider causes harm due to alcohol impairment, liability may extend to:

• The healthcare professional (for negligence and impairment).

• Their employer or hospital (for inadequate supervision or failing to address known substance abuse).

1. Licensing boards (if they failed to revoke or suspend licenses despite known violations).
   Patients harmed by such negligence can pursue Philadelphia medical malpractice lawsuits for damages.

Lehigh Valley Liquor Liability Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Wrongful death lawsuits linked to alcohol can arise in various circumstances, including:

1. Philadelphia drunk driving accidents where a drunk driver causes a fatal crash.
2. Alcohol poisoning due to over-serving at a bar or public event.
3. Workplace accidents involving intoxicated workers or negligence by employers.
4. Violent assaults fueled by alcohol served to a visibly intoxicated person.
5. Neglect or abuse in caregiving situations where the guardian was intoxicated.

Liable parties in such cases might include bars, event organizers, employers, or caregivers. Wrongful death claims can help families secure compensation for funeral costs, loss of income, and emotional suffering. Consulting our experienced Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia Liquor Liability Lawyer ensures that all responsible parties are held accountable.

The liquor liability attorneys at The Trapani Law Firm handle cases throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania on a contingency basis, meaning you will not pay unless you are financially compensated. Our offices are conveniently located in Allentown, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Scranton, and State College to better serve our clients across the state.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a drunk driving auto accident or any other alcohol-related injury caused by the negligence of an irresponsible party, please contact an Allentown dram shop lawyer at The Trapani Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (610) 351 – 2330 or contact us.