Parents of Teenager File Suit Citing "Dram Shop" Law
A devastated father and mother have filed a lawsuit against a 24-year-old New Florence driver who killed their 15-year-old son after visiting two bars, reports dailyamerican.com. The parents will be utilizing Pennsylvania’s “Dram Shop” law that permits victims to sue a liquor serving establishment. Under this law, any business or private host can be held responsible if they served to a minor, or to an individual who is already clearly intoxicated, who, later proceeds to cause an accident, as is the case in this story. The driver is being charged with a myriad of charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault while driving drunk, homicide by vehicle, drunken driving, multiple counts of recklessly endangering another person and motor vehicle offenses.
The 15-year-old boy was travelling home after attending a Brittney Spears concert at approximately 1:40 a.m. when the car he was in was struck by a pickup. It turned out the driver had been at one bar from about 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. At midnight, he went to another bar and left only to return again, staying there until 1 a.m. The lawsuit alleges that both bars served the man drinks even though he was already drunk, and they should have prevented him from leaving their businesses.
A lawyer representing the victim’s family said, “You can imagine how devastating it is for them. The holiday is coming up, and they don’t have a son. Imagine what anybody would be going through.”
Statistics from the federal Department of Transportation show that people are significantly more likely to die in an accident when alcohol is involved. In 2005, alcohol was a factor in seven percent of all crashes, but 39 percent of fatal crashes.
Liquor liability cases are extremely difficult - do not attempt to fight these complex cases on your own as multiple parties may be involved. If you have lost a loved one in Pennsylvania due to someone driving while under the influence of alcohol, you need to contact the qualified team of professional liquor liability lawyers at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano LLP who may be able to use the “Dram Shop” law to win you a just settlement. Their lawyers are skilled and have a successful record of winning judgments for their clients, making negligent individuals pay for their carelessness. Contact Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano LLP for a free consultation by calling 1-888-684-7192 today.
Source article: http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/12/11/news/local/news265.txt
