New Jersey Appellate Division Refines Criteria for Demonstrating a Dram Shop Claim

Over the past several decades, the general public has learned an enormous amount about the dangers of drinking and driving.  In New Jersey accident victims involved in a collision with a drunk driver may have a cause of action against a licensed alcoholic beverage server who serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person pursuant to the New Jersey Licensed Alcoholic Beverage Server Fair Liability Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-1 to 7, commonly referred to as the Dram Shop Act.  The Dram Shop Act was “designed to protect the rights of persons who suffer loss as a result of the negligent service of alcoholic beverage by a licensed alcoholic beverage server while at the same time providing a balanced and reasonable procedure for allocating responsibility procedure for allocating for such losses.”  N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-2. [Read more…]