Does South Carolina Have Dram Shop Laws?
Although South Carolina recognizes dram shop claims, the state does not have a specific dram shop statute. Instead, dram shop claims have been authorized via decisions handed down by the South Carolina Supreme Court over the years.
Generally, South Carolina law allows dram shop claims where the vendor sold alcohol to:
- An underage patron
- Or someone who was intoxicated
In order to be successful, the injured party must also demonstrate the alcohol sold was a proximate cause of the accident. Essentially, this means that the patron’s intoxication resulting from the illegal sale of alcohol was to blame for the person’s injuries.
To learn more about dram shop claim laws in South Carolina, reach out to our firm today.
Does South Carolina Have Social Host Liability?
While many states also hold social hosts liable if they provide alcohol to a guest who then injures someone else, the state of South Carolina will adopt this typically only if the guest was a minor under the legal drinking age (21). Keep in mind, that South Carolina courts have established that such a claim does not exist if the intoxicated person was of lawful drinking age.
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover?
Because dram shop and social host liability cases are civil claims, that means that the liability of the defendant, which is the business or individual who provided alcohol to the person who caused the accident, is represented only in terms of monetary damages.
These damages can include compensation for losses like:
- Hospital and medical bills
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damage
- And pain and suffering
If you would are unsure about whether you are entitled to damages for your injury, give our firm a call today.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in South Carolina?
Just like other injury claims, an alcohol-related accident claim must be filed in court in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations. Typically, the statute of limitations in South Carolina is three years. Yet, because every situation is different, it is important that you discuss the details of your case with a skilled personal injury attorney to ensure you are meeting your claim’s important deadlines.
If you require legal representation for matters of personal injury, elder abuse, or whistleblower protection, look no further than Mann Blake & Jackson Law. To discover more about our services and how we can assist you, contact our firm today.