What Is Liquor Liability Exclusion?
Any business that serves or sells alcoholic beverages has certain public safety responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to ensure that customers are safe. When a customer is over-served alcohol, this puts other parties at risk of injury.
Business owners purchase liquor liability insurance to protect themselves against losses or damages that may arise from the selling or serving of alcohol. Some of these damages include:
- Drunk driving injuries
- Property damage
- Fights and physical altercations
- Medical conditions related to alcohol consumption
- Permanent injury or death
In some states, including Washington and Oregon, “dram shop” laws exist to hold businesses accountable for injuries that occur as a result of serving alcohol, even if the injury occurred outside of their establishment.
Generally, the only way businesses can absolve themselves of liability is through the purchase of liquor liability insurance.
Liquor Liability Exclusion Explained
Most insurance policies for businesses do not cover damages associated with the furnishing of alcoholic beverages. This is known as “liquor liability exclusion.”
When an insurance policy includes a liquor liability exclusion clause, it’s the owner’s responsibility to purchase the appropriate coverage. If a bar or restaurant isn’t covered by liquor liability, it can be held accountable for any injuries sustained from the sale of alcohol in its establishment.
If you or a loved one were injured as a result of someone who became too drunk at a bar, you may be able to sue the business for damages.
Filing a Liquor Liability Exclusion Lawsuit
If you sustained injuries when a business did not have liquor liability insurance, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit to hold the establishment accountable and receive the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured as a result of a drunk individual, you can sue the business that served them alcohol for damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages due to injury
- Damage to your property
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Future loss of earnings
When a business fails to serve customers responsibly, and it doesn’t have liquor liability insurance, it can become a responsible party in a personal injury lawsuit.
Consult with an Experienced Liquor Liability Attorney
Liquor liability exclusion can be the catalyst for a personal injury lawsuit.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help assess the evidence in your claim. If they determine that liquor liability exclusion is a factor in your personal injury, you can be eligible to pursue rightful compensation.
Our team at Harlan Law Firm has served as a passionate voice for injury victims in the Portland and Vancouver metro area since 2006. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.