Scott Hetrick, Adams and Reese Partner and Labor and Employment Practice Team Leader, was interviewed in the Birmingham Business Journal in the article, “Dram Shop Liability Act May Offer Boost to Local Bars, Restaurants.” The article appeared on Aug. 24 in the online edition.
The Alabama Legislature recently passed the Dram Shop Liability Act (SB104) to amend Alabama’s 1909 Dram Shop Act, Ala. Code § 6-5-71. The law became effective on April 19, 2023 when signed by Governor Kay Ivey.
SB104 establishes a new general rule that any person who sells, furnishes, or serves alcoholic beverages to “an individual of lawful drinking age” is not liable for injury, death, or damage caused by or resulting from the intoxication of that individual, including injury or death to other individuals. SB104 then amends the original liability section of the Dram Shop Act to eliminate the former “strict liability” standard and to impose a new “knowing” liability standard.
Hetrick recently wrote an industry thought leadership article on the Dram Shop Liability Act. Read the article here.