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Murdaugh Law Group

Dram Shop Attorney

Holding Bars and Establishments Accountable for Alcohol-Related Injuries in South Carolina

When alcohol is served irresponsibly, the consequences can be devastating. Drunk driving accidents, violent assaults, and tragic deaths often result when bars, restaurants, or liquor stores overserve patrons. South Carolina’s dram shop laws are in place to hold these establishments accountable—and to help victims seek justice.

At Murdaugh Law Group, we represent individuals and families impacted by alcohol-related incidents throughout South Carolina. Whether your injury occurred in Walterboro, Hampton, Allendale, Orangeburg, Bamberg, Ridgeland, St. Matthews, Charleston, St. George, Beaufort, or Moncks Corner, our legal team is here to help you pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve.

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What Is a Dram Shop Claim?

A dram shop claim is a legal action brought against a business that serves alcohol to a person who is:

  • Clearly intoxicated or
  • Underage

If that person later causes injury or death—most commonly through a car crash—the business that served them alcohol may be held legally responsible.

For example, if a bar in Charleston overserves a patron who later causes a DUI crash on U.S. 17 or I-26, both the driver and the bar could be liable for damages. Similar cases occur in smaller communities like Moncks Corner or Ridgeland, where local taverns may serve known intoxicated patrons without consequence until tragedy strikes.

Where Do Dram Shop Incidents Occur?

Alcohol-related injuries and deaths occur in a wide range of settings:

  • DUI accidents after bar-hopping in Charleston, Beaufort, or Walterboro
  • After-hours fights or assaults outside bars in Orangeburg, Bamberg, or St. Matthews
  • Underage drinking incidents at restaurants or convenience stores in St. George, Allendale, or Hampton
  • Fatal pedestrian or car crashes involving intoxicated patrons leaving local events in Moncks Corner or Ridgeland

If an alcohol-serving establishment failed to follow the law or acted negligently, we can help hold them accountable.

How Murdaugh Law Group Builds Your Case

Dram shop claims can be challenging. Proving that a business knowingly served an intoxicated or underage person often requires investigation, witness testimony, and access to surveillance footage or receipts. Our legal team is experienced in handling these complex cases and will:

  • Investigate where and how alcohol was served
  • Interview witnesses, bartenders, and servers
  • Secure video footage, receipts, or credit card records
  • Work with toxicology and medical experts to analyze intoxication levels
  • Reconstruct timelines to connect service with the incident
  • Identify all liable parties, including drivers and establishments

Our goal is to build a strong case so you can recover full compensation for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one.

Person at a bar drinking alcohol with a set of keys on the bar
Bartender pouring drinks at a bar
Police officer with a breathalyzer testing for DUI

What Damages Can Be Recovered?

Victims of alcohol-related injuries may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages and future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Property damage
  • Funeral and burial expenses (in fatal cases)
  • Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence

We are committed to helping clients in both large cities like Charleston and smaller communities like Bamberg or Allendale recover the compensation they deserve.

Who Can File a Dram Shop Claim?

You may have grounds for a dram shop claim if:

  • You were injured by a drunk driver who was overserved
  • A loved one was killed by someone who became intoxicated at a bar or event
  • You were assaulted by an intoxicated person who had just left a restaurant or store
  • Your underage child was served alcohol that contributed to an accident or injury

We’ll evaluate the details of your case and explain your rights clearly and honestly.

Contact a South Carolina Dram Shop Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to the negligent service of alcohol, don’t wait to act. South Carolina law allows victims to hold bars, restaurants, and stores accountable—but evidence can disappear quickly, and deadlines apply.

Murdaugh Law Group proudly serves clients in Walterboro, Hampton, Allendale, Orangeburg, Bamberg, Ridgeland, St. Matthews, Charleston, St. George, Beaufort, and Moncks Corner. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to help you find justice and peace of mind.

Girl on the side of the road with car keys taking a sobriety test
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