Recovering Compensation Through Civil Dram Shop Claims
The compensation you can recover in a civil dram shop claim parallels the types of damages available in other personal injury claims. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the treatment you require, how much ongoing care you require and other factors, common damages in Georgia civil suits include:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing care costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Limited income caused by disability
- Pain and suffering
It is also important to note that you have a limited amount of time to file a civil suit under Georgia’s negligence laws, which provide the statute of limitations in dram shop cases.
You have two years from the date of the accident to file any claim for compensation in court. In some cases, more pressing deadlines apply. For this reason, it is imperative to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after suffering injuries in a crash.
Do I need a lawyer to pursue a dram shop claim in Georgia?
Dram shop claims require an in-depth knowledge of the law that most individuals outside of personal injury attorneys do not possess. Even in a case where a car accident claim against the drunk driver is fairly simplistic, showing the vendor is responsible for the driver’s actions is difficult.
These claims require extensive investigation, interviewing eyewitnesses, and researching past case law for similar claims. Discussing your case with a knowledgeable Georgia personal injury attorney familiar with state dram shop laws is the best way to determine the merits of your claim.
