Were you or a loved one injured in an alcohol-related accident in Illinois? You may be eligible to file suit against the bar, restaurant or nightclub that supplied the alcohol.
- Over 40 years of combined trial experience
- Millions recovered in financial damages
- You owe nothing until we secure compensation
Illinois' dram shop law is a powerful resource for injury victims and their loved ones. Learn more about your options in a free consultation today.
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Injured by a drunk driver in Illinois? Hurt during a bar fight in Chicago? It's natural, after a severe injury, to begin considering lawsuit. It's also reasonable to believe that you'll be filing a lawsuit against the person who directly caused the accident. But in Illinois, you may have a second option, beyond filing suit against the driver who hit you, or the assailant who attacked you.
In the wake of an alcohol-related incident, Illinois' strong dram shop law may allow you to file a claim for compensation against the individual or business that supplied the alcohol.
Filing An Illinois Dram Shop Lawsuit
Illinois has a range of liquor laws. Bars, restaurants, nightclubs and liquor stores are prohibited from serving alcohol to minors, people who are under the age of 21. It's also illegal to serve someone who is visibly intoxicated at the time of service.
Needless to say, these simple rules aren't always followed. Dram shop lawsuits have violations of Illinois' strong liquor code at their core. Victims who can prove that a drunk driver or assailant was served alcohol illegally may be able to secure damages from the licensed who served the alcohol.
Dram shop liability, in limited cases, can even extend to social hosts, like someone who makes alcohol available at a private party. In Illinois, social host liability is limited to cases in which a minor is allowed to drink, then goes on to hurt someone else as a result of their intoxication.
Illinois Dram Shop Statute Of Limitations
Like every form of lawsuit, Illinois has a strict statute of limitations for dram shop claims. This law acts like a legal time limit; choose to file your lawsuit after the statute of limitations has run out and your case will be dismissed. Illinois' statute of limitations for dram shop lawsuits is currently set at 1 year, beginning on the date of injury.
