Dram Shop Liability in Arizona
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Arizona limits dram shop liability to sales to visibly intoxicated persons; social hosts are generally immune.
How Arizona treats Dram Shop Liability
Arizona Revised Statutes § 34-224 permits lawsuits against establishments that sell alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons when that sale causes injury or death. The statute requires clear evidence that the person was visibly intoxicated at the time of service. Arizona provides immunity for social hosts who serve alcohol at non-commercial gatherings, creating a significant distinction from commercial dram shop liability.
The general definition of Dram Shop Liability
Legal responsibility of bars or stores for harm caused by serving alcohol to intoxicated people.
Dram shop liability holds businesses that sell alcohol accountable when they serve drinks to someone who is already drunk or visibly intoxicated, and that person then causes injury or damage to others. The law recognizes that the bar or store had a duty to refuse service in these situations. If they fail to do so and the customer harms someone—say, by driving drunk—the business can be sued for those damages. The idea is to discourage over-serving and create an incentive for responsible alcohol service.
Read the full Dram Shop Liability entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.