Dram Shop Liability in Pennsylvania
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Pennsylvania abolished dram shop liability in 1976, leaving injured parties unable to sue bars or stores directly for serving intoxicated patrons.
How Pennsylvania treats Dram Shop Liability
Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not recognize dram shop liability, having eliminated it through legislative action. This means bars and alcohol retailers generally cannot be held liable for injuries caused by intoxicated customers, even if the establishment knowingly served someone who was visibly drunk. The only exception involves service to minors, where limited liability may apply. Injured parties must instead pursue claims against the intoxicated person themselves.
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 Pennsylvania.