Dram Shop Liability in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Tort Law
Tennessee imposes dram shop liability only for serving alcohol to underage individuals, not visibly intoxicated adults.
How Tennessee treats Dram Shop Liability
Tennessee's dram shop statute focuses narrowly on underage service. A bar or store that sells alcohol to someone under 21 can be held liable for injuries caused by that minor's intoxication. However, Tennessee does not extend dram shop liability to serving visibly intoxicated adults, making it more restrictive than many states. The law applies to both on-premises and off-premises vendors.
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 Tennessee.