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Simple English definitions for legal terms
civil-liability act
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A quick definition of civil-liability act:
A civil-liability act, also known as a dram-shop act, is a law that allows someone who has been injured by an intoxicated person to sue the commercial seller of alcoholic beverages for damages. This law was created to hold businesses accountable for serving alcohol to people who are already drunk and may cause harm to others. Some states have overturned the common law rule and created a common law dram shop action, which means that liability is based on statutes that regulate the liquor business and prohibit certain sales by liquor licensees.
A more thorough explanation:
A civil-liability act, also known as a dram-shop act, is a law that allows a person who has been injured by an intoxicated customer to sue the commercial seller of alcoholic beverages for damages. This law is often supported by the temperance movement and is designed to hold businesses accountable for the actions of their customers.
For example, if a person is injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver who was served alcohol at a bar, the injured person may be able to sue the bar for damages under a civil-liability act. The bar could be held responsible for serving alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or for serving alcohol to a minor.
Civil-liability acts are not universal across all states, but they are becoming more common. Some states have even created common law dram shop actions, which allow injured parties to sue businesses for damages even without a specific statute in place.