You own a restaurant, tavern or bar in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach or one of the other beautiful cities in California and you sell alcohol. What are some of the things you should be concerned about? Do you need special restaurant or liquor liability insurance?
Most states have laws (commonly known as dram shop laws) in place to protect against drunk patrons hurting people when they leave an establishment. However, even though it’s a good idea to keep a close watch on people you are serving alcohol to, California has changed those laws in recent years to lessen the scope of liability.
Probably the first thing a bar or restaurant owner is concerned about from a risk perspective is serving a minor or serving someone who gets too drunk and causes a fatal accident. Sometimes forgotten are the “other” risks that every establishment faces. The type of risks that many other businesses that host customers should be concerned about such as someone twisting an ankle or being accidently injured by an employee of the business. Making sure the restaurant or bar is up to code with fire extinguishers or visible exit signs should never be overlooked.
With any business you would be wise to sit down with a professional and evaluate the risks you face with that type of business.