Expert Witness Services by State

Ryan Dahlstrom accepts hospitality and entertainment expert-witness engagements in all 50 states and is retained by attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants. The sections below summarize dram shop and liquor liability law in the state where your matter is venued.

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Case Experience

Where Ryan Has Been Retained

Ryan Dahlstrom accepts expert-witness engagements in all 50 states. His case experience includes matters in Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Illinois, Utah, Washington, California, New York, Kentucky and other jurisdictions, involving dram shop and liquor liability, security, premises liability, hospitality operations, event safety, restaurant management and bar operations.

Alcohol Service

Dram Shop and Liquor Liability by State

States take very different approaches to alcohol-service liability. Most allow a claim against a licensed establishment that served a visibly or obviously intoxicated person. Some limit the claim to service to minors, and a few do not allow claims against licensed sellers for serving adults. Where a state has no traditional dram shop claim, liquor liability issues can still arise through social-host rules, service to underage persons, and related premises liability and security claims. Each summary covers the governing statute or case law, the standard of proof and the state alcohol regulator.

AlabamaDram Shop Act — "contrary to law"AlaskaLicensed-provider liability under AS 04.21.020 ArizonaStatutory claims only, under A.R.S. § 4-311 Arkansas1999 Dramshop Act CaliforniaLicensee immunity, narrow exception Colorado"Willfully and knowingly" — a high bar ConnecticutStatutory cap and a short notice window DelawareNo dram shop cause of action FloridaImmunity with two narrow exceptions GeorgiaNoticeably intoxicated + knowledge of driving HawaiiCommon-law liquor liability IdahoObvious intoxication + 180-day notice IllinoisDramshop Act and statutory caps IndianaActual knowledge required IowaDramshop Act with mandatory liability insurance KansasNo dram shop remedy KentuckyReasonable-person knowledge standard LouisianaAnti-dram shop statute MaineMaine Liquor Liability Act — negligent and reckless service MarylandNo dram shop liability — Warr v. JMGM Group MassachusettsNegligence built on the service prohibition MichiganName-and-retain requirement MinnesotaCivil Damage Act and written notice MississippiImmunity except visible intoxication MissouriClear and convincing evidence MontanaExclusive statutory remedy, capped, 180-day notice NebraskaNo adult-service claim; minor-service route only NevadaNo dram shop cause of action New HampshireComprehensive statutory liability chapter New JerseyLicensed Server Fair Liability Act New MexicoReasonably apparent intoxication New YorkEvent venues and the Dram Shop Act North CarolinaTwo routes — intoxicated persons and minors, with a cap North DakotaObviously intoxicated — knowing service OhioKnowing service to a noticeably intoxicated person OklahomaCommon-law duty under Brigance OregonVisible intoxication + 180-day written notice PennsylvaniaVisible intoxication under the Liquor Code Rhode IslandLiquor Liability Act South CarolinaCommon-law negligence, no dram shop act South DakotaStatutory return to common-law non-liability TennesseeBeyond a reasonable doubt — a jury finding TexasSafe Harbor UtahApparently under the influence VermontDram Shop Act, revised 2023 VirginiaNo dram shop cause of action WashingtonApparently intoxicated persons West VirginiaUnlawful sale under the ABC Act WisconsinBroad immunity with three narrow exceptions WyomingImmunity for lawful service

Practice Areas

Related Services

Dram Shop Expert WitnessLiquor Liability Expert WitnessNegligent Security Expert WitnessPremises Liability Expert WitnessSlip, Trip & Fall Expert WitnessCase ExperienceVenue TypesFee Schedule

Which State Is Your Matter In?

Submit a case inquiry for a confidential conflicts check. Ryan is retained by plaintiff and defense counsel and accepts engagements in all 50 states.

Submit a Case Inquiry (702) 696-8745