Steps To Take after an Alcohol-Related Incident at Your Business

Serving alcohol at your establishment could come with legal risks if an alcohol-related incident occurs. Incidents may include an intoxicated customer injury or a car accident after leaving your business. Certain steps following any alcohol-related incident can limit your exposure to liability with liquor liability insurance. Here are some actions to take after situations involving intoxicated patrons to help safeguard your business:

Report Incident

If an event involves Gift Cards, such as a customer who has consumed too much alcohol and possibly tripped and fell on your business premises, do not hesitate to report it. Report the incident and inform your insurance company as soon as possible to record the event in case memory fades or witnesses remember the occurrence differently. Insurers need to be notified to begin formulating any necessary claim response. 

Review Security Footage

Review surveillance video footage of the day and time when any alcohol-related event was reported to have happened. That offers a record that could come in handy in case of a liability claim, such as in the case of a car accident. Videos depicting the customers’ actions, like aggressiveness, vomiting, and other signs of drunkenness, contribute to the formation of facts. Send copies of the security footage to the liquor liability insurance company that you have taken a policy with.

Interview Witnesses

Search for any employees or customers who saw the incident and document their statements to potentially fill in their perceived details. Do not lead the witness by asking questions about what they saw concerning the situation, but rather ask general questions. Provide insurers with witness statements to use when compiling your report.

Document Injuries or Damage

Also document any incident that resulted in physical injury or property damage. For injuries sustained by patrons or employees, have medical staff note visible wounds and diagnose conditions in the patient’s record. Take photos of any facility damage, like broken fixtures or furniture. The more recorded facts of injuries or damage you can provide, the easier it likely is to fully establish liability claims. 

Comply With Investigations

Expect that regulatory agencies like the police or liquor control board might want to investigate serious alcohol-related occurrences. Comply with any official investigations, but involve legal counsel to protect yourself and your business as well. Investigators might also have the ability to help you figure out how to document the incident to send to your insurance company. It is advisable to answer the investigator’s questions as accurately as you can without defending staff actions or downplaying the situation. 

Analyze Service Practices

Look over your policies concerning the serving of alcohol with incident prevention in mind. Setting restrictions on the amount of alcohol patrons can consume and providing nonalcoholic beverage options could help reduce events. Train staff on how to take action if individuals look like they are under the influence and need to be cut off. Modify current tactics, such as drink promotions, if they don’t include warnings to consume alcohol responsibly.

Review Liquor Liability Insurance

Review your liquor liability insurance policy after an event occurs. Verify that your type of coverage contains sufficient limits of liability and attorney’s fees if you need them. Your policy should cover damages incurred on your business’s premises. If recommended, investigate potential improvements in coverage with umbrella policies for higher limits.

Safeguard Your Business Today

Responsible management of alcohol might include risks, but prompt action following any incident can limit liability. Document events, shore up safety and service practices, cooperate with investigations, and lean on your liquor liability insurance guidance. With the right response, your business can continue safely serving patrons. Reach out to a liquor insurance company to see what policy works best for you.