Lawyers Against Drunk Driving

An Informational website for the victims of drunk driving

Dram Shop Laws


​In Minnesota, the legal liability for a drunk driving crash may not be limited to the drunk driver. Under Minnesota law, the party that caused the intoxication of the drunk driver or the party responsible for the intoxication of a minor may be held legally responsible for a drunk driving crash.


Laws that seek to hold additional parties responsible for a drunk driving crash are called “Dram Shop” laws. Below are some of the most important “Dram Shop” statutes in Minnesota.

​340A.801 CIVIL ACTIONS. Subdivision 1.Right of action. A spouse, child, parent, guardian, employer, or other person injured in person, property, or means of support, or who incurs other pecuniary loss by an intoxicated person or by the intoxication of another person, has a right of action in the person's own name for all damages sustained against a person who caused the intoxication of that person by illegally selling alcoholic beverages. All damages recovered by a minor under this section must be paid either to the minor or to the minor's parent, guardian, or next friend as the court directs... 
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​340A.90 CIVIL ACTION; INTOXICATION OF PERSON UNDER AGE 21. Subdivision 1.Right of action.(a) A spouse, child, parent, guardian, employer, or other person injured in person, property, or means of support, or who incurs other pecuniary loss, by an intoxicated person under 21 years of age or by the intoxication of another person under 21 years of age, has for all damages sustained a right of action in the person's own name against a person who is 21 years or older who: (1) had control over the premises and, being in a reasonable position to prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages by that person, knowingly or recklessly permitted that consumption and the consumption caused the intoxication of that person; or (2) sold, bartered, furnished or gave to, or purchased for a person under the age of 21 years alcoholic beverages that caused the intoxication of that person.This paragraph does not apply to sales licensed under this chapter. (b) All damages recovered by a minor under this section must be paid either to the minor or to the minor's parent, guardian, or next friend as the court directs. (c) An intoxicated person under the age of 21 years who caused the injury has no right of action under this section... 

​Beyond the legal resources available through LADD’s webpage, LADD directs you to contact Schmidt Law Firm at schmidtlaw.org to provide legal services for any drunk driving claim that you may have. Schmidt Law Firm is highly experienced in assisting the victims of drunk driving crashes.