In the past, "dram shops" referred to bars and liquor stores that sold small quantities of whiskey or liquor. The issue arose when patrons, who had been served at these establishments, got involved in car accidents while driving, resulting in injuries. In today's context, drunk driving accidents often cause severe or catastrophic injuries. Unfortunately, many drunk drivers have inadequate insurance to cover the damages and injuries sustained by victims.
While South Carolina doesn't have a specific statute for dram shop claims, state courts allow injured victims to seek damages and recovery from alcohol-related accidents using the state's alcohol sale statutes and negligence laws. Consequently, it's possible to hold restaurants, bars, and other entities accountable for injuries sustained by the driver of a motor vehicle or boat.
Most adults know that driving under the influence isn't just dumb - it's downright dangerous. They know that DUIs often have long-lasting, traumatic effects for everyone involved. What many people don't know is how closely related DUI and dram shop cases are in South Carolina. Consider the following scenarios:
Perhaps a 24-hour gas station doesn't check an I.D. and sells a case of malt liquor to a minor. The minor becomes intoxicated, and with a blood alcohol level exceeding the state limit, the novice driver wrecks their vehicle. One person is killed, and another is seriously injured. Or, in another instance, a bartender gives an overtly intoxicated person one last drink before they leave. The bartender later finds out that the person they served caused a car accident and injured a family of four.
In South Carolina, there are no specific dram shop statutes in place. Nevertheless, the state's courts strive to offer protection to individuals who have suffered injuries due to a drunk driver. However, filing dram shop claims, proving negligence, and navigating insurance coverage can be complicated and frustrating. That's especially true when you're hurt due to no fault of your own, and you're just trying to get through the recovery process. If you've sustained injuries from a drunk driver and believe that the person's intoxication was caused by a third party, it's time to call a dram shop law firm like Lauren Taylor Law.
Dram shop injury victims choose Lauren Taylor and her team of lawyers because they don't shy away from challenging tavern-keeper liability cases. With exceptional investigative skills, they meticulously gather relevant facts, ask hard questions, and build claims that focus on the most favorable outcomes possible. Â Â
Here at Lauren Taylor Law, we've dedicated our legal careers to assisting individuals in finding solutions to challenging legal issues. We're not in the business of prioritizing quick settlements that don't serve our clients' best interests. With decades of combined trial experience, we're passionate about getting you the compensation you deserve and feel privileged to be your dram shop injury lawyer. If you've been hurt by a drunk driver and believe that the driver's intoxication was due to a third party's negligence, get in touch with our dram shop liability lawyers. We can work together to determine if a third party can be held legally responsible.
Dram shop laws in South Carolina are complex, and the situations leading up to a trial or court case can be nuanced and confusing. Having a reliable, compassionate lawyer by your side is the best way to understand the situation you're in and fight for the compensation you deserve. Here are just a few of the most significant reasons why you should consider hiring a dram shop lawyer:
You can rely on your dram shop lawyer to use legal precedents to demonstrate that the establishment licensee failed to fulfill their legal responsibilities to ensure the safety of patrons and the public. Precedent refers to the extensive body of previous dram shop lawsuit rulings in South Carolina that a court must consider when making decisions.
If you've experienced a serious accident that has impacted your financial and personal well-being, financial compensation can provide some relief. A dram shop injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for a variety of issues, which we'll cover in detail later. In cases where you have lost a spouse in a fatal accident, your lawyer can also help create a compensation proposal that considers the loss of financial and emotional support from that person.
In South Carolina dram shop cases, the court needs evidence that the bar or restaurant served too much alcohol to the customer. Evidence can come in various forms. Your dram shop attorney can handle this thorough and time-consuming task so you don't have to.
In addition to evidence gathering, you'll need an attorney to demonstrate that the person's intoxication directly caused the injuries or property damage in question. Your attorney will gather evidence linking the intoxicated individual to the harm. This meticulous legal work is best performed by a lawyer with experience in dram shop liability, who can fill in the missing timeline details of the day of the incident.
Insurance can help cover medical expenses, property damage, and other losses resulting from an incident. Unfortunately, dealing with insurers when you're already suffering from a serious injury or personal loss can be overwhelming. Hiring a dram shop lawyer not only simplifies this process but also helps ensure you receive all the benefits entitled to you under your policy.
Your dram shop lawyer should prioritize your best interests. Sometimes, that involves negotiating a fair settlement with the alcohol-serving establishment. Other times, the best outcomes come in court. Every dram shop accident claim is unique and requires individual consideration. Effectively presenting a case in front of a judge or jury is a specialized skill possessed by experienced litigators. When you hire an experienced, proactive dram shop injury attorney in Columbia, SC, you can rest easy knowing you'll have strong representation in both private negotiations and in the courtroom.
Today, dram shop laws hold establishments accountable for serving alcohol to intoxicated customers who cause harm. If a bar or restaurant serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then causes a DUI accident, the establishment can be held liable for resulting injuries. The injured party can also pursue legal action against the intoxicated driver. Dram shop laws would also apply if the intoxicated patron caused harm or damage in a manner other than a car accident.
Dram shop laws are legal statutes that hold businesses accountable for serving alcohol to individuals who are already intoxicated or for selling alcohol to minors who then cause harm to themselves or others. If a business has a commercial liquor license or equivalent in South Carolina, liability may be incurred. Some of the most common types of businesses that incur dram shop liability include the following:
In the settings above, the establishment bears liability depending on the actions of their employees. Servers and other staff members who overserve intoxicated customers may be considered negligent. Some common staff positions that can be at fault under South Carolina dram shop law include managers, cashiers, store clerks, bartenders, and servers.
After an intoxicated driver causes an accident that injures another person, the victim can seek compensation from the establishment that overserved the intoxicated person. To successfully recover compensation in a dram shop case, your dram shop injury attorney in Columbia, SC must prove that the business was negligent or intentional in serving a minor or an intoxicated person. At Lauren Taylor Law, our goal is to prove negligence in your dram shop case so that we may recover the maximum amount of damages to help you recover.
To do so, we aim to demonstrate the following
The injuries you sustained were primarily caused by the alcohol consumed by the intoxicated driver, which can be proven if the driver is found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI).
The establishment failed to fulfill its obligations to recognize intoxicated patrons, verify legal drinking age with I.D., refrain from serving alcohol to intoxicated or underage individuals, and arrange for safe transportation for intoxicated customers.
The establishment must have had a reasonable awareness that the customer was either intoxicated or underage. Checking the customer's I.D. can help establish their legal age. The level of intoxication can be assessed by observing the behavior of the individual or by tracking the number and type of drinks served to them within a specific period.
As your dram shop injury attorney in Columbia, SC, one of our biggest jobs is supplying evidence proving that the dram shop in question was negligent. Examples of supporting evidence include the following:
Knowledge of Intoxication Evidence
The plaintiff and attorney must demonstrate that the alcohol establishment was aware or should have been aware that the customer was drunk, by showing that the bar had knowledge of intoxication or should have observed visible signs of drunkenness. Knowledge of intoxication can include knowing:
Visible signs of intoxication can include:
Duty of Care Evidence
Every business has an inherent responsibility to adhere to state law and refrain from serving individuals who are either under the legal drinking age or visibly intoxicated.
Breach of Duty Evidence
Proving that the establishment breached its duty to serve alcohol responsibly and follow the law can include showing that the establishment's employees:
Causation Evidence
An attorney can gather evidence to show that alcohol intoxication directly caused a drunk driving accident or injury by reviewing police reports, arrest records, and court documents. A conviction for DUI, DUAC, or any other alcohol-related offense can serve as compelling proof for legal action.
The short answer to this question is yes. A DUI or DUAC conviction can serve as crucial evidence to support a dram shop liability or drunk driving claim for compensation. Being convicted provides concrete proof that the driver failed in their duty of care, leading to subsequent injuries due to negligence. It's advantageous for victims to enlist a qualified dram shop injury attorney in Columbia, SC to handle their dram shop liability case. Quality dram shop lawyers - like those at Lauren Taylor Law - conduct investigations into the source of the driver's intoxication and ascertain if any establishment contributed to over-serving the driver.
In dram shop liability cases, which are considered personal injury cases, the state allows a three-year window from the date of injury for victims to file a lawsuit against the bar that overserved a patron. If the filing deadline is missed, the judge may dismiss the case unless there is a valid legal exception. If you're thinking about taking legal action, it's important to reach out to Laurent Taylor Law as soon as possible to explore your options.
South Carolina state law ensures that victims of negligence have a way to obtain financial recovery after being injured in a bar or due to the actions of a negligent establishment. It's important to note that not only the victims of drunk driving accidents but anyone injured by an intoxicated person can file a dram shop liability claim. Compensation from dram shop cases can come from a variety of sources, including those below.
In South Carolina, businesses with an alcohol license are required to have at least one million dollars in liquor liability insurance. This insurance covers both economic and non-economic damages suffered by a victim.
If you're the victim of a DUI accident, you can recover economic damages under dram shop liability. Those damages can include the following:
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages in a dram shop liability claim. Those damages may include one or more of the following:
You can also seek punitive damages in a South Carolina dram shop liability case. These damages are awarded to punish a defendant for causing harm due to reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct. Your dram shop lawyer in South Carolina must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's actions met the criteria described in the statute. The burden of proof is higher than that required to win compensatory damages in a dram shop liability case.
In drunk driving accidents, courts may consider awarding punitive damages because driving while intoxicated is a deliberate violation of the law that displays a reckless disregard for others. Unlike in most other cases where punitive damages are capped, South Carolina does not limit the amount awarded in a drunk driving case.
If you've been injured due to another person's negligence and you're ready to fight for damages, it's time to call Lauren Taylor Law. Let our team of dram shop injury lawyers litigate your case and secure maximum compensation for your lost wages, hospital bills, property damage, and other losses. When you partner with a proven, experienced, successful attorney, you can increase your chances of getting full compensation.
We have the skills and trial experience needed to handle complex dram shop claims, just like yours. To learn more about your alcohol-related accident and the opportunity to bring a lawsuit against a dram shop, contact us today to schedule a consultation at the law offices of Lauren Taylor.
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COLUMBIA, SC – No. 4/4 South Carolina opens play in the NCAA Tournament on Sat., March 21, at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks will play the winner of the First Four game between Southern and Samford in a 1 p.m. tipoff on ABC. vs. Gamecock NotablesBy the Numbers7 – Multiple Gamecocks have earned All-America status for the seventh-straight season.9 – South Carolina has posted at least 30 wins in nine of the last 12 season...
COLUMBIA, SC – No. 4/4 South Carolina opens play in the NCAA Tournament on Sat., March 21, at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks will play the winner of the First Four game between Southern and Samford in a 1 p.m. tipoff on ABC.
vs.
Gamecock Notables
By the Numbers7 – Multiple Gamecocks have earned All-America status for the seventh-straight season.
9 – South Carolina has posted at least 30 wins in nine of the last 12 seasons, including each of the last five.
12 – Senior Raven Johnson needs 12 points to reach 1,000 in her career.
Gamecocks Against the FieldThis season, South Carolina has faced 13 of the 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament field, four of which are also in the Sacramento 4 Region, including both of its potential second-round opponents. The Gamecocks went 13-3 against those 13 teams.
In addition to their nine league rivals in the field – Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Vanderbilt – South Carolina played non-conference games against Clemson, vs. Southern Cal, vs. Duke and at Louisville.
The 13 teams include a No. 1 seed, two No. 2 seeds, two No. 3 seeds, a No. 4 seed, two No. 5 seeds, a No. 6 seed, a No. 7 seed, a No. 8 seed, a No. 9 seed and a No. 11 seed.
Home Sweet HomeThe Gamecocks are 562-168 (.770) in home games (some records prior to 1976-77 did not include location of games). Current head coach Dawn Staley is 250-35 at home for a program-best .877 winning percentage.
Playing in its 24th season at Colonial Life Arena, South Carolina boasts a 313-68 (.822) record in the building, including four undefeated seasons since 2013-14. Staley’s share of that record is 247-35 (.876).
South Carolina is 28-5 (.848) in postseason play at home, including a 20-8 (.714) mark at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks are 21-2 (.913) in NCAA Tournament games at home.
Tournament TalkSouth Carolina is in its 22nd NCAA Tournament and its 14th straight under head coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks are 55-18 overall in the event with 15 Sweet 16 appearances, nine Elite Eight seasons, seven Final Four showings and three National Championships.
The Gamecocks have been a regional No. 1 seed 10 times, including three seasons as the overall No. 1 seed (2022, 2023, 2024). They are 39-5 as a No. 1 seed.
In her 26th season as a head coach, Staley has taken a team to the NCAA Tournament 20 times. She is 49-16 at the event, including a 47-10 mark at South Carolina and a 21-2 mark over the last four tournaments.
All-American GirlsA trio of Gamecocks have received All-America honors this season, led by forward Joyce Edwards who has been on every list’s second team. She is just the eighth Gamecock sophomore all-time to earn All-America status, most recently joining Staley-era greats Aliyah Boston (2021), A’ja Wilson (2016) and Tiffany Mitchell (2014).
Senior Raven Johnson earned third-team honors from the Associated Press and honorable mention nods from USA Today and the USBWA. It is the first season she has received the label.
Senior Ta’Niya Latson claimed All-America recognition for the fourth straight season as she drew honorable mention honors from the Associated Press.
This season marks the seventh-straight that multiple Gamecocks have earned All-America status.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A bill regulating hemp products in South Carolina cleared its hurdle inside the state Senate after weeks of discussion and debate.Wednesday night, Senators failed to pass the hemp regulation bill, leaving it’s future uncertain, but then revived it on Thursday evening.Senators then passed an amended bill on Thursday under a deal that would allow low-potency, canned THC beverages to be sold at retail stores that have beer and wine licenses. Those beverages could include up to five milligrams of THC in...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A bill regulating hemp products in South Carolina cleared its hurdle inside the state Senate after weeks of discussion and debate.
Wednesday night, Senators failed to pass the hemp regulation bill, leaving it’s future uncertain, but then revived it on Thursday evening.
Senators then passed an amended bill on Thursday under a deal that would allow low-potency, canned THC beverages to be sold at retail stores that have beer and wine licenses. Those beverages could include up to five milligrams of THC in a 12 oz. can and would need to be kept behind a counter.
Under the bill, higher-potency drinks like 12 oz. cans with up to 10 milligrams of THC, and 750 milliliter bottles would be allowed to be sold at liquor stores alongside gummies. The gummies, restricted to packs of four that are 10 milligrams each of THC, 40 milligrams total in a pack, would also need to be kept behind the counter at liquor stores.
“That’s the number one thing,” said Sen. Michael Johnson (R-York). “We want to regulate this product, make sure those who shouldn’t be around it aren’t and so that was the entire intent of today.”
“We are going to force alcoholics into liquor stores to get gummies,” said Sen. Ed Sutton (D-Charleston). “I think that is a very bad mistake.”
The measure would still need to formally pass the Senate through a third reading on Tuesday. The amended bill would then need to pass the South Carolina House of Representatives, which struggled to pass its own hemp regulations earlier this year.
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The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced the opening of the first vertical farm inside a U.S. prison, launching a new agricultural training initiative at the Camille Graham Correctional Institute in Columbia.The four-container vertical farm, developed through a partnership with nonprofits Impact Justice and farm equipment manufacturer AmplifiedAg, is expected to produce more than 40,000 pounds of fresh produce annually. The harvest will be used to supply the prison, as well as low-income communities, with crops grown and...
The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced the opening of the first vertical farm inside a U.S. prison, launching a new agricultural training initiative at the Camille Graham Correctional Institute in Columbia.
The four-container vertical farm, developed through a partnership with nonprofits Impact Justice and farm equipment manufacturer AmplifiedAg, is expected to produce more than 40,000 pounds of fresh produce annually. The harvest will be used to supply the prison, as well as low-income communities, with crops grown and maintained by incarcerated women.
The workforce development project aims to bring modern agricultural practices into rehabilitation programs inside prisons. Program participants will get classroom instruction and hands-on training, officials said at the project’s unveiling March 19.
Leaders said the initiative is designed to increase access to nutritional foods within the facility and give prisoners a chance to learn employable skills, including operating and maintaining advanced farming systems.
Impact Justice CEO Alex Busansky hopes the vertical farm will be a catalyst for “a national movement” to prove that these farms work, create opportunities and improve lives.
The organization will also work with S.C. agribusiness partners to help connect inmates with job opportunities upon release. The goal is to create a pipeline to employment.
The opening was attended by S.C. Department of Corrections Director Joel Anderson, S.C. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers and AmplifiedAg CEO Dave Flynn.
The farm is built out of retrofitted shipping containers and outfitted with LED grow lights, climate control systems and vertical growing racks. Crops such as leafy greens and herbs can be grown in the controlled environment. Vertical farming is the process of growing groups in vertical layers within an enclosed environment, using soilless systems like hydroponics. Vertical farms enable year-round high crop yield with up to 95 percent less water and significantly less land.
The greens grown in the vertical farms mature within a 36-day period, as opposed to the average 55 days in a traditional field.
Two other farms in Oakland and Chowchilla, California, are poised to receive a similar system. A third farm will be opened at the Impact Justice office in Oakland, as well.
Officials emphasized that programs like this play a role in reducing recidivism rates — or someone returning to prison after release — by providing practical skills and a sense of purpose. They hope the initiative will serve as a model for programs nationwide.
Celebrating Women’s History Month with an Immersive Business Conference for Women Authors and Publishing Professionals — March 26–28, 2026 • Columbia, SCCOLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES, March 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Women in Publishing Summit announces the inaugural in-person WIP LIVE: #WIPCON conference, March 26–28, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC—a deliberate choice to honor Women’s History Month! Founded to amplify women’s voices, Women i...
Celebrating Women’s History Month with an Immersive Business Conference for Women Authors and Publishing Professionals — March 26–28, 2026 • Columbia, SC
COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES, March 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Women in Publishing Summit announces the inaugural in-person WIP LIVE: #WIPCON conference, March 26–28, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC—a deliberate choice to honor Women’s History Month! Founded to amplify women’s voices, Women in Publishing Summit was built on the belief that women who have a story to tell deserve every resource, connection, and strategy necessary to bring that work into the world at full volume. With 35,000+ email subscribers, 8,000+ Facebook group members, 1,000+ annual virtual summit attendees, and 200,000+ podcast downloads, WIP has become one of the most engaged communities in independent publishing. WIPCON is its fullest in-person expression.
“WIPCON was built differently. You leave with work done—content created, collaborations identified, a revenue strategy mapped. Not plans. Results.” —Alexa Bigwarfe, Founder A Working Conference — Not a Passive One WIPCON is not a traditional writing or publishing conference. Over 2.5 days, women authors and publishing professionals stop consuming and start building — leaving with real content, a mapped revenue strategy, identified collaboration partners, and a 90-day action plan.
Thursday, March 26: Welcome Happy Hour and networking mixer (6:00–8:00 PM)
Friday, March 27: LEARN: Expert-led sessions on storytelling, social media strategy, visibility, and revenue — closing with the Genius Games, an interactive experience to identify strengths and collaboration partners.
Saturday, March 28 — BUILD: Small-group implementation labs with the same experts: Social Media and; Content, Sales and Collaboration, and Visibility and Speaking. Closes with a 90-Day Collaborative Action Plan.
Sunday, March 29 — VIP Day (capped at 15): 1:1 strategy sessions, mentorship, and content filming.
Featured Speakers: Alexa Bigwarfe • Porsché Mysticque • Julie Lokun • April Pertuis • Tayler Simon • Annette Flavel • Cayce LaCorte • Raewyn Sangari • Jennifer Wilkov • Tara Abbott • Parchelle and; Portia Michele Osumaré.
Event Details: Dates: March 26–28, 2026 • Location: Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC, 630 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201
Tickets: $347 General Admission • Register: writepublishsell.thrivecart.com/wincon-26/ Info: womeninpublishingsummit.com/columbia • Media: support@womeninpublishingsummit.com
About Women in Publishing Summit: Founded by Alexa Bigwarfe, Women in Publishing Summit exists to amplify women’s voices, elevate women’s stories, and build a community where women in publishing are better together. WIP hosts an annual virtual summit with 40+ workshops, monthly programming, and a growing ecosystem of resources for authors and publishing professionals at every stage.
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NOTE: The above video is a livestream of WIS featuring current newscasts, Soda City Living and Gray Media’s Local News Live.COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Several Midlands school districts have announced school closures and eLearning days for Monday due to potential severe weather across the region.LEXINGTON 3Lexington County School District Three announced it will shift to an eLearning Day due to potential severe weather on Monday.The district says there will be no work for students to do on Mo...
NOTE: The above video is a livestream of WIS featuring current newscasts, Soda City Living and Gray Media’s Local News Live.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Several Midlands school districts have announced school closures and eLearning days for Monday due to potential severe weather across the region.
LEXINGTON 3
Lexington County School District Three announced it will shift to an eLearning Day due to potential severe weather on Monday.
The district says there will be no work for students to do on Monday. Instead, students will receive their make-up eLearning assignments on Tuesday, March 17th. Students will have the option to complete their eLearning assignments on their own time. All assignments will be due by no later than Thursday, April 2nd.
All after-school events, including sports practices, sports games, meetings, adult education classes, etc., scheduled for Monday, March 16th, are cancelled.
LEXINGTON ONE
Lexington One is switching to eLearning on Monday, March 16, 2026
All after-school events and activities are canceled, and campuses are also closed for the day.
You can click here to review the district’s eLearning guidelines and directions.
LEXINGTON TWO
Lexington Two is closing all offices and schools on Monday, March 16.
All afternoon and evening activities are also canceled on Monday, including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, and adult education classes.
DISTRICT 5 OF LEXINGTON AND RICHLAND COUNTIES
LR5 will not have school due to previous scheduling.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Orangeburg County School District will observe an eLearning Day. All after-school programs, extracurricular activities, athletic practices, and games scheduled for tomorrow are canceled due to the expected weather conditions.
LEE COUNTY
Lee County School District has designated Monday, March 16, 2026, as an eLearning Day.
KERSHAW COUNTY
Kershaw County School District is shifting to an e-Learning Day for Monday. All Monday after-school activities and sporting events are also cancelled.
WIS will update this article with more school changes once announced.
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