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.
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 Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek, 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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GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – At the Goose Creek Recreation Center, the sounds of laughter, educational activities, and shared stories have become increasingly familiar for the last several years. Now, the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians is preparing to build on that momentum, announcing an expanded 2026 calendar of free culture classes, community gatherings, and heritage tourism initiatives designed to bring Indigenous traditions into public view — and public participation.The yearlong program will offer monthly, hands-on cu...
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – At the Goose Creek Recreation Center, the sounds of laughter, educational activities, and shared stories have become increasingly familiar for the last several years. Now, the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians is preparing to build on that momentum, announcing an expanded 2026 calendar of free culture classes, community gatherings, and heritage tourism initiatives designed to bring Indigenous traditions into public view — and public participation.
The yearlong program will offer monthly, hands-on culture classes open to residents and visitors alike, focusing on Indigenous arts, foodways, music, dance, and environmental knowledge rooted in the Lowcountry. Tribal leaders say the initiative is about more than preserving tradition — it’s about strengthening community ties across generations and cultures.
“These classes are about more than learning a skill,” said Joshua Shumak, Vice Chief of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians. “They are about building bridges—between generations, between cultures, and between communities. By sharing folk life and folk art traditions in open, welcoming spaces, we strengthen cultural understanding, support heritage tourism, and ensure these traditions continue for future generations.”
What began three years ago as a small series of workshops has evolved into a robust cultural calendar, reflecting growing interest from both tribal members and the broader community. In partnership with the Goose Creek Recreation Center, the Tribe has steadily expanded access to Indigenous cultural education, responding to increased participation and intergenerational engagement.
Monthly culture classes will be held on the second Saturday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., free of charge. The 2026 lineup includes Dream Catcher making in January, Basketry in February, Drum Painting in March, and Pottery in April — each class combining practical instruction with historical and cultural context.
In May, the program will pause for a special Community Picnic, Dance, and Drum Showcase at the Wassamasaw Community Farm. The gathering will feature performances by participants from the Tribe’s drum and dance classes and highlight the Youth Garden Project, emphasizing food sovereignty, youth engagement, and community wellness.
Summer and fall sessions will continue with Frybread in June, Bone Bead Bracelet making in July, Loom Beading in August, and Gourd Art in September.
The year’s programming will culminate in one of the region’s most significant Indigenous cultural events: the Wassamasaw Powwow, scheduled for October 10, 2026, at Old Santee Canal Park in nearby Moncks Corner. The powwow replaces the regular October class and brings together dancers, drummers, artists, and community members for a day of cultural celebration, education, and exchange.
The final months of the year will include Soap Making in November and Plant Identification and Uses in December, with the possibility of outdoor, hands-on learning at the Community Farm.
In addition to the monthly classes, the Tribe will continue its ongoing cultural practice programs, including Men’s Drum Classes led by Kaya Littleturtle of the Warpaint Singers and Women’s Dance Classes taught by Sierra Russell, featuring Traditional, Fancy, and Jingle Dance styles.
The Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians traces its roots back centuries to the lands and waterways of present-day Berkeley and Charleston counties. Despite generations of displacement and cultural erasure, the Tribe has remained a living community, preserving kinship networks, cultural knowledge, and a deep relationship to place.
Today, that legacy continues through education, land stewardship, and community-based programming — efforts that tribal leaders say are essential to keeping culture alive, not just remembered.
Local partnerships have played a key role. In 2025, the Tribe honored the Michael J. Heitzler Recreation Complex with its Bridge Builder Award, recognizing the facility’s support in expanding Indigenous programming and strengthening relationships within Goose Creek.
As interest in cultural tourism grows across the Lowcountry, the Wassamasaw Tribe sees its 2026 programming as an invitation — to learn, to participate, and to celebrate Indigenous culture as a living, evolving presence.
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) — A new high-tech manufacturing facility, now open in Berkeley County, is set to play a key role in the future of the U.S. Navy while delivering long-term economic benefits to the local community.Defense contractor Leonardo DRS officially cut the ribbon on its new naval power manufacturing facility in Goose Creek, a more than 140,000-square-foot site designed to build and test electric power and propulsion systems for U.S. Navy submarines.Company leaders say the facility will be used to manufactur...
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) — A new high-tech manufacturing facility, now open in Berkeley County, is set to play a key role in the future of the U.S. Navy while delivering long-term economic benefits to the local community.
Defense contractor Leonardo DRS officially cut the ribbon on its new naval power manufacturing facility in Goose Creek, a more than 140,000-square-foot site designed to build and test electric power and propulsion systems for U.S. Navy submarines.
Company leaders say the facility will be used to manufacture and test submarine propulsion systems, supporting naval vessels expected to remain in service for decades.
“This is the formal opening of our brand new facility here that will be used for building and testing submarine propulsion systems,” said Jon Miller, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems.
The Goose Creek site will test motors and build generators for the U.S. Navy, including systems for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, the next generation of U.S. submarines designed to carry nuclear missiles. The Columbia-class is expected to serve as a cornerstone of the Navy’s fleet well into the second half of the century.
“We’re providing equipment for submarines that will be in the oceans out through the 2080s,” a Leonardo DRS executive said.
Local leaders say the impact of the investment goes beyond national defense. Berkeley County officials point to skilled, long-term jobs, opportunities for local contractors, and new tax revenue generated by the facility.
Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said that revenue from the site could help fund public safety and education each year.
“With the tax revenue from this one site, we can hire new paramedics, two new EMS employees, new sheriff’s deputies each year,” Cribb said. “And with the money that will go to the school district from this one site, 10 new teachers this year and every year, so that is significant.”
Officials also say Berkeley County’s low tax rate, access to major highways, and proximity to the Port of Charleston made the area an attractive location for the investment.
Leonardo DRS leaders say the Goose Creek facility represents just the first phase of development, with future expansion planned to increase manufacturing and testing capacity. The company expects the site to support production for decades.
“We’ll be building that product here in the 2040s, 2050s, and perhaps beyond,” a Leonardo DRS naval power executive said. “We’re talking about jobs for generations.”
HII celebrates one year of operations at Newport News Shipbuilding in Goose Creek, emphasizing increased production and community engagement.Quiver AI SummaryHII celebrated the one-year anniversary of Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations in Goose Creek, South Carolina, with a town hall event for employees and community leaders. NNS President Kari Wilkinson praised the team's contributions to U.S. Navy programs, highlighting the successful ramp-up of production since the facility's acquisition in January 2025....
HII celebrates one year of operations at Newport News Shipbuilding in Goose Creek, emphasizing increased production and community engagement.
HII celebrated the one-year anniversary of Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations in Goose Creek, South Carolina, with a town hall event for employees and community leaders. NNS President Kari Wilkinson praised the team's contributions to U.S. Navy programs, highlighting the successful ramp-up of production since the facility's acquisition in January 2025. The South Carolina team achieved its first unit delivery within 40 days and exceeded production goals for 2025, which is part of HII's strategy to increase shipbuilding capacity. Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker emphasized the importance of distributed shipbuilding in meeting national defense needs and noted the advantageous location of the Charleston facility within a growing maritime ecosystem. HII is actively partnering with various shipyards and international manufacturers to further expand its capabilities.
HII marked one year of operations at Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston in Goose Creek, South Carolina.
Community and Navy leaders, along with shipbuilders from NNS Charleston Operations, attended the anniversary event.
The facility delivered its first unit within 40 days and exceeded its production targets for 2025.
HII is focusing on distributed shipbuilding, leveraging partnerships with 23 shipyards and fabricators across the country.
NNS Charleston supports HII's mission to enhance shipbuilding throughput and meet increased demand for naval vessels.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$HII insiders have traded $HII stock on the open market 8 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 1 have been purchases and 7 have been sales.
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GOOSE CREEK, S.C., Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) today marked one year of Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations in Goose Creek. The company hosted community and Navy leaders at the facility and a town hall event for all NNS Charleston Operations shipbuilders.
“Today, we celebrate our teammates here in South Carolina for the incredible difference you are making and will continue to make,” NNS President Kari Wilkinson said. “Whether you work in South Carolina or Virginia, we are one team on an important mission with the power to change the course of history — one component, one unit, one module, one boat or one ship at a time.”
Since the asset acquisition closing in January 2025 , NNS has continued to ramp up production at this important facility in support of its U.S. Navy programs. The South Carolina team was able to deliver its first unit within the first 40 days as NNS Charleston Operations, and has exceeded production targets for 2025.
Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-marks-one-year-of-newport-news-shipbuilding-charleston-operations/ .
“You are crucial as we continue to ramp up submarine and carrier shipbuilding,” Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker, program executive officer, attack submarines, told shipbuilders at the town hall. “Part of increasing shipbuilding is what we call distributed shipbuilding or outsourcing, (which means) leveraging the people here and those around the country to be able to increase our capacity to build the submarines and aircraft carriers and ships that our nation needs. I can’t thank you enough for what you do day in and day out.”
NNS Charleston Operations is located on 45 acres along the Cooper River with more than 480,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space. It is strategically located within South Carolina’s rapidly growing maritime ecosystem, having both barge and rail access, capacity to expand, and growing access to the highly skilled maritime trades workforce.
The work underway in South Carolina is part of HII’s distributed shipbuilding initiative to increase shipbuilding throughput and meet the increased demand for ships. In addition to NNS Charleston Operations, HII is partnering with 23 shipyards and fabricators beyond the company’s traditional labor market. HII also forged partnerships with international manufacturers to explore meaningful ways to expand capacity, including evaluation of adding an additional shipyard in the U.S.
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 140-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
Contact:
Todd Corillo Todd.T.Corillo@hii-co.com (757) 688-3220
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d7b1d82-7887-4766-9b84-1b7dc3396046