Damages and Time Limits in South Carolina Alcohol-Related Accident Lawsuits
Dram shop and social host liability cases are civil claims, which means that the liability of the defendant -- that's the business or individual who provided alcohol to the person who caused the accident -- is expressed solely in terms of money damages, which is money paid to compensate the injured person for losses like hospital and medical bills, lost wages and benefits, property damage, and pain and suffering. (Learn more: Damages in a Personal Injury Case.)
Like other injury claims, an alcohol-related accident claim must be filed in court before the deadline set by the state's statute of limitations. In South Carolina, this means that a dram shop or social host liability claim must be filed withinthree years of the date of the injury, in most situations. If you don't get your case filed before the deadline, the court is almost sure to dismiss it once you do try to file it, so it's crucial to understand and comply with the statute of limitations as it applies to your potential case.
