Dramshop cases refer to a specific area of civil law that holds establishments, such as bars or restaurants, liable for injuries or damages caused by individuals who were served alcohol at their premises. The term "dramshop" originates from an old English unit of measure for alcohol, called a dram. Dramshop laws vary by jurisdiction, but they generally impose liability on alcohol-serving establishments under certain circumstances. In a dramshop case, a person who has suffered harm or loss seeks compensation from the establishment that provided alcohol to the individual who caused the injury or damage. The injured party (plaintiff) typically claims that the establishment should be held responsible because they continued to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or to an individual who was already known to be intoxicated, thus contributing to the occurrence of the harmful incident. To establish liability in a dramshop case, the plaintiff generally needs to demonstrate the following elements, which can vary depending on the jurisdiction: 1. The establishment provided alcohol to the person who caused the harm. 2. The person who caused the harm was visibly intoxicated or already known to be intoxicated at the time of being served. 3. The intoxication of the person served was a proximate cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff. If these elements are proven, the establishment may be held liable for damages, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses suffered by the plaintiff because of the incident.