The Massachusetts House, sitting in Boston, overwhelmingly approved a bill that would require Massachusetts and Boston area restaurants and bars to purchase a liquor legal liability insurance policy to cover bodily injury or death. “While we don’t usually comment on House bills, we wanted to bring this Bill to people’s attention,” said Boston personal injury lawyer, Neil Burns. “We represent clients injured in Boston area bars and restaurants and this Bill will aid with collectability.”
By a margin of 145-4, the House approved the Bill and sent the Bill onto the Senate. As House Bill 275, it would require restaurants and bars to purchase a liquor legal liability insurance policy to cover bodily injury or death. The policy would be required to contain minimum coverage of $250,000 for injury to or death of one person, and $500,000 for more than one person.
Supporters of the Bill noted that this would ensure that Boston area establishments throughout Massachusetts are financially responsible if someone is killed or injured as a result of a customer being served liquor and becoming intoxicated. They noted that drunken customers cause many assaults, injuries and deaths. Some noted that without this coverage, the bartenders and wait staff could be held personally responsible and easily sued. Requiring individuals or establishments to carry minimum insurance is not new. Massachusetts car insurance policies, for example, require car owners to carry minimum bodily insurance of $20,000 per person and $40,000.00 per accident, as well other minimum requirements.