Liquor liability insurance premiums have surged across several states, especially in South Carolina, forcing many bars to close. Dr. Robert Hartwig, professor at the University of South Carolina refers to the state as “the liquor liability crisis center of America”, referencing business closures and dwindling liquor liability insurance markets. Of those insurers left, many have drastically increased premiums due to dram shop laws and joint liability rules enabling large verdicts against establishments, even when their fault is limited. Recent legislative reforms in South Carolina aim to reduce liability and insurance requirements but are criticized as insufficient. Dr Hartwig states it is unlikely that South Carolina and other states will make changes significant enough to solve this issue. To read more about this issue, click here.