Man Dies After Too Many Shots

May 13, 2015

1. Home
2. Our Blogs
3. News
4. Man Dies After Too Many Shots

Unfortunately this story is not new…

But it is deadly.

And the consequences for bar owners or establishments serving up the seemingly bottomless alcohol can be just as bad…

This week, the bar owner of Le Starter, in Clermont-Ferrand in central France is on trial for manslaughter after a 57 year old man dropped dead of a heart attack.

The man, now dead, consumed exactly 56 shots of (an unknown) liquor.

The pub dons a “Leader Board” sign above the bar indicating the most number of shots taken by a patron: 55.

After he finished his 44th shot, the bar owner began encouraging the man to beat the record: “just 12 more to go!” he said.

The man powered through, completing the 56 shot challenge and was carried home by his daughter and friends.

He died of a heart attack the next day.

Antoine Portal, the lawyer of the deceased man’s daughter said before the trial,

“It is not known whether he would still be alive if he had not drunk the last 12 shots. But it was a case of inciting someone to consume.”

Renaud Portejoie, the bar owner’s lawyer conceded that the bars drink ‘Leader Board’ was a “mistake” but added,

“No one forced him to take on the challenge. Customers are responsible for themselves.”

According to Express UK, France is undergoing a severe spike in binge drinking and health officials claim that young people are following British culture where overconsumption of alcohol is a growing issue.

Although this complicated issue is rising in the international realm, in the United States there have been numerous cases holding bar owners responsible for the deaths of bystanders due to the over serving of alcohol by bar patrons.

Arguments against bar owners highlight the responsibility of the facility to cut off patrons when “they’ve had enough.”

Click here for more information about bar liability.