Tomball, Texas Judge Awards $6,504,500 in Dram Shop Wrongful Death
A man was struck and killed by a car while walking on the road at night. The owner of a nearby bar was sued for allegedly serving the man alcohol when he was visibly intoxicated. The lawsuit claimed this contributed to the man's death. The court found the bar owner liable and awarded damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Wrongful Death Injuries
Wrongful death claims arise when a car accident fatality is caused by another party's negligence. These cases compensate surviving family members for their losses and the decedent's pain and suffering.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $6,504,500
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Wrongful Death
- Accident Type
- Pedestrian
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Death
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $6,504,500 is near the median of $6,500,000 for wrongful death cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $800,000 to $15,000,000, based on 34 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In March 2011, a 23-year-old man was struck and killed by a car after leaving a bar in Tomball, Texas. The incident occurred as the man was walking in a westbound lane of FM 2920. He was declared dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma, and the driver of the vehicle fled.
The decedent’s father, individually and on behalf of the estate, filed a lawsuit against the bar owner, alleging negligent service of alcohol and dram shop violations. The plaintiff contended that the bar’s employees served the decedent alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated. This intoxication, the plaintiff argued, was the proximate cause of his inability to avoid the collision. Evidence presented included witness accounts suggesting the decedent had been drinking for approximately 6.5 hours before leaving the establishment, and police investigators determined his blood alcohol content was .23 at the time of death. The plaintiff also asserted that the bar did not require its employees to attend state alcohol service training programs, and no servers on duty during the decedent's visit had completed such training. An initial third party, named as the driver of the vehicle, was later dismissed from the case.
The trial, originally scheduled for June 2014, was postponed when the defendants filed for bankruptcy on the morning it was set to begin. Following a two-hour trial, the judge found the defendants liable for the decedent's death and awarded the plaintiff $6,504,500 in damages, including compensation for pre-death pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and past and future emotional distress and loss of companionship. The defendants were uninsured.
Understanding This Case
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2015, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome aligns very well with similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
Want to know what your case might be worth?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped in traffic on a highway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a bus. The driver claimed the collision caused permanent injuries, forcing them to change to a less physically demanding job. The bus company denied negligence. The jury found the bus company at fault.
One driver was stopped at an intersection preparing to turn left when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver claimed neck injuries. The other driver's insurer offered its policy limit. The injured driver sued their own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, alleging the other driver was negligent. The defense questioned the extent of injuries and suggested they were pre-existing.
One driver was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed serious injuries to their neck and back, including paralysis in one arm, requiring surgery. The other driver argued that a third vehicle caused the accident or that the injured driver's own actions contributed. The jury found the second driver fully at fault.
One driver was traveling on a freeway when their car was struck from behind by a box truck. The driver who was hit claimed injuries to their back and neck. The responding officer believed the truck driver failed to control speed, but also faulted the other driver for an unsafe lane change. The truck driver claimed the other driver suddenly moved into their path. The jury found both drivers equally liable for the accident.
One driver was stopped behind another vehicle when her car was hit from behind by a trailing car. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back, head, and neck, including herniated discs and nerve impingement. The defense conceded liability, and the trial focused on damages. The injured driver testified that she still experiences back pain and has difficulty lifting children, impacting her ability to work as a nanny.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.