Hall Management Group Speaks at Summit on Tort Reform

A Tort Reform Summit was held at Burr Forman Law Firm in Columbia on June 15. At the summit, individuals from a variety of backgrounds discussed tort reform legislation, the state of the insurance industry and judicial hellholes, liability insurance providers, and dram shop liability legislation.

Tommy Hall, owner of Hall Management Group and chair of the Lowcountry Hospitality Association, spoke on dram shop liability legislation during the summit on behalf of the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. Currently, South Carolina does not have a “Dram Shop Act,” although it is illegal to “knowingly” serve alcohol to any person who is intoxicated or underage.

Dram shop insurance, more commonly known as liquor liability insurance, provides coverage for businesses that sell, distribute, manufacture and/or supply alcholic beverages.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey introduced the Tortfeasers Act (S. 145) to amend sections 15-38-15, 15-38-40(B) and 15-38-50 of the 1976 Code to include persons or entities for the allocation of fault and to make conforming changes. The bill is currently sitting in Senate Judiciary until the second part of the legislative session reconvenes in January 2022.