Smith v. Shagnasty's Inc.

STREIT, Justice.

An unidentified drunk woman in a bar whacked another patron about the face with a beer bottle. The injured patron sued the bar under Iowa’s dramshop statute. The district court threw out her lawsuit because on the facts presented a jury could not reasonably conclude the bar sold and served the assailant alcohol and did so when it knew or should have known she was or would become intoxicated. The court of appeals found sufficient evidence of a sale and service, but held the evidence of the bar’s knowledge insufficient and affirmed. Because we think the plaintiff has generated a…