overserved

Overserved is a term used to describe a person who has been served too much alcohol, typically in a licensed establishment such as a bar or restaurant. This can lead to intoxication, impaired judgment, and an increased risk of accidents or altercations. The concept of being overserved is often a point of contention in legal cases involving alcohol-related incidents, particularly those involving drunk driving or assaults.

Many jurisdictions have dram shop laws or responsible vendor laws that hold establishments liable if they overserve a patron who subsequently causes harm. These laws are intended to encourage servers to monitor patron consumption and refuse service when it is apparent that a person is already intoxicated. Factors that may indicate a person is overserved include slurred speech, unsteady gait, belligerent behavior, or a strong smell of alcohol. Server training programs often cover how to identify and manage situations where a patron may be nearing or have exceeded their alcohol tolerance. The responsibility for determining when a person is overserved lies with the server or bartender, who must exercise judgment based on the individual's behavior and appearance.