# method one
$SIG{PIPE} = sub { $SERVER_DISCONNECT = 1; };
#
# when printing to socket, check $SERVER_DISCONNECT
# and handle if ($SERVER_DISCONNECT == 1)

# method two (Posix systems only)
$SIG{PIPE} = 'IGNORE';
use Errno ':POSIX';

# other code here
unless (print SOCKET "$data") {
    if ($! == EPIPE) {
        # pipe error, attempt reconnection to server
    } else {
        # real error
    }
}