New Laws on Fraternities May Make It Easier for Families to Seek Justice

TEXAS. New state laws are changing the ways that government and law enforcement will be handling hazing on college campuses. According to the New York Times, a state law in Louisiana, for example, would make it a felony charge for anyone found guilty of being involved in a hazing that resulted in death or injury. Pennsylvania is also planning to pass a similar law that would make hazing deaths felony crimes. Other states have also been considering putting similar laws in place.

Hazing is defined as any action designed to cause embarrassment, harassment, or is designed to make fun of the hazing victim. Hazing can sometimes result in physical or psychological harm. Hurting someone should be a crime. But long traditions on campus have sometimes resulted in situations where colleges and fraternities looked the other way.

By making these crimes felonies, families have the force of law enforcement on their side when it comes to investigating their children’s campus injuries and deaths due to hazing. Furthermore, if a person is found guilty of hazing in criminal court, families may also have the right to pursue those individuals in civil court as well. Hazing injuries can result in hospitalization and life-altering injuries that can impact a person physically, emotionally, and financially.

According to the Times, once every year, since 1961, there has been at least one hazing death on college campuses. College administrators are looking at ways to better track injuries and instances where hazing has been reported.

Many critics of colleges claim that alcohol should be banned from fraternities altogether. According to the New York Times, when alcohol is removed from fraternities, not only do hazing injuries decrease, but cases of sexual assault can also be reduced. Banning alcohol on fraternities can also prevent cases where students suffer alcohol poisoning or overdoses. Studies have found that 86% of men living on college campuses binge drink, some to the point of unconsciousness. This kind of drinking can cause brain damage, increase a person’s risk for injuries, not to mention the risk of drinking and driving.

College fraternities have also come under fire for looking the other way on deadly hazing rituals. Families may have the right to sue either the fraternities or the college campuses when their loved ones are hurt during these rituals. College campuses know that hazing is deadly. They know it happens. Unfortunately, many campuses do nothing until someone dies or gets seriously hurt.

What can you do if your loved one was hurt in a hazing incident? Report the incident to the school and to police. If your loved one was seriously hurt, consider reaching out to the Cooper Law Firm, personal injury lawyers in Texas. Colleges are big businesses, these days. They have a responsibility to keep students on campus safe. If you or a loved one has been hurt, visit our firm at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/ to learn more. We are here to help.

 

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