Maison Law represents the victims of accidents and trauma that occur at California college sororities such as Chi Delta Theta. Our personal injury lawyers demand support for injured students and devastated families when Greek organizations are negligent in their duty to keep people safe. That can include the dangerous act of hazing that puts students at risk. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all victims. Contact us to set up a confidential case review.
Potential Risks For Chi Delta Theta Members and Pledges
According to Chi Delta Theta’s website, the organization is an Asian-American interest sorority that was established on October 13, 1989. The cultural sorority got its start at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
There are now six other chapters in California, including chapters at Cal Poly, Long Beach State, and Loyola Marymount. Members join for a sense of community and siblinghood, to establish lifelong networks, and to meet friends from every walk of life.
But life on any campus and in any sorority can bring with it certain risks. Many of the dangers are created by sorority leaders and national leaders when they don’t adequately protect members, guests, and other visitors from harm. Sororities can also be held responsible for the criminal and careless acts of other members. In the same way, universities and colleges might also be liable for the actions of a sorority on its campus if they allowed reckless behavior on or off campus to continue.
These entities can be held liable when Chi Delta Theta sisters are hurt or lost in deadly accidents. These are just a few of the preventable dangers a sorority may be held financially liable for:
- Sexual assault and rape
- Physical assault
- Emotional trauma involving humiliation and embarrassment
- Hazing injuries
- Alcohol poisoning
- Other underage drinking hazards
- Fall hazards at events
- Injuries suffered at unsafe Greek games
- Bonfire and beach day dangers
- Discriminatory behavior
- Negligent security that leads to criminal acts
- Gross Negligence
- Wrongful Death
If you or your child suffer a serious injury at a Chi Delta Theta event, it’s a good idea to talk over your case with a skilled California Sorority Accident Lawyer. Sororities are large organizations, and in some cases, run by large corporations. They’ll have the funds to hire teams of lawyers all trying to get a sorority off the hook for an accident or a criminal attack. These lawyers will try to blame the victim and cast doubt on the seriousness of injuries if you don’t have a skilled lawyer handling your case.
Families who lose children to sorority accidents caused by negligence should also speak with a California attorney. Sororities will do everything possible to avoid taking the blame for a tragic death. Your lawyer fully investigates your case and uses the evidence to hold sororities and in some cases, universities fully responsible.
Sorority Hazing Injury Dangers
Hazing injuries are incidents that commonly make headlines in California and across the nation. Hazing is usually associated with induction-related events for pledges trying to gain membership.
The rituals are billed as tradition and rites of passage, but people are injured and even killed in these sometimes reckless activities. It’s been a problem for Chi Delta Theta chapters in the past. News Channel 12 in Santa Barbara reported on a hazing investigation that left the sorority’s Cal Poly chapter suspended in 2013.
Hazing is actually illegal under CA Penal Code Section 245.6 also known as Matt’s Law. Anyone caught hazing someone or planning to haze someone, even with no injury involved can face misdemeanor charges. A fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year in jail is possible. If someone is seriously hurt or killed during the hazing, guilty parties will face felony charges and much more serious punishments.
Reach out to a California hazing injury lawyer to go over your options for seeking justice.
Do I Have to Wait on a Criminal Trial to File a Sorority Accident Claim?
Guilty parties may face criminal charges and a criminal trial over an accident involving Greek Life activities. But victims and their families will file civil claims to decide who is financially responsible for what happened. The civil case and the criminal case will be decided separately.
The criminal trial for an individual or the Greek organization wouldn’t affect the victim’s right to seek support. Victims don’t need to wait for a criminal trial to start or to resolve before filing a claim and seeking support. They can file as soon as they are ready to attempt to secure support for recovery or expenses brought on by the death of a victim.
Your Maison Law personal injury attorney would be seeking the most possible for you and your family in an accident settlement check from the sorority’s liability insurance provider. However, if insurance adjusters refused to accept responsibility for what happened, your attorney would have evidence ready to file a lawsuit and take the sorority before a judge and jury.
What Types of Things Contribute to a Sorority Accident Settlement Check?
Your lawyer will demand full compensation for every hardship you and your family have endured since a damaging incident on Chi Delta Theta property or at an event. In some cases, the university itself could also be liable for allowing a negligent Greek organization to continue.
Your lawyer determines every party involved and then files as many lawsuits as necessary.
Your lawyer would total your current medical bills and other needs and estimate the cost of care you’ll need in the coming years. That could mean support for a lifetime. The emotional trauma you endure must also factor into the sorority personal injury settlement check you receive.
Your lawyer will be demanding compensation for these and other factors:
- The costs of current medical treatment and any care expected to be necessary in the future.
- Costs relating to the pain experienced as a consequence of the accident.
- Support for emotional distress a frightening accident or attack causes.
- Potential future income loss if permanently disabled and unable to work.
- Setbacks to the educational progress of a student. Perhaps money for a victimized student to enroll at another college.
- Income lost from a college job.
- Reimbursement for personal property damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family receive support if a loved one is killed in a sorority accident?
Yes. Families may file wrongful death claims against sororities. These claims would seek assistance with funeral costs and leftover medical expenses. A Sorority Wrongful Death Attorney would also demand support for the future relationship loved ones have lost with a child or spouse and for the income and guidance the deceased can no longer support the family with.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit against a sorority or university?
You are given two years from the date of your accident to file against a sorority or a private college. But be warned, suing a state university can mean you face a much shorter statute of limitations for your claim.
What if I Can’t Afford to Pay a Sorority Accident Lawyer?
You won’t need any upfront money to hire Maison Law. Our lawyers don’t get paid unless they win your case for you and your family. Then our fee comes out of the settlement or judgment your family is awarded.
Contact a Chi Delta Theta Personal Injury Lawyer
Maison Law aggressively protects victims and loved ones after an accident or attack at a Greek house or a Greek-sponsored event. We want to handle the frustrating negotiations with lawyers for reckless social organizations and universities. Our California Sorority Accident Lawyers will be fighting for justice while victims are allowed to focus on healing and families are permitted to grieve a loss.
Maison Law offers a free and confidential case consultation to all victims who suffer harm on campus or at a Greek house. Contact us today and let us answer your questions and go over the best options for holding a fraternity or sorority responsible for their negligence.
