Maison Law represents the victims of accidents and trauma that occur at California college fraternities such as Phi Delta Theta. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for injured students when Greek organizations are negligent in their duty to keep guests, pledges, and members safe from harm. That can include the dangerous act of hazing that puts students at risk. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all victims and their families. Contact us to set up a confidential case review.
Potential Risks at Phi Delta Theta Greek Houses
Phi Delta Theta has at least 15 chapters in California with Fraternity Houses around campuses like USC, Fresno State, Santa Clara State, and San Diego State University.
Students take advantage of Greek Life to build lifelong memories and connections. However, some Greek functions can put students in danger of personal injury accidents and criminal attacks. Parties can expose victims to personal injury accident risks and criminal assault.
Just like any business or organization, fraternities and sororities owe their visitors, pledges, and members a “duty of care” under California’s premises liability laws. The local chapter’s executive board and leaders at Phi Delta Theta’s national headquarters must make decisions that protect anyone who might be entering the fraternity house or attending a Greek event.
Leaders must also make sure visitors and members aren’t put at risk of criminal assault and dangerous hazing rituals. They must keep students from engaging in underage drinking and drinking too much. When fraternities are negligent in their duties, and people get hurt, victims and their families can seek justice and help through a physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
These are just a few of the hazards that a fraternity like Phi Delta Theta can be held responsible for:
- Hazing injuries
- Alcohol poisoning
- Other underage drinking hazards
- Physical assault
- Slip-and-fall hazards in poorly maintained houses, cluttered houses, and on grounds, including falls from windows and roofs
- Shock hazards from exposed wiring in rooms
- Injuries suffered during sporting events and unsafe Greek games
- Bonfire dangers
- Discriminatory behavior
- Sexual assault and rape
- Emotional trauma involving humiliation and embarrassment
- Negligent security that leads to criminal acts
- Gross Negligence
- Wrongful Death
Phi Delta Theta Hazing Injury Lawsuits
Hazing injuries remain a top concern in the Greek community. These rituals meant to induct new members into a fraternity can expose pledges to alcohol poisoning and physical harm. Hazing can leave fraternities wide open for litigation when they don’t ensure the safety of participants. Hazing is also illegal in California.
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.
Despite the legislation, it’s an ongoing issue for all fraternities and for Phi Delta Theta. ABC30-TV confirmed in 2023 that Chico State’s Phi Delta Theta chapter was under investigation on hazing allegations. The fraternity has also been involved in hazing incidents involving death and injury in Louisiana and Washington State in recent years.
The consequences of acts of hazing should never fall to the victim and the victim’s family to face alone. A California hazing accident lawyer protects families when fraternities and their lawyers attempt to blame victims for these types of tragic accidents.
How Can a Lawyer Help After an Accident on Phi Delta Theta Property?
If your injuries are very minor after an incident, you may not need the help of a lawyer. But if you are seriously hurt, you experience trauma, or your child has been tragically killed in an accident at a Greek house or event, it’s important to speak to a skilled California Fraternity Accident Lawyer.
When forced to hold a Greek organization accountable for its negligence, you may have to face teams of lawyers all working to get Phi Delta Theta off the hook for what happened. You’ll want strong legal representation of your own to make sure you and your family receive justice and secure support to last through recovery. Your lawyer fully investigates your case and the fraternity’s role in what happened. Your lawyer collects all evidence available, including witness testimony.
Then your lawyer files an injury claim and seeks the most compensation possible for your injury. If the fraternity and its insurers are unwilling to accept blame or unwilling to provide enough in support to cover your recovery, your Maison Law attorney will be ready to file a lawsuit and take the fraternity to court.
Will I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident at a Greek House?
Your Maison Law Phi Delta Theta Accident Attorney will file a strong injury claim backed with evidence on your behalf. In many cases, a fraternal organization and its liability insurance providers offer fair settlements to victims. They usually want to avoid the cost of appearing before a judge and the negative publicity a public trial will bring.
Your lawyer represents the threat of a lawsuit, a fact that sometimes encourages fraternities to give up their attempts to shift blame. However, suppose an insurance company refuses to provide you or your child with what’s needed to recover and rebuild your life. In that case, your lawyer is ready to file a civil lawsuit and take them before a judge and jury.
Some scary incidents that occur in Greek houses are criminal acts. Suspects may face criminal charges and a criminal trial. However, a civil claim is settled separately for victims. Victims can file their claims at any time and seek compensation. Victims should also know that they don’t need to wait for the conclusion of a criminal trial or even for the criminal trial to begin to file a civil claim.
What Types of Things Contribute to a Fraternity Accident Settlement Check?
Your lawyer will demand full compensation for every hardship you and your family have endured since a damaging incident on Phi Delta Theta’s property. 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 fraternity 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.
- Wrongful death benefits. Families may file wrongful death claims against fraternities and sororities. These claims would seek assistance with funeral costs and leftover medical expenses. A California Wrongful Death Attorney would also demand support for the future relationship loved ones have lost with a child and for the income and guidance the deceased can no longer support the family with.
Contact a Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Personal Injury Lawyer
Maison Law aggressively protects victims and loved ones after an accident or attack at a Greek house. We want to handle the frustrating negotiations with lawyers for reckless fraternal organizations and universities. Our California Fraternity 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.
You also don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for a lawyer’s help. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for your family. Then our fee comes out of the money a fraternity must pay you.
