Maison Law represents the victims of accidents and trauma that occur at California college fraternities such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 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. Contact us to set up a free, confidential case review.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Injury at a Fraternity House?
If your injury is serious or you are left with trauma from something that happens at a frat or sorority house, you should speak to a lawyer about your case. When medical bills and other damages will be expensive, legal representatives for fraternities work even harder to try to get you to accept far less than is fair for what you’ve been through.
A skilled California Fraternity Accident Attorney is an important shield against this kind of treatment, especially after victims have already been put through so much. A Maison Law attorney fully investigates each case and makes sure a fraternity can’t cover up what happened or get away with trying to blame the victim. Our lawyers demand the most in benefits possible for victims and family members so they can heal and rebuild their lives.
Hazards at California Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapters
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) footprint is present at colleges and universities across California. The social organization has chapters at San Diego State University and Sacramento State. Members and pledges invest time at Greek houses to form life-long friendships and connections.
Yet, some of the potentially dangerous behaviors associated with rituals and traditions of frat life still arise at times. Victims can be hurt and permanently scarred when careless and criminal acts are allowed to occur.
Over the past two decades, Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been linked to numerous tragic cases of drinking, drug use, and hazing deaths. Chapters have been suspended and shut down due to these incidents. That includes the indefinite suspension of the chapter at UC Irvine after a 2019 alcohol-poisoning death at an off-campus party. The LA Times reports that 5 members of the fraternity were charged in connection with the heartbreaking incident.
Hazing and drinking risks aren’t the only dangers that arise in Greek Life. These are a few of the other types of cases we can help victims and families seek justice and compensation for:
- Hazing injuries
- Alcohol poisoning
- Other underage drinking hazards
- Sexual assault and rape
- Emotional trauma involving humiliation and embarrassment
- Physical assault
- Fall hazards in poorly maintained houses and on grounds, including falls from windows and roofs
- Injuries suffered during sporting events and unsafe Greek games
- Bonfire dangers
- Discriminatory behavior
- Negligent security that leads to criminal acts
- Gross Negligence
- Wrongful Death
Who Is Responsible for Harm Caused at California Fraternities?
Fraternities owe their members, pledges, and visitors, a legal “duty of care” just like any business or organization. In fact, some Greek organizations are run by large corporations. Some have national headquarters that oversee hundreds of chapters from a central location.
They must protect their members and visitors from the dangers that arise around these social organizations and from the harm members can cause to each other. When the leaders and corporate operators of fraternities, and student leaders, fail in their duty, they must accept liability.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon has its national headquarters on the campus of Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois. The organization and the Supreme Council run the endeavors of dozens of chapters across the U.S. They are also responsible for those who get hurt at Sigma Alpha Epsilon houses and events in California. Sigma Alpha Epsilon has liability insurance to provide for victims.
And it’s not just a fraternal organization that could be found liable after an accident or a criminal act. These are a few of the potentially liable parties when someone gets hurt at a Greek House.
- Fraternity or Sorority
- Alumni chapter or alumni corporation
- Private College
- The State of California in the case of an accident associated with a public university campus
These and other entities can all be the target of a lawsuit if you or a family member are injured physically or emotionally while on a fraternity’s property. In some cases, victims may need to file claims with several different at-fault parties. This gives victims and their families a better opportunity to secure money to pay for all recovery costs and emotional damages.
It’s best to trust a skilled California personal injury lawyer who can determine every party that should be involved in providing support to you. Your lawyer would then negotiate with each liability insurance provider for these organizations to secure the most in compensation through a settlement. If a fraternity or sorority was unwilling to accept complete responsibility for an injury, your lawyer would be ready to file a lawsuit and take the organization to court.
Will I Have to Wait On a Criminal Trial to File an Injury Claim Against a Fraternity?
No. Victims will be filing a civil claim after an incident results in an injury or death. Any criminal charges filed over what happened would be settled separately. Victims and their families can file a civil lawsuit whenever they are ready.
Victims and their families file personal injury claims seeking money for help in recovery. These can be filed at any time, even if a criminal trial hasn’t started yet.
The outcome of a criminal trial doesn’t affect your civil claim. A fraternity may have to pay out damages in a settlement even if found not guilty by a judge in a criminal trial. Your lawyer would seek a fair settlement for you and your family, but also be ready to seek justice in a civil trial if necessary.
Compensation Available for College Fraternity Victims?
Your lawyer will demand full compensation for every hardship you and your family have endured since a damaging incident on SAE 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. Support for the shame and humiliation a victim may feel due to the actions of a fraternity.
- Potential future income loss if permanently disabled and unable to work.
- Support to cover the 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 Fraternity Accident 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 Sigma Alpha Epsilon 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.
