Maison Law represents the victims of accidents and trauma that occur at California college fraternities such as Theta Xi fraternity. 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.
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 and insurance adjusters 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 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.
What Type of Hazards Can Be Found at Theta Xi Houses?
The Theta Xi letters can be seen around several campuses in California. The fraternity has members at UC campuses including Berkley, Davis, and Los Angeles. The Theta Xi chapter at USC is currently dormant.
Greek life can be a defining experience for college students. It’s a place to build friendships and networks that last far beyond graduation day. However, events at fraternity houses might also lead to activities that are physically and emotionally destructive.
These are just a few of the types of fraternity injury cases we help our clients win:
- Sexual assault and rape
- Emotional trauma involving humiliation and embarrassment
- Hazing injuries
- Alcohol poisoning
- Other underage drinking hazards
- 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
If these or any other accidents and criminal acts happen to you or a loved one, be sure to contact a skilled lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear and witnesses can be hard to locate after weeks or months go by. Allow Maison Law to investigate your case and collect all evidence available to make sure justice is served and you receive the support you need to rebuild your life.
Theta Xi Hazing Injuries
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. The former Theta XI chapter at UC Santa Cruz was the site of a tragedy in 2019. USA Today reported that a 20-year-old student was allegedly forced to drink alcohol and then fell out of a window to his death. Other chapters in Pennsylvania and Louisiana have faced suspensions over hazing in recent years.
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.
Do I Have to Wait on a Criminal Trial to File a Fraternity Accident Claim?
Those who perpetrate hazing or other reckless acts associated with Greek Life may face criminal charges and a criminal trial. However, victims and their families can also file civil lawsuits and seek compensation for accidents and trauma made possible by Theta Xi’s negligence.
The criminal trial for an individual or the Greek organization would proceed separately. The victim’s civil matter could be settled separately or in a separate trial. 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.
A Maison Law attorney would first seek to secure a fair settlement with the liability insurance company representing the fraternity. If the insurance company rejected the claim or refused to provide enough in support, our lawyers would have evidence ready to file a lawsuit and take the fraternity to court to seek justice.
Many lawsuits don’t make it to court because defendants often would rather settle outside of court to avoid the costs of a trial and additional negative publicity.
It’s important to note that fraternities like Theta Zi are run by large national organizations. This network of Greek houses can afford teams of lawyers. Victims must have strong legal representation of their own to balance the scales.
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 at Theta Xi’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 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 Theta Xi 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.
