Maison Law represents the victims of accidents and trauma that occur at California college fraternities such as Zeta Beta Tau. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation 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.
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 place the blame on the victim or 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. 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 Are Found at California Zeta Beta Tau Chapters?
According to Zeta Beta Tau’s website, it’s the world’s first and largest Jewish fraternity. The social organization has at least nine chapters, prospective chapters, and alumni organizations around California campuses. They’ve got houses at USC and UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara University.
Students join Zeta Beta Tau to establish lifelong friendships and to learn lessons in leadership and giving back to the community. Greek Life also involves living off campus, socializing, and parties. Sometimes alcohol, drugs, and reckless behavior can lead to unfortunate accidents and leave members and visitors vulnerable to criminal acts.
Just like any business or organization, Zeta Beta Tau is responsible for keeping members, pledges, and visitors safe at their events and on their property. When they fail in this duty, the fraternity can be held liable for any harm that comes to victims.
These are just a few of the hazards that a fraternity like Zeta Beta Tau 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
- Injuries that occur due to a lack of maintenance and upkeep at frat houses
- 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
Is Hazing Legal in California?
No. Hazing is illegal in California. Under CA Penal Code Section 245.6, also known as Matt’s Law, anyone caught hazing 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 were to be seriously hurt or killed during the hazing, guilty parties would face felony charges and much more serious punishments.
Hazing risks remain a huge concern in the Greek community. These rituals meant to induct new members into a fraternity can expose pledges to physical assault, mental trauma, alcohol poisoning, and other harm. Hazing can leave fraternities wide open for litigation.
Despite the legislation, it’s an ongoing issue for all fraternities and for Zeta Beta Tau. ABC13-TV confirmed that in 2018 The University of Michigan’s Zeta Beta Tau chapter had its charter revoked for engaging in hazing. NBC News also reported that in 2014, the chapter at Columbia University lost its house over hazing incidents.
The consequences 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.
Do I Have to Wait on a Criminal Trial to File a Fraternity Accident Claim?
Those who engage in 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 the fraternity’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 decided in a civil 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.
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 Zeta Beta Tau’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.
Can My Family Seek Support After a Tragic Death at a Fraternity?
California empowers families to file wrongful death claims against fraternities and sororities after a tragedy. As long as a fraternity’s actions or non-actions contributed to an injury or death, the organization could be held financially liable or partially liable.
A wrongful death claim seeks 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. The income and guidance the deceased can no longer support the family with must also factor into any settlement or judgment awarded in court.
Contact a Zeta Beta Tau 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.
