When our loved ones venture off for the excitement of their “college experience,” we all have a mix of pride and trepidation for their new adventure. Rarely however does that trepidation address the possibility that our loved one might be injured or killed owing to a college fraternity hazing tradition gone wrong. That is where our team of hazing abuse lawyers can come to your aid.
A series of deadly incidents in recent years has drawn much attention to the trend of over-the-top hazing incidents, which has transformed the legal aspects of how we deal with them as a society.
Following the 2017 hazing death of Penn State student Timothy Piazza, a New Jersey native, the Garden State enacted recent legislation, known as the “Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law,” which classifies hazing practices as a felony with a seven-year prison term if convicted. Pennsylvania quickly followed suit and enacted anti-hazing laws the following year that allow for the confiscation of fraternity houses following severe hazing instances.
Both states joined the roster of tough anti-hazing states that have become the new norm in the nation. Anti-hazing advocates note that this is a sign that hazing will no longer be treated with a symbolic smack on the wrist, or worse, a blind eye and a smirk.
Perhaps more disturbing, college fraternities are no longer the sole users of hazing rituals — the practice has filtered down into the high school ranks as well. Indeed, sometimes indistinguishable from bullying, younger academic victims are also being victimized by hazing practices that are being put forth as “time-honored” rites of passage for young people.
Having strict legislation makes it easier for family and loved ones to receive just compensation following any tragedy, and having a hazing injury lawyer by your side is invaluable to help walk you through the process.
Why Choose Wapner Newman Law Firm for Your Fraternity Hazing Lawyer Needs
Choosing a Philadelphia hazing lawyer is an important step in beginning the process of gaining justice in the aftermath of a hazing incident that leads to personal injury or death.
Why Contact Our Team of Hazing Abuse Attorneys
At Wapner Newman Law Firm, we have an impressive record of legal successes in obtaining compensation for clients who were injured by other parties, which include a myriad of personal injury and wrongful death judgments and legal settlements on behalf of our clients. Indeed, we are proud to say that we have recovered multi-million-dollar settlements on behalf of our clients.
Our talented team of Philadelphia-based attorneys has vast legal experience in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death claims. There are no upfront legal fees because we work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay us nothing until we win a judgment on your behalf.
We offer free consultations, so you risk nothing as we assess the strength of your claim. During this consultation, you can get to know us better and ask any questions you may have regarding your hazing incident case.
For those wishing to better understand our firm, we invite you to visit our testimonials page to see what past clients have shared about the team of attorneys they worked with here at Wapner Newman Law. Call us at (215) 569-0900 to talk to us today.
How We Can Help You
Philadelphia Hazing Lawyers Who Can Help
If you or a family member are the victim of a fraternity hazing incident, you probably have several questions regarding how to proceed legally in the aftermath of such a tragic event to obtain justice. Understanding who might be liable, and targeting those individuals and institutions for financial recompense, is something we can help you with as part of a fraternity hazing lawsuit. We also seek to alter institutional policies to end such hazing practices in the future.
Understandably, people thrust into a wrongful death or personal injury suit will be confused as to how to proceed. Dealing with the emotional aftermath of such an incident is impossible to overstate. That is why it is important to reach out to an experienced team of fraternity hazing attorneys to fight for your rights. Specifically, in pursuit of justice in your case, we will:
- Seek a fair settlement with individuals, the fraternity, the university, and all of their insurers
- Advise you about resolving your claim in a court of law if a settlement is not offered or the settlement is too low
- Handle each step throughout the entirety of the process while keeping you closely informed on all aspects of your case.
When Fraternity Hazing Lawyers Become Wrongful Death Attorneys
Pressing a fraternity hazing lawsuit into a wrongful death claim is the most tragic conclusion for the families of hazing incident victims. Indeed, when questioned, a seasoned hazing injury lawyer would likely claim that they’ve seen everything in terms of what comprises a hazing incident, but the reality is that the threats continue to evolve as the fraternities look for new ways to induct future members.
When students succumb to the recruitment entreaties of fraternity members who engage in reckless and dangerous hazing rituals (which often- include dangerous levels of binge drinking), it can have catastrophic results.
In general, some of the more common causes of college injuries involve alcohol- or drug-related incidents. Other college occurrences happen when fights break or when an injured or sick fraternity member is not brought to an emergency medical professional immediately.
Indeed, many recent incidents that led to severe injury or death resulted from supposed fraternity “brothers” abandoning their younger charges when their help was most needed. When this happens, loved ones of the deceased might seek out the services of a team of qualified hazing abuse attorneys who may recommend a wrongful death suit.
What Does Pennsylvania Law Say?
Under Pennsylvania law, to win a wrongful death case in the state, your hazing injury lawyer will need to prove that third parties were negligent, at fault, and responsible for the death by illustrating the following:
- The defendant in the suit who caused the injuries was bound by a responsibility to not injure or harm the victim and failed in the responsibility, thus leading to the victim’s death.
- A connection can be found between the third party’s actions, or inactions, that led to the death owing to negligence or intent to harm.
- Surviving family members suffered damages, or financial loss, as a result of that death.
Our team of fraternity hazing lawyers here at Wapner Newman Law are experts in navigating complicated court procedures. Because of this, you and your loved ones can begin the healing process while our legal teams handle all aspects of your legal case.
When you contact our compassionate team of hazing abuse attorneys for a free consultation, we will listen to your story, assess whether you have a case, and then do the following:
- Investigate the details of your case by gathering evidence from videos, first responder reports, medical reports, and witnesses as necessary
- Deal with all the legal procedures and court appearances while making sure that all required paperwork coincides with Pennsylvania deadlines and laws
- Secure the services of experts who will be able to reconstruct how the death happened, discover who was at fault, and determine how their actions resulted in damages that affected your life
- Deal with all communications and negotiations with insurance companies and their army of attorneys committed to denying your claim
- Build a case that will lead to a favorable settlement or bring your case to court to fight for financial justice on your behalf.
Wrongful death claims can take a while, but you will have a team of professional attorneys fighting on your behalf until we successfully gain a judgment on your behalf. To start getting this support right now, call our team at (215) 569-0900.
Frequently Asked Questions Our Team of Philadelphia Hazing Lawyers Answer
Our team of experienced Philadelphia hazing lawyers often answers questions from potential clients regarding their cases. Some of these inquiries include the following.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death case in Philadelphia?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is a mere two years from the time of death. While it may seem like a great deal of time, the reality is that two years will pass quickly so you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
How much money can I get in a Pennsylvania wrongful death suit?
It is impossible to arrive at an average settlement amount because each case is unique. That said, factors that go into the decision of a settlement amount will include the cost of medical bills, funeral costs, loss of the victim’s lifetime income potential, loss of services of the deceased, and loss of companionship or consortium.
What does it cost to hire a Philadelphia fraternity hazing attorney from your firm?
When you hire Philadelphia hazing lawyers from our firm, you do not pay anything upfront because we work on a contingency agreement basis. You pay us a percentage of the settlement or award that we win for you. If we don’t win, you do not owe us any legal fees.
Can I sue if my family member died because of a fraternity hazing incident?
If you are the personal representative of the deceased or an eligible survivor, you can sue if your family member died due to a defective product injury. Eligible survivors who can bring wrongful death lawsuits in Pennsylvania include spouses, domestic partners, and children of decedents. If there are no survivors in these categories, the parents of the deceased can file. Siblings are next in line when there is no surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or parents.
Call a Philadelphia Hazing Lawyer You Can Trust in the Event of a Fraternity Hazing Incident
Hearing that a loved one has been injured or killed because of a university hazing incident will unleash a range of emotions. You may experience extreme anger, devastating sadness, and shock at how such a tragedy can happen in 2023.
As a society, we are reviewing the long history of college fraternity hazing, and we are no longer willing to simply shake our heads as we look away from the trend and not take any action. Using resources such as witness statements and captured video footage of the hazing incidents, we’re working to change the way we think about college hazing tragedies.
You are not alone when you reach out to our team of qualified hazing abuse attorneys who can file a fraternity hazing lawsuit on your behalf should negligence be proven at the heart of the tragedy.
Call us today at (215) 569-0900 to start reclaiming your life by holding those responsible accountable financially.