Kansas Fraternity Sued in Missouri by Pledge Injured at Frat Party
A freshman from Kansas University has sued a fraternity because of serious injuries he received while at a frat party, according to LJWorld.com.
The freshman was injured in September 2010 after he was allegedly ordered to dive into a homemade pool at a party hosted by the fraternity. The pool was made of sandbags and a tarp. As a result of the stunt, the student suffered serious spinal cord injuries, including permanent spine damage and paralysis.
The man’s lawsuit was filed in Missouri because that is where the fraternity conducts its business, and the member of the chapter house association who specialized in pledge treatment and education is also based there. In the lawsuit, he claims that officials at the fraternity knew there had been problems in the past with that particular party, and that national fraternity officials warned the chapters not to build any pools or ponds. The suit also claims that minors were allowed to drink at the party.
After the accident, the college placed the fraternity on probation, finding that it violated the rules against hazing. All members were required to complete community service. However, the college was not able to prove that fraternity members ordered the man to jump in the pool, but they were able to find three other forms of hazing had taken place.
This fraternity could be held liable for the student’s injuries under a theory of premises liability. A property owner or occupier can be held liable for any injuries that come from a dangerous condition on their property. They have a duty to protect people lawfully on their property from injuries that could result from hazardous conditions, such as this homemade swimming pool.
Have you been injured on someone else’s property by a hazard that existed on the land? If so, call the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law, LLC at 314-322-8515 to talk with an attorney about your injuries. We will strive to get you the compensation you deserve.
