Hazing Injury & Death Attorneys

What Is Hazing?

There is no one universal definition of hazing; different states define it differently but, hazing is defined as a situation where someone is subjected to physical or mental duress before being permitted to join a group or organization such as a fraternity, sorority, team, etc. While hazing has been commonplace in the U.S. for a long time, the parents of hazing victims have recently been speaking up with louder voices and organizing against it in greater numbers. Their voices are being heard. Hazing is gaining increasing awareness because of the dangers it poses. Almost every year, people are seriously injured or die from hazing; though many states are trying to stop it, their efforts have been largely ineffective.

Although each act of hazing varies significantly, there are several things they have in common:

• The first most common feature of almost every hazing incident we have seen in our cases is alcohol. In almost every case, the fraternity hazers and the fraternity victims have been consuming alcohol, causing them to do things they would not normally do if they were sober. Alcohol plays a big role in almost all hazing.
• The second most common feature of hazing is peer pressure. Peer pressure is the group dynamic that causes young and vulnerable college freshmen who are away from home to submit to dangerous, illegal, and unsafe demands by a fraternity “brother” to perpetuate a tradition. The pledges simply want to make friends in their new school environment and be accepted by upperclassmen and, as a result, they do things that they would not otherwise agree to do. Frequently, the fraternity brothers tell them, “I had to do it, so you have to do it”; not wanting to be blackballed, the pledges agree.
• The third most common feature is fear of rejection. No one wants to be rejected by a fraternity after enduring pledging, and no one wants to be ridiculed or embarrassed by saying “no” to something the pledge views as a condition of membership. The fraternity brothers know that they are likely to get pledges to agree to do almost anything.

The collective stew pot is a toxic brew that gets even the best, brightest, and most accomplished young college students to do things that they would never ever have done without these influences on their decision-making process.

Types of Hazing

Most students have trouble identifying hazing because it can look so different. Sociologists are just beginning to study hazing seriously, but there are five basic types of hazing worth mentioning.

The types of hazing we see most often are the following:

• Fraternity Hazing: The abuse or coercion of pledges or junior fraternity members (usually as part of an initiation).
• Sexual Hazing: Forcing or coercing members into performing or simulating sexual acts.
• Alcohol Abuse: Pressuring members into ingesting dangerous amounts of alcohol against their will.
• Violent Hazing: The use or threat of force to abuse and coerce people in a group ritual setting.
• Harassment Hazing: Non-physical forms of abuse or coercion (e.g., sleep deprivation, abuse, torture).

It should be noted that there is frequent overlap with these categories. For instance, forms of sexual hazing are also violent.

Examples of Hazing

Acts of hazing can be unique to the organization performing them, although fraternities nationwide often share the same harmful traditions. Usually, hazing involves the dangerous consumption of alcohol.

Other examples of hazing include the following:

• Public humiliation and ridicule
• Physical abuse, such as beating and paddling
• Forced suffering of hardships such as sleep deprivation
• Forced physical exercise or activities, especially in dangerous circumstances
• Forced consumption of food, either in hazardous quantities or conditions

The Mental & Emotional Consequences of Hazing

Although the media only reports hazing that results in severe injury, hazing causes untold amounts of harm to thousands of people every year that never make the headlines. Hazing happens to students of all genders and ages, from middle schools to universities. When surveyed, half of college students in clubs, sports, or organizations reported being hazed.

Hazing abuse can result in problems like:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Depression
• Inability to sleep
• Feelings of losing control
• Degraded relationships with friends and family
• Growing sense of isolation
• Loss of trust in organizations
• Emotional or mental instability
• Inability to complete coursework or earn good grades
• Post-traumatic stress

Where Does Hazing Occur?

The most obvious place where hazing occurs is Greek life; however, that is not the only spot. It can also occur in sports, clubs, honor societies, and more. Wherever people are seeking admission, there is a threat of hazing. It is most prevalent in colleges, but it can also occur at middle schools, high schools, companies, and more.

Is It True That Hazing Builds Unity & Camaraderie?

There's no evidence that hazing abuse builds "unity." What we do have is a wealth of knowledge showing that systematic and targeted abuse is used to exert control and power over others—and that the victims can be taught to perpetuate abuse in a vicious cycle. Fraternities are hierarchical organizations with senior ranking members, officers, junior members, and prospective members. While there is nothing wrong with having a ranking system, fraternities often employ hazing to solidify the power structure of the organization. Its why new members feel entitled to abuse new members: because their place in the hierarchy allows them to do so. That is what hazing creates: not unity, not camaraderie, but control.

What Should I Look for in a Hazing Attorney?

Hazing is often committed by organizations such as sports teams, clubs, university programs, and fraternities. Most of these organizations are well-prepared for litigation when tragedy occurs, which is why families need an equally well-prepared trial lawyer in their corner. The victims of hazing don't just need someone who is a strong litigator; they need someone familiar with institutional dynamics, knows hazing law, and has had prior success in trying hazing cases.

That's why victims of hazing call Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A.: we have obtained the largest fraternity hazing jury verdict in the country as well as numerous multimillion-dollar settlements for our clients in other cases. We don’t just talk the talk; we have been walking the walk for decades.

STFBC is the only firm that can say we helped write anti-hazing laws in Florida. Anti-hazing advocates have praised our legislative work as "innovative" and “lifesaving.” We are considered by many to be the foremost hazing lawyers in the nation. If you have questions about what happened to you or your loved one, speak with us in a free consultation today.

Let Us Help You Get the Answers You Need About Hazing

If you or a member of your family has been victimized by hazing, or if you have lost someone you love to a fatal hazing incident, we encourage you to contact us now. Our firm handles hazing cases and fraternity hazing lawsuits nationwide, and we passionately believe that students and their family deserve the very best representation.

We are happy to put you in touch with our prior clients, and you can ask them anything you want to about our representation of their families and whether they were happy with our work. We already know what the answer will be.

We will not stop until we have put an end to the dangerous traditions that continue to endanger unsuspecting hazing victims. To take the first step in learning about your options, contact us today. We offer completely free and confidential consultations to review your case, discuss your legal options with you, and help you understand your next steps.