Colorado: Fraternity Hazing Death Case

Estate of Deceased College Student v. Chi Psi Fraternity et al.  Represented the family of a deceased college student who died following fraternity hazing at the University of Colorado in Boulder.  At the outset of this case, one defendant sought to evade liability for his misconduct based upon the State's Dram Shop Act, which expressly prohibits certain civil claims by victim against a social host where the injuries were caused by the victim's own voluntary consumption of alcohol.  Per this defendant, the victim could not proceed with his civil claims because - according to this defendant - the victim's death was caused by his own voluntary drinking.  The Court denied that Motion, ruling that the Dram Shop Act did not apply because, among other reasons:  the defendant was not a "social host;" the consumption of alcohol was coerced in a reckless illegal hazing ritual; and, it is alleged that misconduct by the defendant following the victim's incapacity was a cause of his death.  The case is now proceeding against all named defendants. View the trailer to the documentary "Haze" which deals with this case. Articles about this case follow: News Article 1, News Article 2, News Article 3