Nearly one year after 18-year-old Carson Starkey died in an alleged hazing incident at a fraternity event, the former student's family is suing the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity's California Polytechnic State University chapter and nine of its members for his wrongful death. Cal Poly is not a defendant in the California wrongful death case. The school has suspended SAE and university officials say there is a good chance the fraternity won't be allowed to come back.
Carsey died of alcohol poisoning on December 2, 2008. He was an SAE pledge who hours before his death participated in a "brown bag" event. Pledges drank alcohol in brown bags given to them by fraternity members.
The Starkeys are accusing the defendants of negligence and violating Matt's law, which lets hazing victims and their families sue for California personal injury. In their California wrongful death complaint, the plaintiffs claim that not only did fraternity members fail to take "reasonable measures" to make sure that excessive alcohol consumption did not occur, but also they neglected to give Starkey the medical attention he needed when they didn't take him to the hospital. The Starkeys contend that fraternity members encouraged the pledges to binge drink.
Four SAE members, who are defendants in the California hazing lawsuit, were charged with giving alcohol to a minor and committing hazing.
Hazing Injuries and Deaths
While hazing may seem like a harmless tradition, there have been many incidents over the years involving someone who has gotten hurt from binge drinking or participating in some other activity that caused the victim to sustain physical and/or emotional injuries.
With universities in Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and Orange County, California, it is no wonder that parents might understandably worry if there child were to decide to pledge a fraternity or sorority. Injuries and deaths can be grounds for a personal injury claim or a wrongful death case.
Matt's law is named after Mathew William Carrington. The college student died in February 2005 after drinking too much water and doing exercises in the Chai Tau fraternity house located close to California State University Chico.
Parents of Cal Poly student Carson Starkey sue over death of son in alleged hazing incident, San Luis Obispo, September 22, 2009
Starkey family files wrongful death suit against fraternity, Austin Legal, September 23, 2009
Fund Established For Student Who Died In Hazing Incident, KTVU, February 7, 2005
Cal Poly freshman found dead after party, KSBY, December 2, 2008
Related Web Resources:
California Hazing Law
