How do you determine liability after a college party accident?
Parents are not the only ones who worry about children they send off to college.
New York personal injury attorneys worry, too, because they see some frightening cases.
While the majority of fraternity- or sorority-related accidents or deaths that make the headlines stem from hazing incidents, huge parties can apparently result in multiple casualties, too.
Recently, a university fraternity chapter reportedly rented an off-campus condominium clubhouse for a celebratory party venue over homecoming weekend. While the frenzied crowd of students jumped up and down to the music, the clubhouse floor reportedly gave way sending at least two and a half dozen partiers through the collapsed floor to the story below. Cell phone videos reportedly captured the scene before and after the collapse as well as images of bloody didn’t
injured partygoers.
A personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate when a victim is injured due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions (or failure to act) of another person or entity. If the victim can prove someone else caused their injuries, they may be entitled to monetary compensation for damages. Depending on the particular circumstances, damages may include the victim’s current and future medical expenses, current and future lost income, physical and psychological pain, and more. In particularly egregious cases, the court sometimes awards punitive damages as a deterrent against similar conduct in the future.
While the investigation continues, there will no doubt be questions regarding the alleged agreement between the condominium association and the fraternity members, regulations regarding the maximum number of people that can occupy the premises safely and whether that number was exceeded, whether the floor was properly constructed, whether the fraternity member who allegedly booked the party had the authority to do so, and more. Hiring a skilled personal injury attorney early on is beneficial to assure that key evidence that may support a lawsuit doesn’t disappear and to get witness statements while the event is fresh in their minds.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any kind of accident, the Goldstein Law Firm may be able to maximize the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
From our offices in the Bronx, New York, we represent clients and their families in New York City and throughout New York state as well as those injured while visiting New York.