University of Texas Hazing Settlement Hightlights Importance of Investigations
A tragic Austin, Texas case involving a death from a fraternity hazing recently settled for 4.2 million dollars. Back in 2005, a freshman UT student died of alcohol poisoning when his fraternity brothers hazed him into consuming large amounts of alcohol. The family’s lawyers no doubt did a very good job of piecing together a large puzzle based on the people who witnessed the hazing. With the help of videos, pictures and cell phones from witnesses, the attorneys were able to put together a timeline of events and ultimately won the family of the victim a substantial settlement of recoverable damages.
The key to this case, and all cases really, was the collection of evidence. Whether a person's case is a unique one like this or a more common car accident case, a thorough investigation of any case can often mean the difference between winning and losing. This is why I am constantly reiterating to my accident clients the importance of documenting the accident scene, property damage (if it’s a car wreck) and their injuries with photographs and video, if it’s available. If you been in an accident, stop and think about where it took place. A close-by business like a convenient store or hotel might have surveillance cameras—ask them for their tapes. Or if it was an accident that made the news, call the news station and get a copy of the story that aired. Especially in cases that are hard to prove, every bit of evidence helps, and nothing tells the truth more than a photograph or video.
Witness interviews are also crucial. Not all accidents have witnesses, but if there are witnesses, then they need to be approached in a professional manner. My experience tells me that a witness loses patience if you call them multiple times, so I make sure that a thorough interview (and recorded statement, if necessary) is done the first time.
