Typical frat hazing includes things like alcohol abuse, sleep deprivation, physical abuse, mental humiliation, dangerous activities, and social isolation.
Entering a fraternity can be an exciting time for young men, offering a sense of belonging, brotherhood, and potential lifelong friendships. Unfortunately, this experience can be marred by the dangerous and illegal practice of hazing.
If you or your child have been the victim of frat hazing, an Ohio hazing lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for the horrific experience.
Understanding Hazing
Before diving into specific examples, you should understand what defines hazing. Hazing, according to the National Hazing Prevention Consortium, is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that:
- Humiliates, degrades, or endangers someone physically or emotionally
- Risks emotional and/or physical harm
- Regardless of the person’s willingness to participate
Hazing activities can be physical, mental, or even social in nature. Even if a pledge “agrees” to participate in hazing activities, it is still considered illegal and can have serious repercussions.
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Types and Examples of Typical Frat Hazing
Frat hazing can take many forms, but here are some of the most common types and examples.
Alcohol Abuse
Forced consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol, this type of hazing often leads to alcohol poisoning or other dangerous situations. Examples of alcohol abuse include forcing pledges to drink large amounts of alcohol in a short time, participate in drinking games with severe penalties, or consume alcohol mixed with other substances.
Sleep Deprivation
Keeping pledges awake for extended periods, sleep deprivation can impair judgment and lead to accidents or injuries. Examples of sleep deprivation, in addition to merely keeping pledges awake, include requiring them to complete tasks throughout the night or denying them opportunities for sleep.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes activities like forced calisthenics, paddling, or physical assaults that intentionally inflict pain or risk injury. Examples include forced exercises to the point of exhaustion, hitting, punching, or other acts of physical violence.
Mental Humiliation
Public or mental humiliation includes forced wearing of embarrassing clothing, verbal abuse, or staged pranks that demean pledges. Examples of this kind of hazing include publicly belittling pledges, assigning them degrading tasks, or subjecting them to ridicule.
Dangerous Activities
Participation in dangerous activities poses a significant risk of physical harm, such as forced consumption of dangerous substances or exposure to extreme weather conditions. Examples of this include requiring participation in activities that could lead to serious injury, like climbing buildings, participating in reckless driving, or consuming dangerous or inedible substances.
Social Isolation
Social isolation is all about excluding pledges from social activities or forcing them to perform tasks that isolate them from the rest of the group. Examples include requiring pledges to complete tasks that isolate them or exclude them from social gatherings.
It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and new forms of hazing regularly emerge.
The Legal Ramifications of Hazing
It is illegal for frats to haze in Ohio and 43 other states. Hazing is a serious offense and can have significant legal consequences depending on the severity of the activity and the resulting harm, including:
- Criminal Charges: Depending on the nature of the hazing, perpetrators may face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor assault to felony battery. These charges can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record.
- Civil Lawsuits: Victims of hazing can file civil lawsuits against the perpetrators, the fraternity or sorority itself, and even the university if they failed to take action to prevent hazing. These lawsuits can seek compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages.
- University Disciplinary Action: Universities take hazing very seriously and can impose severe disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion, on students who participate in hazing activities.
Resources for Victims of Hazing
If you or someone you know has been the victim of hazing, it’s important to know that you have options and resources available:
- Report the Hazing: Report the incident to the university’s hazing prevention office, campus police, or local law enforcement.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you suffered physical injuries, seek medical attention and document your injuries.
- Talk to an Attorney: Hazing victims can file lawsuits. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you of your legal rights and explore the possibility of filing a lawsuit against those involved in the hazing.
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How Much Does an Ohio Hazing Lawyer Cost?
At Cooper Elliott, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we’ll take a percentage of the money we recover for you.
There are no upfront fees, and you never have to reach into your pocket to pay us.
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Contact an Ohio Hazing Attorney Today
If you or your child have been a victim of hazing, contact an Ohio hazing lawyer from Cooper Elliott today.
We have used our 100+ years of combined experience to recover over $700 million for our clients. Additionally, we helped to pass Collin’s Law, which increases penalties in Ohio for hazing offenses.
Schedule a free consultation today.
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