Lawsuit Filed in Fatal FAMU Hazing Incident
A wrongful death suit has been filed by the parents of a Florida A&M band member who died November 19, 2011 after a hazing incident on a band charter bus. The suit, which is being brought against the bus driver and the owner of Fabulous Coach Lines, alleges that the bus company has been knowingly participating in hazing activities for years.
The victim, a 26-year-old drum major, collapsed and died of blood loss after suffering several blunt force wounds during the hazing. The suit goes on to allege that the bus where the hazing took place — Bus C — was specifically set aside for the activity. The attorney for the victim’s parents also alleges that the bus and the air-conditioning were running and that the driver was standing guard outside the door — at one point forcing the student back in to the bus after he had exited the bus at one point to vomit.
According to CNN, some band members said the victim died in a ritual called “Crossing Bus C” — an initiation where pledges are kicked and beaten while running down the center aisle of the bus. The Orlando medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide, and Florida A&M and law enforcement agencies are still investigating the case. No criminal charges have been filed yet in connection with the incident.
Wrongful Death in Florida
Wrongful death civil lawsuits can be complicated because the family must prove that the death was caused at least in part by the defendant(s) and that the death caused emotional and/or monetary damages. That is why you need the experienced team of Tallahassee wrongful death attorneys at Farah & Farah to steer you through this often complex process. If your family has suffered because of an unnecessary and avoidable loss, please call us at (800) 533-3555 so we can discuss your case.
