Louisiana Senate Backs Higher Civil Penalties in Hazing Death Lawsuits

People who file civil lawsuits in Louisiana when someone dies from hazing could be in line for higher penalty payments, under a bill that won easy passage from the state Senate.

Senators voted 28-3 Wednesday for Senate Bill 91 by Sen. Dan Claitor’s, which was filed after the death of an LSU student allegedly subjected to a hazing ritual.

The Baton Rouge Republican’s proposal would allow those who file the civil lawsuits to claim additional legal damages if a hazing death is determined to be caused by reckless disregard for the victim’s safety — even if the person being sued wasn’t criminally prosecuted.

LSU student Maxwell Gruver’s death prompted several hazing-related bills this session, including one awaiting House floor debate to make hazing that kills someone a felony crime.