Louisiana Bill Raises 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 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.