US personal injury case settled for $4.2 million
A US family has been awarded $4.2 million in
personal injury compensation after their son was killed in a freshman initiation party in 2005.
Jack Phoummarath died on 10th December 2005 from acute alcohol poisoning after undergoing the Lambda Phi Epsilon pledge process at Texas University. Three members of the fraternity took part in an educational video created by the family as part of a plea agreement. The video, "Enough is Enough", is designed to warn against the dangers of hazing and binge drinking.
The family's personal injury lawyer, Randy Sorrels, worked on the video with the family. "We hope that through this case and these educational opportunities, the dangerous activities that many fraternities sponsor will be curtailed," he said, adding, "These young men and women who were caught up in this tragedy will be forever changed as a result of the loss of Jack Phoummarath. The video sets out powerful clips, photographs, and videotape to grab the attention of its viewer and highlight the dangers associated with hazing."
Updated on 7/28/2008