×
  • Home
  • About
    • Firm Overview
    • Experience
    • Fraternal Law Conference
    • Conference Sponsorship
  • Our Attorneys
    • Overview
    • Timothy M. Burke
    • Sean P. Callan
    • John E. Christopher
    • Amy M. Hebbeler
    • Patrick K. Hogan
    • Micah E. Kamrass
    • Ilana L. Linder
    • Jacklyn D. Olinger
    • Jacob W. Purcell
    • Jeffrey C. Sun
  • Practice Areas
    • Overview
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Tax
    • Employment Issues
    • Corporate Governance
    • Grant-Making
    • Litigation
    • Risk Management & Hazing
    • Fundraising & Stewardship
    • State Registration for Greek Foundations
  • Client Resources
  • Anti-Hazing
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Newsletter

The health and safety of our employees, customers and communities are our top priority. Read about our response to COVID-19.

  • Home
  • About
    • Firm Overview
    • Experience
    • Fraternal Law Conference
    • Conference Sponsorship
  • Our Attorneys
    • Overview
    • Timothy M. Burke
    • Sean P. Callan
    • John E. Christopher
    • Amy M. Hebbeler
    • Patrick K. Hogan
    • Micah E. Kamrass
    • Ilana L. Linder
    • Jacklyn D. Olinger
    • Jacob W. Purcell
    • Jeffrey C. Sun
  • Practice Areas
    • Overview
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Tax
    • Employment Issues
    • Corporate Governance
    • Grant-Making
    • Litigation
    • Risk Management & Hazing
    • Fundraising & Stewardship
    • State Registration for Greek Foundations
  • Client Resources
  • Anti-Hazing
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
513-721-5525
Fraternal Law

Fraternal Law Newsletter

Publications

Newsletter


Articles

  • ASSOCIATION RIGHTS OF CHAPTER DENIED
  • FINAL DISCLOSURE RULES ARE ISSUED
  • $930,000.00 AWARDED IN KENTUCKY HAZING CASE
  • NEBRASKA UNIVERSITIES HAVE DUTY TO PROTECT STUDENTS AGAINST HAZING

Search

Newsletter > January 2000 > "$930,000.00 AWARDED IN KENTUCKY HAZING CASE"

$930,000.00 AWARDED IN KENTUCKY HAZING CASE

Gary E. Powell


On July  30,  1999,  a  Kentucky  jury  awarded over $930,000.00  to  a  former  University  of  Louisville  student who claimed he was badly beaten as a result of hazing by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  Shawn A. Blackston was awarded $181,428.00 for medical expenses, lost wages and  mental and  physical   suffering. In   addition,   he   was  awarded $750,000.00 in punitive damages against the historically Black fraternity.

[The testimony at trial showed that the chapter members involved in the beating and other hazing practices kept the hazing secret from national fraternity officials.]

Mr. Blackston alleged that he was beaten with a wooden paddle by Omega Psi Phi chapter members in 1997. Mr. Blackston and other prospective members  at the University of Louisville chapter were also forced to eat dog food, stay up all night and run around a track carrying bricks. Mr. Blackston was hospitalized for acute kidney failure as a result of the hazing.

Since at least 1990, when Omega Psi Phi and the other National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities adopted a membership intake process, the fraternity has banned hazing and does not permit physical contact during the membership intake process. The testimony at trial showed that the chapter members involved in the beating and other hazing practices kept the hazing secret from national fraternity officials. Nonetheless, the jury found that the Omega Psi Phi National knew or should have known that the fraternity chapter was hazing initiates. The jury also found that the national fraternity failed to exercise sufficient care to ensure that students participating in the membership intake process would not suffer injuries as a result of hazing.

The jury determined that Mr. Blackston should receive 95% of the jury award because it found him only 5% responsible for what had happened.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Attorney Advertising. The laws governing legal advertising in the state of Ohio require the following statement in any publication of this kind: "THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT." This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Copyright © 2022 Fraternal Law Partners. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy Disclaimer
Fraternal Law

Newsletters

Sign Up For Updates

Get the latest news from Fraternal Law Partners in your inbox.

    By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Fraternal Law Parnterns. You can revoke your consent to recieve emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® Link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.