Against an all girls religious high school for negligent supervision of a teacher who engaged in sexual conduct with a student on school property
Construction worker suffered serious brain injury after falling 20 feet due to lack of required fall protection
Against a University for Child Sexual Abuse
Against a psychiatric hospital for their failure to prevent a woman in their care from being sexually assaulted.
Against a religious organization because of their negligent supervision of a pedophile priest who sexually abused a child
Against a correctional facility for negligently supervising a guard that physically and sexually abused an inmate in their care
Against child protective services for their failures in preventing the sexual abuse of a child within their care and custody
Defective punch press machinery work accident case.
Dock worker run over by a forklift at a cruise ship terminal causing catastrophic injuries
Nail gun defect case that cause permanent injuries to a worker
Nail gun accident where nail gun discharged sideways resulting in a nail hitting user’s eye
DUI accident, bar alcohol liability & medical malpractice case in Philadelphia (January 2014)
Surgical infection, medical malpractice case in Philadelphia
Drugstore sidewalk fall accident, hip fracture with surgery, filed in Philadelphia
A union carpenter fell through an interior mobile scaffold while at work, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures
A construction worker fell 20 feet because he was not provided with fall protection
A construction accident involving a union roofer who was working without fall protection and fell from a roof resulting in a permanent paraplegic injury
On the job injury to a union carpenter who fell through an interior mobile scaffold, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures
A construction accident on the job involving a union roofer who was working without fall protection and fell from a roof resulting in permanent paraplegic injury
Factory supervisor’s hand was crushed at work due to faulty equipment/machine.
Worker sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion.
Chemical exposure causing burn and inhalation injuries to three union carpenters.
Work accident resulting in an above the knee amputation of the worker’s leg
Philadelphia Kimmel Center construction collapse causing catastrophic injuries
Parking garage collapse at an Atlantic City, New Jersey hotel, killing 4 and injuring 30 (largest construction accident settlement in U.S. history)
Stadium demolition accident which occurred when a front loader fell through a ceiling (Philadelphia, PA)
Forklift accident at marine terminal in New Jersey
Crane accident resulting in leg amputation and other injuries during casino construction (Philadelphia, PA)
Construction worker killed when he came into contact with an uncapped, live electrical wire
Injuries incurred in a workplace accident where plaintiff sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion
The electrocution death of a union electrician on the job, when electrical switch gear malfunctioned
Wrongful death of a union carpenter who died on the job after falling through temporary decking at a local bridge
Wrongful death of a tow truck driver who died on the job when he was accidentally run over by his own tow truck
Wrongful death by electrocution of a union electrician on the job, when electrical switchgear malfunctioned
Slip and fall at an airport
Fatal shooting of a tenant at an apartment complex
A woman violently attacked by bar security personnel without provocation
A horrific incident where a woman was killed after her apartment complex was demolished while she remained in the building
Slip and fall case where client suffered serious personal injuries from a fall
A car accident resulting in serious personal injuries to the plaintiff
A tragic case where a man suffered serious permanent injuries when a tree fell onto his car while he was driving along a public road in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
A car crash where the motor vehicle accident resulted in two passengers being killed and another injured, after a restaurant served too much alcohol to the driver of their vehicle
The on the job injury to a union carpenter who fell through an interior mobile scaffold while at work, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures
Injuries on the job incurred by a factory supervisor when his hand was crushed at work due to faulty equipment
Injuries incurred in a workplace accident on the job where plaintiff sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion
An inadvertent release of dangerous chemicals at a local oil company, causing on the job burn and inhalation injuries to three union carpenters
Construction worker suffered serious brain injury after falling 20 feet due to lack of required fall protection
A construction accident on the job where union laborer was killed while working on the fourth floor of a building because there was no fall protection
Against an all girls religious high school for negligent supervision of a teacher who engaged in sexual conduct with a student on school property
Student sexually harassed and assaulted by high school teacher
Molestation case against sitting state court judge who admitted to the abuse, resigned from the bench and was then disbarred
negligent care of elderly man resulting in hip fractures after fall from hospital bed
negligent transection of common hepatic duct during surgery
71 year old man died due to an undiagnosed e-coli infection
Man died following improper diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis
A construction accident on the job involving union roofer who was working without fall protection and fell from a roof resulting in permanent paraplegic injury
A construction accident on the job involving union roofer who fell from a roof because there was no fall protection and suffered quadriplegia
Nail gun accident where nail gun discharged sideways resulting in a nail hitting user’s eye
Defective punch press machinery work accident case.
For a 67-year-old New Jersey man who suffered serious injury in a motor vehicle accident on the Atlantic City Expressway
For a child who was sexually abused by a clergy member
Union carpenter sustained serious shoulder injuries when he fell after stepping on another contractor’s debris (March 2015)
Against a Christian Board School and other defendants that allowed horrific acts of sexual and physical violence against the young children in their care.
The on the job injury to a union carpenter who fell through an interior mobile scaffold while at work, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures
Wrongful death by electrocution of a union electrician on the job, when electrical switchgear malfunctioned
Man who was killed when his car fell off of a 3 floor parking garage due to defective vehicle barrier protection system
The collapse of a parking garage at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City that injured over 30 construction workers on the job and killed 4 men working on the project (largest construction accident settlement in U.S. history).
Against a fraternity for negligently serving alcohol which resulted in a stabbing assault of two frat party attendees
A workplace accident on the job resulting in below-the-knee amputation of the plaintiff’s right leg
An on the job injury where an union carpenter fell on a construction site and was injured because of defective fall protection equipment
A car crash resulting in a passenger suffering permanent quadriplegic injuries
Colleges and universities across the U.S. have seen significant increases in the numbers of disciplinary actions and arrests. See Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2015 (Published May 2016), published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics. This annual report examines crimes in schools and colleges in the U.S.
Even though there has been an increase in the number of disciplinary actions and arrests, the total number of criminal incidents that were reported to law enforcement is down. According to the report, about 27,500 on campus criminal incidents were reported to law enforcement or security at 2 and 4 year colleges and universities in the year 2013. Interestingly, this represents a general downward departure from prior years, going as far back as 2001.
Despite the overall downward trend in the number of crimes reported to law enforcement, there have been some major increases in the number disciplinary actions for drug and alcohol law violations from 2001 to 2013. What this means is that colleges and universities are declining to report criminal incidents to law enforcement and instead, are handling matters “in house.” This sends the wrong message to students, i.e., that unlawful conduct will be swept under the rug and handled by the school, rather than law enforcement.
In 2001, there were about 24,000 disciplinary actions for drug law violations. By 2013, that number increased to just over 54,000, a 127% increase.
Disciplinary Action | 2001 | 2013 | % Increase |
Drug Violation | 23,900 | 54,100 | 127% |
Alcohol Violation | 130,000 | 190,900 | 47% |
Illegal Weapons | 1,300 | 1,400 | 8% |
*See below for more data on criminal activity on college campuses in the U.S.
From 2001 to 2013, there was a 126% increase in the number of forcible sex crimes on campus. In addition, from 2012 to 2013, there was a 25% increase in the number of reported sex crimes, 4,000 to 5,000, respectively. Sex offenses are more likely to occur at colleges and universities with residence halls than those without them (4.6 vs. 0.5 per 10,000 full-time students).
When a crime occurs on campus, students often believe that the college will take appropriate action. Oftentimes, college security does not. Time and time again, reports of an assault or incident get swept under the rug. A parent’s call may not be returned. The local police department may defer to campus security and not want to get involved. Our attorneys see this type of behavior time and time again.
Under federal and state law, a college or university may be held liable when a student is the victim of an on campus crime such as a physical assault or a sexual assault. Whether it occurs in a dorm room or somewhere else on campus, a college which fails to take reasonable precautions to protect students may face liability. Oftentimes, the college may be liable for negligence in the following:
In recent years, three of the most common cases involving on campus crime include hazing lawsuits, sexual assault lawsuits and alcohol accident lawsuits. In some instances, other parties can be held liable in addition to the college. A fraternity/sorority or bar or nightclub may be held liable.
For example, in an assault case, both the college and a local bar or club can be held liable where an underage student is served alcohol at the bar, and then goes back to her dorm where she is assaulted by an unknown third party perpetrator, who gained unauthorized access to the dorm. The bar can be held liable for serving alcohol to a minor, and the college may be liable for allowing an unknown third party (perpetrator) to access a private dorm room.
According to the most recent data from the 2015 report, Indicators of School Crime and Safety, crimes on college campuses have decreased since 2001. However, as indicated above, the number of disciplinary actions have increased sharply. As indicated above, from 2001 to 2013, there was a 127% increase in the number of disciplinary actions for drug violations. Also, there was a 126% increase in the number of forcible sexual offenses.
While the number of disciplinary actions has increased across the board, the number of arrests has largely stayed the same. With the exception of drug arrests, arrests for alcohol violations and illegal weapons have decreased slightly.
Type of Arrest | 2001 | 2013 | Percent Change |
Drugs | 11,900 | 20,100 | 70% |
Alcohol | 27,400 | 26,600 | -3% |
Illegal Weapons | 1,100 | 1,000 | -3% |
These statistics clearly show that on campus crime still remains a problem. Drugs and sex offenses are some of the most serious issues on college campuses in the U.S.
From the Crime Victim Injury Law Library:
College campuses around the country can be a home to crime and serious injury. Our attorneys have experience standing up the largest universities. If you or a loved one were injured, we can help.
Brian Kent, Esq.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. This includes sexual harassment and sexual violence, such as sexual assault, rape, and other forms of sexual abuse. Colleges and universities that receive federal funding are required to address and prevent sexual abuse on their campuses, provide resources and support to survivors, and follow specific procedures for investigating and resolving reports of sexual misconduct.
Yes, survivors of sexual abuse on college campuses may be able to file a lawsuit against their college or university for failing to adequately address, prevent, or respond to incidents of sexual abuse or misconduct. Under Title IX, schools have an obligation to protect students from sexual abuse and provide a safe and supportive environment for survivors. If your school has been negligent in its handling of your case, you may have grounds for a civil lawsuit.
To file a Title IX complaint against your college or university, follow these steps:
The attorneys at Laffey, Bucci & Kent have extensive experience representing survivors of sexual abuse on college campuses and have a deep understanding of Title IX and its implications. Our team of former prosecutors can help you:
With a national presence and a team of dedicated attorneys, Laffey, Bucci & Kent is prepared to advocate for your rights and help you navigate the complexities of Title IX and college campus sexual abuse cases.
“Responsive” Brian was courteous and professional.
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