Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

holding a fraternity liable for damages

On 10-20-06 a fraternity rented out a portion of the bar where I work as security. I confiscated 8 fake I.D.s that night, but during an investigation into the death of one of their members three more of the members or their dates caimed I admitted them into the bar with their fake I.D.s (the kid who died was also found to be in posession of a fake I.D.). I was consequently arrested shortly thereafter, and fired from my primary job the same day as a result of the arrest. I was cleared of all criminal charges in February, and am now in the process of getting my old job back. When everything is all said and done I will be out more than ten thousand dollars in lost wages and legal fees. I was wondering if there was any way to hold the fraternity liable for the actions of it's members and their dates for using the fake I.D.s in the first place.


Asked on 3/06/07, 4:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Re: holding a fraternity liable for damages

Probably not. It was your job to look for fake IDs so it would be a tough case to sue saying that the fraternity was responsible for you not doing your job. Also, you would need to know that the fraternity did something wrong -- as opposed to the individuals that got in with the IDs. A jury, I think, would not likely be very sympathetic with you. If the fraternity had a fake ID creating mill, perhaps -- but all in all I think that you would be swimming up hill in trying to sue them (even if thewy had insurance coverage, which is unlikely).

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Answered on 3/14/07, 9:02 am


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