State Farm suing to block hazing claims
 

State Farm suing to block hazing claims

July 8, 2004

State Farm Insurance is suing to block anyone from reaping benefits from it due to lawsuits stemming from the Glenbrook North hazing incident.

The parents of at least two victims have sued the company, since the attackers' parents held personal liability insurance for their children.

But in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court, State Farm says it should not be held liable for the acts of Maria Troyanovsky and Kirsten Barrish.


Troyanovsky's parents held a $5 million policy for their daughter, if she were to cause bodily injury to someone, while Barrish's parents held the same policy for $1 million.

Troyanovsky was accused of shooting student Cheryl Daley with a paintball gun, then slamming a recycling bin over her head in the October 2003 incident.

Barrish was accused of hitting Lauren Wilner with pig intestines and choking her.

So, if State Farm wins this suit, is the logical extention for Lloyds and other GLO insurers to take the same stance?

They (Lloyds) have already said they will not cover alcohol related claims if underage drinking is involved.

This has some very serious implications, including potential bankrupting chapters or even nationals.

This has to do with high school hazing, not Greeks. Plus I think the kids are under 18. It's really not the same thing at all.

Maybe I'm just uneducated on personal liability insurance but why would a parent take out a policy that would cover the damage their child did to another person? Did they know these girls were violent?

33 -- You're right. I'm concerned about the precedent within the insurance industry. They tend to talk to each other. If they win this case, why not extend the rules to GLO's? Insurance companies will try not to pay claims if they think they have a chance not to. They are businesses, after all.

Kelly -- A lot of middle class and above folks take out kind of blanket liability coverage beyond their auto and home insurance since they become "targets" for lawsuits. They may not be particularly for their kids -- but rather family coverage.

Once a precedent is set, and insurance companies see it they will all follow to cover their asses and not pay out money.

What the hell differenc does it make if it was in H S or College. It is all encompassing and will filter up or down with the situation.

Just why in Gods Little Green Acre do you think the Risk Management Insurance costs are so high for Greeks?

Can you imagine if you Knocked out Risk Insurance Premiums for each Chapter how that would bring down dues costs.

Lloyds is one of the very highest risk insurers in the world. That is why so many went to them. They have been in business for years and damn near went BROKE with the High Cost PayOuts!

Ex. The IHQ had my Chapter in Penn. instead of Kansas. God when we finally got the morons to figure that out, they owed us $6,000.00 return but damn near put My Chapter out of LXA!

See, get the point!

Thanks for the explanation.