Signal Washington Supreme Court rules WSU can be held liable in fraternity hazing death

Summary

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Washington State University can be held liable for the 2019 death of 19-year-old freshman Sam Martinez, who died of alcohol poisoning during a fraternity hazing incident. The court found that WSU owed Martinez a duty of care because of its 'special relationship' with the Gamma Chi fraternity chapter where he died. The court rejected the university's argument that it lacked sufficient control over the fraternity, noting WSU had means to impose discipline or report violations. The ruling upholds a January 2025 Court of Appeals decision and clears the way for the underlying 2020 wrongful-death lawsuit to proceed, though the court has not yet determined whether WSU actually breached its duty. The case led to passage of 'Sam's Law', which imposes mandatory reporting and policy requirements at Washington's public and private colleges regarding hazing prevention.