James Law Group Attorney Comments on Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Washington University

St. Peters, MO, (Law Firm Newswire) January 26, 2015 – An influential Korean family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Washington University, claiming that the university’s permissive approach to campus drug culture led to their son’s death. Last year, student Yongsang Soh fell from a highrise balcony while under the influence of LSD.

Some legal analysts feel that the case will be hard to prove. The victim was an adult who, according to witness statements, made his own choice to take LSD. But Missouri wrongful death attorney Charlie James of the James Law Group, who is not involved with the case, argues that the case has a basis.

“So far, the facts that have come to light in this case paint a troubling picture at Washington University,” said James. “The victim was a member of an unofficial fraternity that the university plainly knew to be a hotbed of illegal student drug activity. The question is, did the university do enough to stop this blatant hazard to student health and safety?”

Lawyers for the plaintiffs told The Riverfront Times that the school was negligent in referring too few drug infractions to local authorities. The plaintiffs allege that many of the students who took drugs with Soh just before he died were known drug users who had only faced light, university-imposed penalties. If those individuals had instead faced responsibility for their previous drug use and distribution in criminal court, the plaintiffs’ lawyers claim, they might not have been taking and offering drugs on the night of Soh’s death.

According to news reports, Washington University handles many drug offenses through an internal disciplinary system, instead of referring offending students to local prosecutors. Some argue that this system protects students’ future reputations, but others say it allows drug culture to fester.

“Right now, many universities are under fire for failing to adequately protect students from illegal activity,” noted James. “The bottom line is that Washington University, just like every other school in the nation, has a responsibility to do its utmost to keep students healthy and safe.”

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in the St. Louis City Circuit Court by Changwoo Soh and Namyeon Suk. It was first reported on in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Learn more at http://www.jameslawgroup.net/. James Law Group, LLC 14 Richmond Center Court St. Peters, MO 63376 Phone: 636.397.2411 Toll Free: 800.229.7112