Current:Home > ContactNortheastern University student sues sorority and landlord over fall from window -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Northeastern University student sues sorority and landlord over fall from window
View
Date:2025-04-16 10:45:33
BOSTON (AP) — A Northeastern University student and her parents are suing a sorority, its chapter president and a landlord after the student fell from a window and suffered critical injuries at a party.
Sarah Cox, then a junior at the university in Boston and a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, fell from the window at a party in March 2023, according to court filings. The filing states the kitchen of the apartment where the party was taking place was crowded and that Cox fell at least 20 feet (6 meters) to a driveway below.
Cox’s injuries are “catastrophic” and she will require “one to one care 24 hours per day and seven days per week on a permanent basis,” the lawsuit states. Cox and her parents are seeking $10.2 million in their lawsuit, The Boston Globe reported.
The lawsuit, which was filed in a Massachusetts court in March, says the defendants were negligent by not taking steps to prevent the fall and injuries. The landlord failed to stop tenants from granting access to too many people at one time, and the sorority chapter president should have known that alcohol was being consumed at the party and that could create unsafe conditions, court papers state.
“As a direct and proximate result of this defendant’s breach of these duties, the plaintiff, Sarah Cox suffered catastrophic and permanent injuries and continues to suffer from such permanent and catastrophic injuries,” the papers state.
James Kelly, the attorney listed on the Cox lawsuit, did not respond to requests for comment. Attorneys for the defendants also did not respond to requests for comment.
Defendants are seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed. The case is due to return to court next month, the Globe reported.
Defense attorneys wrote in court papers that the Cox family has not said how or why she fell from the window and that they don’t have evidence to prove negligence.
“Plaintiffs merely allege that all defendants were somehow responsible for the myriad of alleged behavior without any allegations of what actually caused the fall,” wrote the attorneys, William Eveland and Ellen Mannion in court papers in June.
The lawsuit states the sorority used the apartment as its sorority house, and that Cox was a member of the sorority. The lawsuit names both the national sorority and its Northeastern University chapter.
A GoFundMe set up on behalf of Cox had raised nearly $130,000 of its $150,000 goal as of Wednesday. The GoFundMe states that Sarah had hoped to become a doctor and had just returned from her third international medical mission trip, which was dedicated to helping people with limited access to medical care.
The GoFundMe states it was set up by Cox’s brother, Syed Ali, who wrote that the money raised will be used for medical expenses and long-term rehabilitation.
“She has a long road to recovery but we’re praying she makes it through this and gets back on track towards her life goal of helping others,” Ali wrote.
veryGood! (643)
Related
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Idaho murders house being demolished today
- Massive building fire temporarily shuts down interstate highway in Louisville, Kentucky
- Massive building fire temporarily shuts down interstate highway in Louisville, Kentucky
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- More than 40 dead in Liberia after leaking fuel tanker exploded as people tried to collect gas
- Alabama aims to get medical marijuana program started in 2024
- Workers in New England states looking forward to a bump up in minimum wages in 2024
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- 2023 in science: AI, the hottest year on record, and galactic controversy
Ranking
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Billions of pounds of microplastics are entering the oceans every year. Researchers are trying to understand their impact.
- Barack Obama picks his favorite movies of the year: 'The Holdovers,' 'Oppenheimer,' others
- Dominican baseball player Wander Franco fails to appear at prosecutor’s office amid investigation
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Old Navy’s Activewear Sale Is Going Strong & I’m Stocking Up on These Finds For a Fit New Year
- Alabama going to great lengths to maintain secrecy ahead of Michigan matchup in Rose Bowl
- Authorities investigating 2 fatal police shootings this week in South Carolina
Recommendation
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Tribes guard the Klamath River's fish, water and lands as restoration begins at last
Rare footage: Drone captures moose shedding both antlers. Why do moose antlers fall off?
Column: The Newby Awards sends out an invitation to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Country star Jon Pardi explains why he 'retired' from drinking: 'I was so unhappy'
Workers in New England states looking forward to a bump up in minimum wages in 2024
Perspective: Children born poor have little margin for mistakes or bad decisions, regardless of race