David W. Bianchi, of Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain. Photo: J. Albert DiazMiami Attorney's Campaign Against Hazing Deaths Produces Two State Laws
A death at the University of Miami sent a Miami attorney on a yearslong anti-hazing campaign, which produced a second state law this year.
December 09, 2019 at 06:00 AM
3 minute read
PUBLIC INTEREST
David Bianchi
Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain
Miami attorney David Bianchi represented the parents of a University of Miami freshman who drowned on campus in 2001 in a seminal anti-hazing lawsuit.
His representation transformed into a mission that has taken him to the state Legislature twice to push for anti-hazing laws. The latest change in state law adopted this year offers criminal immunity for the first 911 caller about a hazing victim in distress and people who come to their aid before help arrives.
Bianchi followed up with a road trip taking him from the University of Miami to Florida State University for presentations to about 2,000 people on the new law during National Hazing Prevention Week in September.
He also settled a case this year for a former Florida State student who was knocked unconscious and suffered a skull fracture when he was hit in the face during a fraternity ritual.
Describe key elements of the anti-hazing campaign: David has been at the forefront of hazing cases for many years. His work goes far beyond simply trying cases.
David's epiphany came after obtaining a significant verdict for the parents of Chad Meredith, who died in the UM hazing incident. Rather than just move on, he took a personal interest in the issue, drafting amendments to Florida's anti-hazing law to make hazing a third-degree felony when it results in death or serious injury. The Legislature subsequently passed his proposals, and Gov. Jeb Bush signed them into law.
Since then, David has represented too many other families who have needlessly lost their sons to hazing in Florida and across the country. In 2018, he represented the parents of Andrew Coffey, who died in a hazing incident at Florida State.
Not satisfied and wanting "to make our good law even better," David went back to Tallahassee this year with "Andrew's Law."
His bill passed without a single no vote and was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June. Since then, he has traveled the state educating college students about the dangers and legal consequences of hazing. His decadeslong work is saving lives.
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