Tyler Clementi's parents may sue Rutgers

[blackbeltninja]

Well, if you're going to comment without reading the thread, I'm not going to review for you.

I did read the thread. I still don't think the University is liable.

-d-

 

[Lube]

There a lot of facts that we don't know. I still think whatever happened the afternoon of his death is the missing piece that could explain a lot. Somehow he went from thinking this was something that could be handled to it being hopeless. I have wondered if it was something like the university would not immediately change roommates, that the RA had made a joke of it around the dorm or that someone threatened to tell his parents (if he wasn't out to them). I'm not saying that anything of these things happened; I'm just suggesting that these are the types of things that could have changed Tyler's outlook on the situation. My gut tells me that had the university handled things better, the outcome would have been different.

I don't think you can blame the university for his actual suicide as that is a drastic act that a reasonable person would not take given the circumstances. Depending on the facts there may be a case made for some other torts if they failed to take reasonable actions to provide a safe environment or didn't keep his information confidential. The whole situation wasn't the university's finest hour. They has deep pockets and there is always the risk that a jury will find them responsible and levy a huge award. They (or their insurance company) will likely settle to put the whole thing behind them and avoid the risk of a big loss. Of course any settlement would include a clause that the university does not admit fault.

I agree with this.

Thanks for pointing this out. Much as it's how we tend to think in America, money isn't the only reason to sue. Injunctive relief (that is, asking for a court order requiring the other party to do something, like protect gay students from harassment) is also possible.



It was. Read the thread Tyler started on here. He went to the RA about it.



Well, either you're arguing that no one can ever be blamed for someone else's suicide, since a "reasonable person" would never commit suicide (ignoring cases of terminal illness with enormous physical pain), or you don't actually know what the life of a professional concert violinist is like.

The video went viral on the internet. He could not have had a solo violin career. He spent his life learning to play the violin.

Yes, he could have moved on and wound up with a different, but equally rewarding life. But what 18-year-old knows that? I think the university could very well be partly culpable.

I agree with most of this, too.

What video went viral--his violin performance? Are you saying he could never have a solo career because he wasn't a good player or because of his notoriety? I don't think it matters anymore, especially to younger people. There is no privacy anymore.

You know, people really should learn to read.

Tyler DID complain to the RA and nothing was done. It IS partly the university's fault.

I totally agree with this!

I did read the thread. I still don't think the University is liable.

-d-

An RA is a representative of the university. If he or she mocked Tyler or refused to do anything, then I would think it most certainly is at least partly the University's fault.

 

[FanofFiction]

Just saw this again on CNN today. Legal system moves slow fown there man. But I missed most of the audio on the story. Are they sueing the school or the kids that did the shit?

 

[pat grimshaw]

…It must have been a deep, scalding, wretched type of humiliation…

I wonder if this sensitive young man was an Aspie?