Hazing Lawsuits & Student Safety: A Guide for Wrangell, Alaska Parents & Families

As parents in the close-knit community of Wrangell, the safety of your children is paramount. When your student leaves the familiar shores of the Inside Passage for college, you trust they will be protected. The reality is that a hidden danger exists on campuses nationwide: hazing. This is not about harmless pranks. It is about systematic abuse that can lead to catastrophic injury, lifelong trauma, and even death.

Right now, our firm is actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged abuse by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case, filed as a $10 million lawsuit, involves forced drinking, extreme physical exertion, humiliation, and a shocking institutional response. It is a stark reminder that this can happen anywhere.

This guide is written specifically for parents and families in Wrangell, Alaska. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, outline your legal rights, and show how the same national fraternities and sororities present on Lower 48 campuses operate with similar patterns. If your child has been hurt while pursuing membership in a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, athletic team, or campus club, you are not alone. We are here to help.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Wrangell, hazing might seem like a distant problem tied to large campuses in the Lower 48. The truth is, the organizations your child may join at universities in Washington, Oregon, California, or across the country operate under national banners with well-documented, dangerous traditions. Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining or maintaining membership in a group that endangers physical or mental health.

Alcohol & Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinking. The goal is often rapid, extreme intoxication.

Physical Hazing: This goes beyond tough workouts. It involves paddling, beatings, extreme calisthenics to the point of collapse (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats alleged in the UH case), sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements.

Psychological & Digital Hazing: This includes verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and public shaming. Modern hazing uses technology: demands for 24/7 responsiveness in group chats, forced humiliating social media posts, and location tracking via apps.

Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racist or sexist overtones. It is designed to strip away dignity.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and spirit groups. The common thread is a power imbalance where new members are coerced under the threat of social exclusion or denial of membership.

Law & Liability: Protecting Your Child’s Rights

Hazing is not just a violation of university policy; it is a crime and a civil wrong. Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Wrangell families seeking accountability.

Alaska State Law: Alaska has strong anti-hazing statutes (AS 14.33.250-.290). Hazing is a criminal offense, defined as any action that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Consent is not a defense. Penalties can range from misdemeanors to felonies, especially if serious injury or death occurs.

Federal Law Overlay: Two federal frameworks are critical:

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs.
• Title IX & The Clery Act: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX imposes specific duties on schools. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Civil Liability vs. Criminal Charges:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state to punish individuals (fines, jail time).
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and families to obtain compensation for damages and hold institutions accountable. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil case.

Who Can Be Held Liable? A thorough investigation seeks accountability from all responsible parties:

• Individual Students who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
• The Local Chapter as an organization.
• The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters that sets policies, collects dues, and often has prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
• The University for negligent supervision or deliberate indifference to known risks.
• Third Parties like landlords of off-campus houses or alcohol providers.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Every Family

The tragic cases below are not anomalies; they are patterns. The same organizations and behaviors exist on campuses your child may attend.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. The family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity).
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game. His case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event, leading to a system-wide Greek life suspension.

The Physical Hazing Pattern:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Died from traumatic brain injury during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.

The Institutional Failure Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread sexualized and racist hazing allegations led to multiple lawsuits, coach firings, and confidential settlements, proving hazing pervades elite athletic programs.

What This Means for Wrangell Families: These cases show that universities and national organizations often only change after tragedy and relentless legal pressure. Your family does not have to wait for a tragedy at your child’s school to demand safety and accountability.

Where Wrangell Families Send Their Kids: Campus Realities

Many students from Wrangell and Southeast Alaska attend universities in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, where Greek life and campus traditions are prominent. Understanding the landscape of these schools is key.

University of Washington, Washington State University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University: These large public institutions have significant Greek systems with histories of hazing incidents. National fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Phi Delta Theta have faced suspensions and lawsuits at these very schools for forced drinking, physical abuse, and endangerment.

Private Universities & Liberal Arts Colleges: Schools like Gonzaga University, Seattle University, or Lewis & Clark College also have Greek life and student organizations where hazing can occur, often away from the public eye.

The Common Thread: The national fraternity named in a headline-making case in Ohio or Louisiana is often the same organization with a chapter at a university in Washington or Oregon. Their national policies—and failures—are consistent.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Patterns, Local Harm

When evaluating a hazing incident, the history of the national organization matters tremendously. Courts recognize “foreseeability”—if a national HQ knew about dangerous patterns from other chapters, it may be liable for failing to prevent them locally.

Organizations with Documented, Dangerous Histories:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Multiple deaths, including Stone Foltz. Known for “Big/Little” alcohol hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced numerous lawsuits, including a traumatic brain injury case at the University of Alabama and a chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver case exemplifies its dangerous drinking game traditions.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey death in Florida is part of its history, and our firm’s active lawsuit against its University of Houston chapter alleges extreme physical and psychological abuse.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Has faced repeated suspensions for paddling and alcohol hazing at multiple campuses.

For a Wrangell family, this means the chapter your child encountered is not an isolated entity. It is part of a national network with a known track record. This pattern evidence is powerful in establishing liability and defeating defenses like “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Pursuing accountability requires a meticulous, strategic approach. As Texas-based attorneys, we bring a level of institutional-fighting experience and investigative depth that is critical against well-funded national organizations.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, text threads, and social media DMs. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages.
• Internal Organization Records: Pledge manuals, chapter meeting notes, and communications with national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior misconduct files, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation documents obtained through discovery.
• Medical & Psychological Records: Documenting the full extent of physical injuries (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, broken bones) and psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression).

Damages in a Hazing Case: The law allows recovery for the full scope of harm:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills, future care costs, lost tuition, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: For families who have suffered the ultimate loss, including funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional anguish.

Our Strategic Advantage:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for large companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny, delay, and minimize claims. We know their playbook.
• Complex Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar institutions or their legal teams.
• National Perspective: We track national hazing patterns and organizations. The same groups involved in cases in Texas operate chapters across the country, including at schools Wrangell students attend.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Wrangell Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

• Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy about group activities, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), constant phone use for group chats, and declining grades.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Be calm, non-judgmental, and focused on safety. Ask open-ended questions: “Is anything making you uncomfortable in your new group?” “Are you able to say no if you feel unsafe?”
• If Your Child Is Hurt: Secure medical care first. Then, help them preserve evidence (screenshots, photos). Contact an attorney before reporting to the university to protect their rights and navigate the process strategically.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You have the right to be safe. “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse.
• Consent is not a defense to hazing under Alaska law and most state laws.
• If you need to exit, you can. Send a clear resignation text/email. If you fear retaliation, document it and report it to campus authorities and your attorney.
• Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Policies exist at most schools to encourage calling 911 in alcohol emergencies without fear of minor-in-possession charges.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting evidence (texts, photos, group chats).
2. Confronting the organization directly, giving them time to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing university-offered resolution agreements without an attorney’s review.
4. Posting about the incident on social media.
5. Waiting too long. Statutes of limitations apply, and evidence fades.

Frequently Asked Questions

“My child goes to school far away in Washington. Can you still help?”
Yes. We serve as lead counsel for cases with Texas connections (like a Texas-based national fraternity insurance policy) and as co-counsel with local attorneys in other states. We also provide comprehensive case evaluation and strategy consultation for families anywhere in the U.S. The legal strategies and institutional knowledge are transferable.

“My child ‘agreed’ to participate. Do we have a case?”
Yes. Alaska law (AS 14.33.260) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance is not voluntary.

“Will this be public? I’m worried about our small community in Wrangell.”
We prioritize your family’s privacy. Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We can negotiate for sealed records and private settlements to protect your child’s identity.

“How much does it cost to hire you?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. You can learn more about how this works in our video, How Do Contingency Fees Work?.

“What is the statute of limitations?”
Time is critical. In Alaska, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of injury. However, specific circumstances can affect this. Do not wait. Watch our video on statutes of limitations and contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

About Attorney911: Why We Fight for Hazing Victims

At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we are not just personal injury lawyers. We are complex litigation specialists with a proven record of holding powerful institutions accountable. Our “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” promise means we provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help when families need it most.

Why Choose Us for a Hazing Case?

• Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are not theorists. Right now, we are lead counsel in the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi on behalf of Leonel Bermudez. We are in the fight.
• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) is a former insurance defense attorney. He knows how these companies value claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. This insider knowledge is invaluable in maximizing your recovery. You can learn more about his background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
• Experience Against Giants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has taken on billion-dollar corporations, including in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. National fraternities and universities do not intimidate us. Learn about his career at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Comprehensive Investigative Resources: We have a network of experts—digital forensics specialists, medical professionals, economists, and life-care planners—to build an unassailable case.
• Nationwide Service for Families Like Yours: While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims and their families across the United States through direct representation, co-counsel relationships, and strategic consultation. We understand the concerns of families in communities like Wrangell.

A Confidential Path Forward for Your Family

If hazing has impacted your child, the path forward can feel overwhelming, especially from afar. You need a guide who understands both the legal complexity and the profound personal toll.

We offer a free, completely confidential consultation to Wrangell families. In this conversation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain the legal options available to you.
• Discuss the realistic outcomes and timelines.
• Outline our investigative strategy.
• Answer all your questions about process and cost.

You are under no obligation to hire us. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge so you can make the best decision for your family.

Take the first step toward accountability and safety for your child. Contact us today.

Call Attorney911 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com