🏛️ Hazing Victims in Barbour County, Alabama: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help

To Barbour County Families: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Barbour County, Alabama, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded and hospitalized a student at the University of Houston operate chapters at institutions across Alabama. The same negligence that allowed a student to suffer kidney failure in Texas exists at schools near Barbour County. And the same legal rights that protect victims in Houston protect students in Alabama.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We represent Leonel Bermudez, the University of Houston student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing rituals. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and multiple individuals — and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Barbour County families.

If your child has been hazed at Troy University, Auburn University, Alabama State University, or any other institution near Barbour County, we can help. Distance is not a barrier. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including throughout Alabama.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis Near Barbour County: What Alabama Families Need to Know

Hazing Is Happening at Alabama Universities — Right Now

Barbour County is surrounded by institutions of higher education where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and injuries across America — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and others — have active chapters at universities near Barbour County, including:

• Troy University (Troy, AL — ~60 miles from Barbour County)
• Auburn University (Auburn, AL — ~120 miles from Barbour County)
• Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL — ~100 miles from Barbour County)
• Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL — ~90 miles from Barbour County)
• The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL — ~180 miles from Barbour County)

These are not just names on a map. These are real chapters where real students are being hazed right now.

What Hazing Looks Like in Alabama

The hazing that hospitalized our client in Houston is not unique to Texas. It happens in Alabama too. Hazing near Barbour County can include:

✅ Physical Abuse: Beatings with paddles, forced calisthenics until exhaustion, extreme workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
✅ Forced Consumption: Binge drinking, forced eating until vomiting, consumption of non-food substances
✅ Psychological Torture: Waterboarding (simulated drowning), humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual Humiliation: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
✅ Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members at all hours, running errands

This is not “tradition.” This is not “building character.” This is abuse. And it is illegal.

Alabama Has Strong Anti-Hazing Laws — But They’re Not Enough

Alabama Code § 16-1-23 defines hazing as:

“Any willful action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”

Penalties in Alabama:

• Class C Misdemeanor: Up to 3 months in jail and $500 fine for hazing
• Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail and $3,000 fine if hazing causes serious physical injury
• Class A Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and $6,000 fine if hazing involves alcohol and causes injury
• Felony: If hazing results in death, it can be prosecuted as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide

But criminal charges are not enough. Criminal cases focus on punishment, not compensation for victims. Civil lawsuits allow Alabama families to hold institutions accountable and recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term harm.

Universities Near Barbour County Are Failing to Protect Students

In our Houston case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter. They knew about a prior hazing incident in 2017 at another fraternity on their campus. They did nothing.

The same institutional failures exist at Alabama universities:

• Universities own or control many fraternity houses
• They have oversight responsibility over Greek life
• They receive complaints about hazing — and often ignore them
• They have the power to suspend or expel organizations — but rarely do until someone is hospitalized or dies

If your child was hazed at an Alabama university, the institution shares liability for failing to protect them.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Barbour County Hazing Victim

1. You Have the Right to Sue — Even If You “Consented”

One of the most common defenses in hazing cases is that the victim “consented” to participate. This argument is legally invalid in Alabama.

Alabama Code § 16-1-23 explicitly states:

“Consent of the victim may not be used as a defense in a prosecution under this section.”

This means:

• Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter
• Even if they signed a waiver, it doesn’t matter
• Even if they didn’t report it immediately, it doesn’t matter

The law is clear: Hazing is illegal, and consent is not a defense.

2. You Can Sue Multiple Defendants — Not Just the Fraternity

In our Houston case, we’re suing:

• The local chapter that organized the hazing
• The national fraternity that failed to supervise
• The university that owned the property
• Individual members who participated
• Former members who hosted hazing at their homes

The same defendants can be sued in Alabama:

• The local chapter at Troy, Auburn, Alabama State, or other universities
• The national organization (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, etc.)
• The university (if they own the property or failed to supervise)
• Individual fraternity members who participated
• Alumni or advisors who enabled the hazing

3. You Can Recover Compensation for Physical and Psychological Harm

Hazing causes real, lasting damage. Alabama law allows victims to recover compensation for:

In our Houston case, our client suffered:

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure
• Acute kidney failure — life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
• Psychological trauma — fear of retribution, PTSD, anxiety

These same injuries can happen to Alabama students — and they deserve compensation.

4. You Have Two Years to File a Lawsuit in Alabama

Alabama’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of injury.

This means:

• If your child was hazed in Fall 2025, you have until Fall 2027 to file
• If the hazing is ongoing, the clock may restart with each incident
• But evidence disappears quickly — witnesses forget, messages are deleted, records are destroyed

Don’t wait. Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

💰 What Is Your Alabama Hazing Case Worth?

Every hazing case is unique, but recent settlements and verdicts show that juries take these cases seriously:

These cases prove that hazing victims can win big — and Alabama families deserve the same justice.

Factors That Increase Your Case Value:

If your child was hazed at an Alabama university, we will fight for maximum compensation — just like we’re doing in Houston.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Alabama

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor.

Common hazing injuries that require medical attention:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can cause kidney failure
• Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
• Concussions or brain injuries — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones or internal injuries — from physical abuse
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
• PTSD or anxiety — psychological trauma

If your child is showing any of these symptoms after hazing, take them to the ER immediately:

• Severe muscle pain
• Dark brown or red urine
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Confusion or disorientation
• Vomiting or nausea
• Loss of consciousness

Medical records are critical evidence. Without them, it’s harder to prove the extent of your child’s injuries.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Preserve:

✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — Any communication about hazing
✅ Photos and videos — Of injuries, hazing activities, or the fraternity house
✅ Social media posts — Even if they seem unrelated, save everything
✅ Fraternity documents — Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
✅ Witness information — Names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
✅ Medical records — Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
✅ University communications — Emails, letters, or reports about the incident

If you don’t preserve evidence now, it may disappear forever.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Insurance Companies

The fraternity, university, and their insurance companies are NOT on your side. Their goal is to minimize your claim — or deny it entirely.

Do NOT:

• Give a statement to the fraternity
• Talk to university administrators without legal counsel
• Sign any documents from the fraternity or university
• Accept a settlement offer without consulting an attorney
• Post about the incident on social media

Anything you say can be used against you. Let us handle all communications.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations — No obligation, no upfront cost
✅ $0 upfront fees — We work on contingency: you pay nothing unless we win
✅ Nationwide representation — We serve Alabama families from our Texas offices
✅ Aggressive advocacy — We’ve won millions for personal injury victims
✅ Hazing-specific expertise — We’re litigating a $10 million hazing case right now

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

🏢 Who We Sue for Alabama Hazing Victims

1. The Local Fraternity Chapter

Why they’re liable:

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) directed activities
• Members participated in abuse

Example: In our Houston case, we’re suing the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi for waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse.

2. The National Fraternity Organization

Why they’re liable:

• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Knew about prior hazing incidents (like Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017)
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Have deep pockets and insurance coverage

Example: Pi Kappa Phi National is a defendant in our Houston case. They admitted to knowing about “a hazing crisis” but failed to stop it.

3. The University

Why they’re liable:

• Premises liability — If they own or control the fraternity house
• Negligent supervision — Failed to monitor Greek life
• Institutional knowledge — Knew about prior hazing incidents
• Failure to act — Had power to suspend or expel but didn’t

Example: The University of Houston owns the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was hazed. They’re a defendant in our lawsuit.

4. Individual Fraternity Members

Why they’re liable:

• Participated in hazing activities
• Failed to stop abuse they witnessed
• Can be sued personally for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress

Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

5. Former Members or Alumni

Why they’re liable:

• Hosted hazing at their homes
• Provided alcohol or other resources
• Premises liability for allowing abuse on their property

Example: In our Houston case, we’re suing a former member and his spouse for hosting hazing at their residence.

6. Insurance Companies

Why they matter:

• National fraternities have millions in liability insurance
• Universities have institutional insurance policies
• Homeowner’s insurance may cover individual defendants

Our advantage: As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know how to maximize insurance recoveries.

🎯 Why Alabama Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re not just talking about hazing — we’re litigating a $10 million hazing case as we speak. We represent Leonel Bermudez, the University of Houston student who was hospitalized after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats. We know how to win these cases.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge of How Insurance Companies Work

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how insurance companies:

• Try to minimize claims
• Use delay tactics
• Twist victims’ words against them
• Lowball settlement offers

We use this knowledge to fight back — and win.

3. We Serve Alabama Families Nationwide

While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we represent hazing victims across America, including Alabama. We offer:

• Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
• Travel to Alabama — For depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Federal court authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront Cost for Alabama Families

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

How it works:

• No upfront fees
• No hourly billing
• We advance all case expenses
• We only get paid if we recover compensation for you
• Our fee is a percentage of your recovery

This means Alabama families can fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

5. We Have a Proven Track Record of Winning Big Cases

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death cases
• Significant verdicts in catastrophic injury cases
• BP Texas City explosion litigation — complex mass tort experience
• High-profile media cases — experience handling sensitive, high-stakes litigation

We bring this same expertise to Alabama hazing cases.

6. We Understand the Psychological Impact of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries — it causes lasting psychological trauma. Our client is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on victims and families.

We work with:

• Therapists and counselors
• PTSD specialists
• Life care planners
• Vocational rehabilitation experts

We ensure your child’s psychological injuries are fully compensated.

7. We’re Committed to Ending Hazing Culture

This isn’t just about compensation — it’s about change. Lupe Pena said it best:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

We’re fighting to:

• Hold institutions accountable
• Change Greek life culture
• Protect future students
• Support legislative reform

🏆 Recent Hazing Cases That Prove Alabama Families Can Win

1. Stone Foltz — $10.1 Million Settlement (Ohio, 2024)

• Victim: Stone Foltz, 20, Bowling Green State University
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• Hazing: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement from university and fraternity

Why it matters for Alabama: Same fraternities operate in Alabama. Same negligence exists. Same multi-million dollar outcomes are possible.

2. Maxwell Gruver — $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Louisiana, 2023)

• Victim: Maxwell Gruver, 18, Louisiana State University
• Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
• Hazing: “Bible Study” drinking game — wrong answer = drink more
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495 — 6x legal limit)
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; Max Gruver Act (felony hazing law)

Why it matters for Alabama: Juries award millions for hazing deaths. Alabama families deserve the same justice.

3. Timothy Piazza — $110+ Million Settlement (Pennsylvania, 2017-2023)

• Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19, Penn State University
• Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
• Hazing: “The Gauntlet” — 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs repeatedly
• Result: Died from traumatic brain injury; fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement; Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law

Why it matters for Alabama: Strong evidence = massive outcomes. Alabama universities and fraternities will pay for their negligence.

4. Andrew Coffey — Settlement (Florida, 2017)

• Victim: Andrew Coffey, 20, Florida State University
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi — same fraternity as our Houston case
• Hazing: Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: Confidential settlement; 9 members charged

Why it matters for Alabama: Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of deadly hazing. They had 8 years to fix their culture — they didn’t. Alabama chapters are just as dangerous.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Barbour County Families

Q: My child was hazed at Troy University. Can you help us even though you’re based in Texas?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including throughout Alabama. We offer:

• Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
• Travel to Alabama — For depositions, client meetings, and trials
• Federal court authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Local Alabama partnerships — We work with Alabama attorneys when needed

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Can they still be held liable?

A: Yes. Alabama law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter. The fraternity is still liable.

Alabama Code § 16-1-23:

“Consent of the victim may not be used as a defense in a prosecution under this section.”

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation if they speak out. How can you protect them?

A: We understand the fear of retaliation. We take this seriously. Here’s how we protect our clients:

1. Confidentiality — We keep your case private until you’re ready
2. Legal protections — Retaliation is illegal; we can take action against it
3. Witness protection — We work with law enforcement if threats occur
4. Anonymous reporting — We can file lawsuits without publicizing your child’s name

Our client in Houston is also fearful of retribution. We’re fighting for him — and we’ll fight for your child too.

Q: How much does it cost to hire you?

A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency, which means:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We advance all case expenses
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee is a percentage of your recovery

This means Alabama families can fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: Alabama’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of injury.

This means:

• If your child was hazed in Fall 2025, you have until Fall 2027 to file
• If the hazing is ongoing, the clock may restart with each incident
• But evidence disappears quickly — witnesses forget, messages are deleted, records are destroyed

Don’t wait. Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate in the hazing?

A: Yes. Universities can be held liable for hazing under several legal theories:

• Premises liability — If they own or control the property where hazing occurred
• Negligent supervision — If they failed to monitor Greek life
• Institutional knowledge — If they knew about prior hazing incidents
• Failure to act — If they had the power to suspend or expel but didn’t

In our Houston case, we’re suing the University of Houston because they owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred.

Q: What if my child was hazed at a private university like Tuskegee?

A: Private universities are not immune from liability. In fact, they often have more insurance coverage than public universities.

We can sue private universities for:

• Premises liability
• Negligent supervision
• Failure to protect students
• Breach of duty of care

Private universities have deep pockets and insurance policies — and we know how to pursue them.

Q: My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Do we still have a case?

A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a valid case for:

• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Pain and suffering
• Humiliation and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Many hazing victims suffer in silence. We can help them seek justice.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Yes. Alabama’s anti-hazing law applies on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, we can sue:

• The homeowner (premises liability)
• The fraternity members who organized it
• The national fraternity for failing to supervise

In our Houston case, we’re suing a former member and his spouse for hosting hazing at their home.

Q: What if my child is an international student? Can they still sue?

A: Yes. International students have the same legal rights as U.S. students. Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation.

We have bilingual staff (Spanish-speaking) and can serve international students without language barriers.

📞 Barbour County Families: We’re Here to Help

If your child has been hazed at Troy University, Auburn University, Alabama State University, or any other institution near Barbour County, we can help.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com for a free, confidential consultation.

We offer:
✅ Free case evaluation — No obligation, no pressure
✅ $0 upfront cost — We work on contingency
✅ Nationwide representation — We serve Alabama families
✅ Aggressive advocacy — We fight for maximum compensation
✅ Hazing-specific expertise — We’re litigating a $10 million hazing case right now

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Contact us today.

🔥 A Message to Alabama Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Barbour County — at Troy, Auburn, Alabama State, Tuskegee, and other Alabama universities:

We are watching.

We know you exist. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.

If you haze students in Alabama, we will find every liable entity.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Barbour County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after a student was waterboarded and hospitalized.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. That’s what happens when you haze in Texas.

Your Alabama chapter could be next.

🎓 A Message to Alabama Universities: The Time to Act Is Now

To the administrators at Troy University, Auburn University, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University, and other Alabama institutions:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.

You have the power to:

• Inspect fraternity houses regularly
• Suspend or expel organizations that haze
• Implement real oversight of Greek life
• Protect your students from abuse

Act now — or face the same accountability we’re bringing to Houston.

🏛️ A Message to Barbour County: This Is Our Community Too

Barbour County, Alabama, is a community of hardworking families who value education, tradition, and the safety of their children. When those children leave for college, they deserve to be safe — whether they’re at Troy, Auburn, or any other university.

When universities and fraternities fail to protect them, we step in.

We may be based in Texas, but we serve Alabama families with the same commitment we bring to our local clients. We understand the values of Barbour County, and we’re fighting to protect them.

If your child has been hazed, we will fight for you.

Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Justice.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com today.