🚨 Colbert County Hazing Lawyer: Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Attorney 911 — Fighting for Hazing Victims in Colbert County and Beyond

⚠️ If your child was hazed in Colbert County, you have legal rights — and we will fight for you.

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This same fraternity — and others like it — operate at universities near Colbert County. The same abuse is happening to students in your community. We will bring the same fight to Colbert County.

📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

The Hazing Crisis in Colbert County — It’s Happening Here

Colbert County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But behind the facade of brotherhood and sisterhood, many Greek organizations engage in dangerous, illegal hazing rituals that can cause serious injury or death.

This isn’t just happening in Houston or Florida — it’s happening right here in Alabama, near Colbert County.

Universities Near Colbert County with Greek Life:

While Colbert County itself is a smaller community, it’s surrounded by institutions of higher education where Greek life thrives. These include:

• University of North Alabama (UNA) — Florence, AL (~15 miles from Colbert County)

  • Home to multiple fraternities and sororities
  • Active Greek community with regular recruitment and events

• Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) — Muscle Shoals and Phil Campbell campuses

  • Smaller Greek presence but still active organizations

• Athens State University — Athens, AL (~45 miles from Colbert County)

  • Offers Greek life opportunities for transfer and non-traditional students

• University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) — Huntsville, AL (~60 miles)

  • Large Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities

• University of Alabama (UA) — Tuscaloosa, AL (~100 miles)

  • One of the largest and most prominent Greek systems in the nation
  • Home to dozens of fraternities and sororities

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, and others — have active chapters at these nearby universities.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Colbert County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Is Hazing? — Colbert County Parents Need to Know

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate.

Common Hazing Practices in Colbert County-Area Greek Organizations:

Medical Consequences of Hazing — Colbert County Victims Face Real Danger

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it can cause life-threatening physical injuries including:

• Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (this is what happened to our client)
• Acute kidney failure — Requires hospitalization and can be fatal
• Alcohol poisoning — Can cause death; common in forced drinking hazing
• Traumatic brain injury — From beatings or falls
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — From exposure
• Cardiac arrest — From extreme physical exertion
• Internal bleeding — From physical trauma
• Severe dehydration — From forced activities without water
• PTSD, anxiety, depression — Long-term psychological damage
• Death — Hazing kills students every year in America

Real Hazing Cases — This Could Happen to a Colbert County Student

🔴 OUR CURRENT CASE: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a UH student at the time — “ghost rush”)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston
What Happened:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
• Another pledge lost consciousness during workout
• Result: Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Why This Matters to Colbert County:
Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities across Alabama. The same organization that waterboarded our client operates near Colbert County. If they’re doing this in Houston, they’re doing it in Alabama too.

🔴 Andrew Coffey — Pi Kappa Phi (Florida State, 2017)

Victim: Andrew Coffey, 20
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi — same national organization as our case
What Happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon during “Big Brother Night”
Result: Died from acute alcohol poisoning

Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died. They didn’t. Now Leonel Bermudez is in the hospital. How many more victims will there be in Colbert County?

🔴 Stone Foltz — Pi Kappa Alpha (Bowling Green, 2021)

Victim: Stone Foltz, 20
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
What Happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during initiation
Result: Died from alcohol poisoning; family received $10.1 million settlement

Pi Kappa Alpha has active chapters at universities near Colbert County. The same fraternity that killed Stone Foltz is recruiting your child.

🔴 Maxwell Gruver — Phi Delta Theta (LSU, 2017)

Victim: Maxwell Gruver, 18
Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
What Happened: Forced to drink during “Bible Study” pledge event; wrong answer = drink more
Result: Blood alcohol content 0.495 (6x legal limit); died from acute alcohol poisoning; $6.1 million jury verdict

🔴 Timothy Piazza — Beta Theta Pi (Penn State, 2017)

Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19
Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs multiple times
Result: Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911; died from traumatic brain injury; $110+ million settlement

🔴 Adam Oakes — Delta Chi (VCU, 2021)

Victim: Adam Oakes, 19
Fraternity: Delta Chi
What Happened: Forced drinking during “Big Brother Night”
Result: Died from alcohol poisoning; family received $4+ million settlement

Colbert County Parents: These Are the Same Fraternities Operating Near You

The fraternities involved in these cases aren’t just in Texas or Florida — they have active chapters at universities near Colbert County, including:

These organizations have paid MILLIONS in settlements — but the hazing continues. It’s happening near Colbert County right now.

Who Is Liable for Colbert County Hazing?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible. We pursue every liable entity to maximize compensation for Colbert County victims.

1. Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

• Directly organizes and conducts hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) face personal liability
• Individual members who participate or fail to stop hazing

2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Provides inadequate oversight and training
• Fails to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Has deep pockets and insurance policies

3. University or College

• Fails to supervise Greek life
• Owns or controls fraternity/sorority property
• Knew or should have known about hazing risks

4. Housing Corporations

• Own or control fraternity/sorority houses
• Fail to prevent hazing on their property

5. Individual Members and Alumni

• Participate in hazing
• Host hazing events at their homes
• Face personal liability and criminal charges

Colbert County Families: You Have Legal Rights

If your child was hazed in Colbert County or at a nearby university, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Lost academic opportunities
• Future medical expenses

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Humiliation and shame
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement

Punitive Damages:

• Awarded when conduct is especially egregious
• Meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing
• Can reach millions of dollars

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Colbert County

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Document all injuries and symptoms
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Save all text messages, social media posts, and emails about the hazing
• Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
• Document the location where hazing occurred
• Get names and contact information of witnesses
• Do not delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

• The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
• They will pressure you to sign documents or give statements
• Anything you say can be used against you
• Do not post about the incident on social media

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Hazing cases have strict deadlines — don’t wait
• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget details
• The sooner we start, the stronger your case will be

5. Report the Incident

• Consider filing a police report
• Report to the university’s Title IX office
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

Why Colbert County Families Choose Attorney 911

We are not just personal injury lawyers — we are hazing litigation experts. Here’s why Colbert County families trust us:

✅ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know how to build these cases and win
• Colbert County families get the same aggressive representation

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies think and fight
• We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them
• This gives us an unfair advantage for our clients

✅ Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Can pursue Colbert County cases in federal court
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)

✅ Nationwide Reach — We Serve Colbert County

• While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide
• We offer video consultations for Colbert County families
• We travel to Colbert County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

✅ Bilingual Services — Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds
• We provide comprehensive services in Spanish
• No language barriers to justice

✅ Contingency Fee Representation — $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win your case
• No hourly fees, no retainers
• We take the financial risk so you can focus on healing

✅ Proven Results

• Recovered millions of dollars for injury victims
• Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas
• Experienced with high-stakes litigation against major institutions

✅ We Truly Care

• We see your child as a person — not a paycheck
• We treat Colbert County families like family
• We fight hard because we truly care about justice

Colbert County Hazing Victims: We Will Travel to You

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Colbert County. Here’s how we make it work for your family:

• Free initial consultation by phone or video
• We come to Colbert County for case evaluations, depositions, and meetings
• We handle all communications with defendants and insurance companies
• We file lawsuits in the appropriate jurisdiction — whether that’s in Alabama or federal court
• We travel to Colbert County for trial if necessary

You don’t have to come to us — we will come to you.

What Sets Us Apart for Colbert County Hazing Cases

1. We Understand Greek Life Culture

• We know how fraternities and sororities operate
• We understand the power dynamics and peer pressure
• We know their tactics for intimidating victims
• We’ve litigated against them before

2. We Know How to Find the Money

• National fraternities have millions in assets and insurance
• Universities have substantial endowments and insurance
• We know how to pursue every available policy
• We know how to hold individuals personally liable

3. We Have the Resources to Fight

• We work with medical experts, hazing experts, and accident reconstructionists
• We have investigators and paralegals to build strong cases
• We have the financial resources to take on major institutions

4. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial

• Many hazing cases settle — but we’re prepared to go to trial if needed
• We have a proven track record in the courtroom
• We know how to tell your story to a jury

5. We’ve Done This Before

• We have specific experience with fraternity hazing cases
• We understand rhabdomyolysis injuries like our client suffered
• We know how to defeat the “consent” defense

Colbert County Families: The Clock Is Ticking

You have a limited time to take legal action.

• Alabama has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases
• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records
• Your rights expire

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Frequently Asked Questions for Colbert County Families

Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: We understand that victims often feel pressure to stay silent. However, hazing is illegal and dangerous. Reporting it can prevent future victims. We can help you and your child understand your legal options confidentially.

Q: The fraternity says my child consented. Does that mean we can’t sue?

A: No. Alabama law (like Texas law) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, they did not consent to being abused, tortured, or injured.

Q: We’re in Colbert County and you’re in Texas. Can you still help us?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer video consultations and travel to Colbert County for important meetings and court appearances.

Q: How much will this cost us?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so we only get paid if you do.

Q: What if the hazing happened at a university outside Colbert County?

A: It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. If your child was hazed at a university near Colbert County — whether it’s UNA, UAH, UA, or any other school — we can represent you.

Q: Will my child have to testify in court?

A: Most cases settle without going to trial. If your case does go to trial, we will prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.

Q: What if the fraternity already punished the members involved?

A: That doesn’t prevent you from seeking legal action. In fact, fraternities often punish members to limit their own liability. You still have the right to pursue compensation for your child’s injuries.

Q: Can we sue the university too?

A: Yes, if the university failed to protect your child. Universities have a duty to supervise Greek organizations and prevent hazing. If they knew or should have known about hazing and didn’t act, they can be held liable.

Q: What if my child is an immigrant or international student?

A: Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We represent students from all backgrounds, and we provide services in Spanish for Spanish-speaking families.

Q: How long will this take?

A: Every case is different. Some settle within months; others take years. We work as efficiently as possible while ensuring we build the strongest possible case for your family.

To Fraternities and Sororities Near Colbert County: We Are Watching

Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi — if your chapter operates near Colbert County, know this:

We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after they waterboarded a student and caused kidney failure. We know your national organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. We know you have chapters at universities near Colbert County. We know the same culture exists in your Alabama chapters.

If you haze students near Colbert County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will shut you down.

The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. The same evidence we’re using in our current case exists in your chapter too. The same outrage that juries feel when they hear about waterboarding and 500 squats will apply to your case.

Your chapter could be next.

Colbert County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing can make victims feel isolated, ashamed, and afraid. But you are not alone. We are here to help.

• We understand what you’re going through.
• We know how to fight these institutions.
• We have the resources to win.
• We truly care about your family.

If your child was hazed in Colbert County or at a nearby university, call us today. We will listen. We will believe you. And we will fight for you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Colbert County hazing victims deserve justice. We won’t stop until they get it.