Hazing Victim Legal Support in Juneau, Alaska: Your Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Juneau – And It’s More Dangerous Than You Think
Juneau is home to University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), a growing campus with active student organizations, including Greek life, sports teams, and clubs. While many students join these groups seeking friendship and leadership opportunities, hazing remains a serious and often hidden problem in Alaska’s college communities – including right here in Juneau.
Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun” or “tradition.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture disguised as initiation. And when it goes wrong – as it often does – the consequences can be life-altering or even fatal.
📍 Hazing in Juneau: What Families Need to Know
- University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) has Greek organizations and student clubs where hazing may occur.
- National fraternities and sororities with chapters near Juneau – including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), and others – have documented histories of hazing deaths and hospitalizations across the U.S.
- Alaska’s remote location can make hazing even more dangerous – medical help may be hours away if something goes wrong.
- Juneau’s tight-knit community can make victims feel trapped – afraid to speak out against peers, coaches, or respected organizations.
- Alaska’s laws on hazing are weak – but federal civil rights laws and personal injury claims still apply, giving victims powerful legal options.
💔 Real Hazing Cases That Could Happen in Juneau
While no major hazing deaths have been publicly reported in Juneau yet, the same dangerous “traditions” that have killed students nationwide are happening right here in Alaska. These are real cases from other campuses – and they could easily happen at UAS or other Juneau institutions:
| Case | What Happened | Outcome | Could This Happen in Juneau? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) | Waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, hospitalized with kidney failure | $10M lawsuit filed; fraternity shut down | ✅ Yes – Same fraternities operate near Juneau |
| Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) | Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died | $10.1M settlement; criminal charges | ✅ Yes – Binge drinking is a common hazing tactic |
| Max Gruver (LSU, 2017) | Forced drinking game; BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit); died | $6.1M jury verdict; Max Gruver Act passed | ✅ Yes – Alcohol poisoning is a leading cause of hazing deaths |
| Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) | Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911 | $110M+ settlement; multiple criminal convictions | ✅ Yes – Delayed medical help is a major risk in remote areas like Juneau |
The same fraternities, the same “traditions,” the same negligence. If it can happen in Houston, Bowling Green, or Baton Rouge, it can happen in Juneau.
⚠️ Warning Signs of Hazing in Juneau
Hazing often starts small and escalates. If your child is in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, ROTC, marching band, or club at UAS or another Juneau institution, watch for these red flags:
🚩 Physical Hazing (Assault & Battery)
- Forced excessive exercise (100+ pushups, 500+ squats, marathon workouts)
- Being struck with objects (paddles, belts, bottles)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning (garden hoses, buckets, showers)
- Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, early morning workouts)
- Exposure to extreme cold or heat (stripping in winter, forced outdoor activities)
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or non-food items (until vomiting)
- Being tied up, blindfolded, or restrained
🚩 Psychological & Emotional Abuse
- Being called demeaning names or slurs
- Forced to carry embarrassing objects (fanny packs with sexual items, signs)
- Public humiliation (wearing ridiculous costumes, singing, dancing)
- Isolation from friends and family
- Threats of expulsion or social ostracism if they refuse
- Being forced to lie to parents or authorities
🚩 Sexual Hazing (Sexual Assault & Harassment)
- Forced nudity or partial nudity
- Sexualized chants, songs, or rituals
- Being forced to engage in sexual acts or simulations
- Unwanted touching or groping
- Being forced to watch or participate in sexualized activities
🚩 Financial Exploitation
- Forced to pay for alcohol, food, or “dues” as part of initiation
- Being charged excessive fees for “brotherhood/sisterhood” events
- Having to buy expensive gifts for members
🚩 Digital Hazing (Cyberbullying & Coercion)
- Forced to post embarrassing content on social media
- Being added to group chats where hazing is coordinated
- Threats of having private photos/videos leaked if they quit
If you notice any of these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing – and they need help immediately.
🏥 Medical Dangers of Hazing – What Juneau Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation” – it can cause serious, permanent, and even fatal injuries. Juneau’s remote location makes these risks even more dangerous – if your child is hazed, they may not get medical help in time.
💀 Life-Threatening Hazing Injuries
| Injury | What Happens | Real Case Example |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown) | Extreme exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups) causes muscle fibers to break down, releasing toxins that destroy kidneys. | Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) – Hospitalized with kidney failure after forced workouts. |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking leads to dangerously high BAC (0.30+), causing coma or death. | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) – Died after drinking entire bottle of alcohol. |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Falls, beatings, or repeated head trauma cause concussions, bleeding, or permanent damage. | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) – Fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911. |
| Heat Stroke / Hypothermia | Forced outdoor activities in extreme heat or cold without proper clothing. | Multiple cases – Students hospitalized after being forced to stand in snow or run in 90°F heat. |
| Internal Bleeding | Blunt force trauma (paddling, beatings) ruptures organs like spleen or liver. | Jared Munoz (UH, 2017) – Hospitalized with lacerated spleen from hazing. |
| Choking / Asphyxiation | Forced consumption, waterboarding, or restraints cut off air supply. | Multiple cases – Students have died from choking on food or drowning during “dunk tanks.” |
| PTSD & Mental Health Crisis | Psychological trauma from abuse leads to anxiety, depression, and suicide. | Too many cases – Hazing survivors report long-term emotional damage. |
❄️ Why Hazing in Juneau Is Even More Dangerous
Juneau’s remote, cold, and isolated environment makes hazing even riskier:
- Limited medical facilities – If hazing goes wrong, your child may need to be airlifted to Anchorage or Seattle for treatment.
- Extreme weather – Forced outdoor activities in subzero temperatures can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, or death.
- Delayed emergency response – If your child collapses from rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning, help may not arrive in time.
- No witnesses – Hazing often happens in isolated locations (fraternity basements, remote cabins, boats) where victims have no way to call for help.
If your child is hazed in Juneau, the consequences could be deadly – and the institutions responsible may try to cover it up.
⚖️ Legal Rights of Juneau Hazing Victims
If your child has been hazed in Juneau, they have legal rights – and powerful options for justice. While Alaska’s hazing laws are weak, federal civil rights laws and personal injury claims still apply, giving victims the ability to sue for millions in compensation.
📜 Alaska’s Hazing Laws (And Why They’re Not Enough)
Alaska currently has no specific criminal law against hazing. However:
- Assault & Reckless Endangerment (Alaska Stat. § 11.41.200-230) – Hazing that causes physical injury can be prosecuted as assault.
- Alcohol-Related Offenses – Forcing someone to drink can lead to criminal charges.
- University Policies – UAS and other Juneau institutions have anti-hazing policies, but they often fail to enforce them.
The problem? Even when hazing is reported, prosecutions are rare, and victims are left with no compensation for medical bills, trauma, or lost opportunities.
💰 Civil Lawsuits: How Juneau Victims Can Get Justice
A civil lawsuit allows hazing victims to sue for financial compensation and force institutions to change. Unlike criminal cases (which focus on punishment), civil lawsuits focus on making the victim whole again.
Who Can Be Sued in a Juneau Hazing Case?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Real Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing. | Pi Kappa Phi (UH, 2025) – Waterboarded a pledge. |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Knew about hazing risks but failed to supervise. | Pi Kappa Phi National – Knew about “hazing crisis” but did nothing. |
| University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) | Failed to protect students despite knowing hazing happens. | University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. |
| Individual Members & Officers | Personally participated in or allowed hazing. | Stone Foltz case – Chapter president ordered to pay $6.5M personally. |
| Coaches & Advisors | Knew about hazing but failed to stop it. | Multiple cases – Coaches have been sued for hazing in sports teams. |
| Alumni & Donors | Funded or encouraged hazing culture. | Some cases – Alumni have been sued for hosting hazing events. |
| Insurance Companies | Provide liability coverage for institutions. | All major cases – Insurance policies often cover hazing settlements. |
What Can Juneau Victims Sue For?
| Type of Damages | What It Covers | Example from Real Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment. | Leonel Bermudez – 4 days in hospital for kidney failure. |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships. | Many victims – Hazing injuries force students to drop out. |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma. | Timothy Piazza – Suffered for 12 hours before help arrived. |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, therapy costs. | Hazing survivors – Many report long-term psychological damage. |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking). | Max Gruver case – $6.1M jury verdict for “gross negligence.” |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death, families can sue for funeral costs, lost future earnings, and loss of companionship. | Stone Foltz – Family received $10.1M settlement. |
💵 How Much Is a Juneau Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts across the U.S. Here’s what similar cases have recovered:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Settlement/Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10M lawsuit pending |
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Alcohol poisoning (death) | $10.1M settlement |
| Max Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Alcohol poisoning (death) | $6.1M jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Traumatic brain injury (death) | $110M+ settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Alcohol poisoning (death) | Confidential settlement |
Juneau families: These same results are possible for your case.
🛑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Juneau
If you suspect your child is being hazed – or if they’ve already been injured – time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire. Here’s what to do immediately:
🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Help (Even If They Say They’re “Fine”)
- Go to Bartlett Regional Hospital (Juneau’s main hospital) or a clinic immediately.
- Tell doctors exactly what happened – even if your child is embarrassed.
- Ask for a full medical report – this is crucial evidence.
- If symptoms appear later (dark urine, extreme soreness, confusion), go back to the doctor.
Why this matters: Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning can take hours or days to appear. Delaying treatment can be deadly.
📱 Step 2: Preserve Evidence (Before It Disappears)
Hazing organizations will delete messages, destroy photos, and intimidate witnesses to cover their tracks. Act fast to preserve evidence:
✅ Texts & Messages – Screenshot all group chats, DMs, and texts about hazing.
✅ Social Media – Save all posts, stories, and messages related to the incident.
✅ Photos & Videos – Take screenshots of any hazing photos/videos (even if they’re “funny”).
✅ Witnesses – Get names and contact info of everyone who saw what happened.
✅ Fraternity/Sorority Documents – Save any emails, manuals, or schedules given to your child.
✅ Medical Records – Request all hospital and doctor records related to the incident.
⚠️ WARNING: Do NOT confront the fraternity, sorority, or university alone. They will destroy evidence and pressure your child to stay silent.
📞 Step 3: Call Attorney 911 Immediately – (888) 288-9111
- We offer FREE, confidential consultations for Juneau hazing victims.
- We work on contingency – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
- We can travel to Juneau – our attorneys will come to you for depositions and meetings.
- We know how to protect victims – we’ve handled hazing cases nationwide, including the $10M Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit.
⏳ Statute of Limitations: In Alaska, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Do not wait – evidence disappears fast.
🏛️ Step 4: Report to Authorities (But Do It the Right Way)
- File a police report – Hazing may be a crime under Alaska’s assault laws.
- Report to UAS Title IX office – Universities are required to investigate hazing under federal law.
- Report to the fraternity/sorority national organization – They may claim they’ll “handle it internally,” but don’t trust them.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Before making any statements to police, the university, or the fraternity, consult an attorney. Anything you say can be used against you.
🚫 Step 5: Do NOT Do These Things
❌ Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university.
❌ Do NOT accept a settlement without talking to a lawyer first.
❌ Do NOT post about the incident on social media – it can be used against you.
❌ Do NOT confront the hazers alone – they may retaliate or destroy evidence.
❌ Do NOT assume “it’s just tradition” – Hazing is illegal, dangerous, and unacceptable.
🏆 Why Juneau Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
🔥 We’re Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Lawsuit – And We’ll Fight for Juneau Victims Too
Right now, our attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
The same fraternities that hazed our client operate near Juneau. The same negligence exists at UAS and other Alaska institutions. We know how to win these cases – and we’re ready to fight for Juneau families.
🏆 Our Experience in Hazing Litigation
| Experience | How It Helps Juneau Victims |
|---|---|
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know exactly how fraternities and universities will try to deny your claim. |
| $10M Hazing Lawsuit (Ongoing) | We’re actively litigating a hazing case right now – same strategies apply to Juneau. |
| Multi-Million Dollar Settlements | We’ve won millions for victims of institutional negligence. |
| Federal Court Admission | We can sue in federal court – critical for cases involving national fraternities. |
| Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York) | We can pursue national fraternities wherever they’re headquartered. |
| Bilingual Staff (English & Spanish) | We serve all Juneau families, including Spanish-speaking victims. |
| Willingness to Travel to Juneau | We’ll come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials. |
💬 What Our Clients Say
“They treated me like family. I never felt like just another case.” – Ambur Hamilton
“Consistent communication – not one time did I call and not get a clear answer.” – Dame Haskett
“They got my case dismissed! I highly recommend this law firm.” – Ruben Garza
“One company said they wouldn’t take my case. Then I got a call from Attorney 911 – and in a few months, I got a handsome check.” – Donald Wilcox
📍 Serving Juneau from Our Offices in Houston, Austin & Beaumont
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Juneau. Here’s how we make it work for Alaska families:
✅ Free video consultations – No need to travel.
✅ We travel to Juneau – For depositions, client meetings, and trials.
✅ Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities in federal court.
✅ Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win.
📞 Juneau Families: Call Attorney 911 Now – (888) 288-9111
If your child has been hazed in Juneau, you have legal rights – and we can help you enforce them.
🚨 Free, Confidential Consultation
- Call 24/7: (888) 288-9111
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Visit: attorney911.com
💰 No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
⏳ Act Fast – Evidence Disappears Quickly
- Medical records need to be preserved.
- Texts, photos, and social media get deleted.
- Witnesses forget details over time.
- Alaska’s statute of limitations is 2 years – don’t wait until it’s too late.
🏆 We Fight for Justice – And We Win
We’re not afraid to take on universities, fraternities, and national organizations. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again for Juneau families.
Call now: (888) 288-9111
📢 A Message to Juneau Fraternities & Sororities: We Are Watching
To the fraternities and sororities operating in Juneau:
We know what’s happening in your chapters. We know about the forced drinking, the waterboarding, the 500 squats, the wooden paddles. We know about the pledges who collapse, the ones who end up in the hospital, the ones who disappear from school.
And we know you think you can get away with it.
You can’t.
- We’re currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after they waterboarded a student and sent him to the hospital with kidney failure.
- We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements – and they’ll pay again.
- We know your universities will try to protect you – but we’ll hold them accountable too.
- We know your members think hazing is “tradition” – but the law calls it assault, battery, and torture.
If you haze students in Juneau, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will make sure you pay.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
🙏 A Final Message to Juneau Hazing Victims & Families
If you’re reading this and you’ve been hazed – or if your child has been hazed – you are not alone.
Hazing thrives in secrecy and shame. But silence protects the abusers, not the victims.
You did nothing wrong. You trusted people who betrayed you. You were subjected to abuse disguised as tradition. And now, you’re dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
You deserve justice. You deserve compensation. You deserve to be heard.
At Attorney 911, we’ve seen what hazing does to families. We’ve seen the hospital bills, the trauma, the lost futures. And we’ve seen how fraternities, sororities, and universities try to silence victims.
We won’t let them silence you.
We’re fighting this battle right now in Texas – and we’re ready to fight for Juneau families too.
Call us. Tell us your story. Let us help you.
📞 (888) 288-9111 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Enough is enough.
