🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: What Franklin County Families Need to Know
🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Franklin County
Hazing isn’t just happening at big universities far away – it’s happening right here in Franklin County, Florida. From fraternities and sororities to sports teams and student organizations, dangerous initiation rituals are putting our children at risk. The same national fraternities involved in multi-million dollar lawsuits across the country have active chapters at institutions near Franklin County.
Franklin County parents: If your child is involved in Greek life, sports, or any student organization, they could be facing the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
⚠️ The Bermudez Case: A Warning for Franklin County
In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing.
What happened to him could happen to your child in Franklin County:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue running
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing – they kept going
Franklin County families: This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate near Franklin County. The same culture exists. The same risks are present.
💰 Why $10 Million? The Precedent for Franklin County Victims
Our $10 million demand isn’t arbitrary – it’s based on what juries have awarded in similar cases:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
Franklin County victims: These same results are possible for you. The law doesn’t care where the hazing happened – it cares about the harm done.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights in Franklin County
Under Florida law, hazing is a crime. But criminal charges aren’t your only option. You can also file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Academic disruption
- Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)
Important for Franklin County families: Florida’s hazing law (Florida Statute § 1006.63) makes it clear that consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, that doesn’t make the hazing legal or the perpetrators immune from liability.
🏢 Who We Can Sue for Franklin County Hazing Victims
We don’t just sue the individuals who directly participated. We go after everyone who enabled or allowed the hazing to happen:
- The local chapter – The fraternity or sorority that organized the hazing
- The national organization – They have the power to stop hazing but often fail to act
- The university – They have a duty to protect students and often own the property where hazing occurs
- Individual members – Everyone who participated or failed to stop the hazing
- Alumni – Those who host or facilitate hazing events
- Housing corporations – Organizations that own or control fraternity/sorority properties
Franklin County institutions: If hazing happens at your campus, we can hold you accountable.
🚑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Franklin County
IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS:
- Get medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Document everything – Take photos of injuries, save all communications, write down what happened.
- Preserve evidence – Don’t delete texts, social media posts, or other communications about the hazing.
- Don’t talk to the organization – Anything you say can be used against you.
- Don’t sign anything – The fraternity, sorority, or university may try to get you to sign away your rights.
- Contact us immediately – Time is critical. Evidence disappears and statutes of limitations apply.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
❌ Don’t confront the organization directly
❌ Don’t post about it on social media
❌ Don’t give statements to the university or organization
❌ Don’t wait – evidence disappears and your rights expire
Franklin County families: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll guide you through the process and protect your rights.
🎯 How We Fight for Franklin County Victims
We’re not just any law firm. We’re former insurance defense attorneys who know how the other side thinks. We’ve handled multi-million dollar cases and mass tort litigation. And we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case in Texas.
For Franklin County victims, we offer:
✅ Nationwide representation – We can handle your case no matter where in Florida you are
✅ Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York
✅ Bilingual services – Se habla español
✅ Contingency fee representation – $0 upfront, we only get paid if we win
✅ Willingness to travel – We’ll come to Franklin County for your case
✅ 24/7 availability – Hazing emergencies don’t wait for business hours
📞 Franklin County Families: Call Now for Help
If your child has been hazed in Franklin County, don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And your legal rights expire.
📞 Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We offer free, confidential consultations. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you decide the best path forward.
Remember: You’re not just fighting for yourself. You’re fighting to protect other Franklin County students from going through the same thing.
🔥 A Message to Franklin County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Franklin County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students, we will find every liable entity.
To the universities in Franklin County:
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing. We held them accountable. If hazing happens at your institution, we will hold you accountable too.
To the national organizations:
You have the power to stop hazing. You have the resources. You have the responsibility. If you fail to act, we will make you pay – literally.
The message is clear: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. And we’re not afraid to use them.
📋 Franklin County Hazing Resources
Local Hospitals (for immediate medical attention):
- Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf – 3801 E Hwy 98, Port St. Joe, FL 32456
- Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center – 449 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405 (nearest major hospital)
Local Law Enforcement:
- Franklin County Sheriff’s Office – (850) 653-2181
- Apalachicola Police Department – (850) 653-9111
Local Colleges and Universities Near Franklin County:
While Franklin County itself doesn’t have large universities, several institutions with Greek life are within reasonable distance:
- Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL (~1.5 hours from Apalachicola)
- Florida A&M University – Tallahassee, FL (~1.5 hours)
- University of West Florida – Pensacola, FL (~3 hours)
- Tallahassee Community College – Tallahosa, FL (~1.5 hours)
Franklin County parents: If your child attends college near Franklin County, they may be at risk of hazing.
Local Support Organizations:
- Gulf Coast State College Counseling Services – (850) 872-3851 (for students needing mental health support)
- 211 Big Bend – Dial 211 (for mental health resources and support)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Franklin County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: Hazing victims often feel pressure to stay silent due to fear of retaliation or loyalty to the organization. It’s important to:
- Document everything (photos, messages, etc.)
- Seek medical attention if needed
- Contact an attorney to understand your options
- Remember that hazing is illegal and dangerous – silence protects the perpetrators
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Florida?
A: Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically 4 years from the date of injury. However, it’s crucial to act quickly because:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations may destroy records
- Some claims may have shorter deadlines
Q: My child signed a waiver. Does that mean we can’t sue?
A: No. Florida law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed a waiver or agreed to participate, that doesn’t make the hazing legal or prevent you from seeking compensation.
Q: We’re worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer. What are our options?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases. This means:
- $0 upfront costs
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
Q: My child is an international student. Will pursuing legal action affect their visa status?
A: No. Pursuing legal action against your hazers will not negatively impact your visa status. In fact, many universities have resources to support international students who are victims of hazing.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. If it was connected to a student organization at a Franklin County institution, we can pursue legal action against the responsible parties.
Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate in the hazing?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If they knew or should have known about hazing risks and failed to act, they can be held liable.
Q: What kind of compensation can we recover?
A: Potential compensation includes:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Academic disruption
- Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)
Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
A: Every case is different. Some settle within months, while others may take years. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation.
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can we protect them?
A: We take retaliation concerns very seriously. We can:
- Send cease-and-desist letters to prevent harassment
- Work with the university to ensure your child’s safety
- Take legal action if retaliation occurs
- Keep your child’s identity confidential when possible
🎓 A Special Message to Franklin County College Students
To the students in Franklin County:
We know you’re under pressure. We know you want to fit in. We know you’re being told that “everyone goes through this” and “it’s just tradition.”
But let us be clear: Nothing justifies torturing another human being.
Waterboarding isn’t tradition. Forcing someone to exercise until their muscles break down isn’t tradition. Striking people with wooden paddles isn’t tradition.
These are crimes. These are torts. These are violations of your university’s policies and state law.
And if you participate, you could be held personally liable – just like the chapter president in the Stone Foltz case who was ordered to pay $6.5 million.
If you’re being pressured to participate in hazing:
- Say no
- Report it to university authorities
- Report it to local law enforcement
- Contact us – we can help protect you
If you’ve already participated and are having second thoughts:
- It’s not too late to do the right thing
- You can report the hazing anonymously
- You can help prevent future victims
- Contact us – we can help you navigate this situation
Remember: The people pressuring you to haze others are the same people who will abandon you when things go wrong. When our client ended up in the hospital with kidney failure, where were the “brothers” who waterboarded him? Where were the leaders who organized the hazing?
They were planning their next event.
🏆 Why Franklin County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases because we’re doing it right now.
2. We Know How the Other Side Thinks
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know how the fraternities, universities, and insurance companies will try to defend themselves. We know their playbook – and we know how to beat it.
3. We Have the Resources to Fight
Hazing cases require significant resources:
- Medical experts to explain injuries
- Greek life experts to explain the culture
- Investigators to gather evidence
- Financial experts to calculate damages
We have the resources and the network to build a strong case.
4. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial
Many personal injury firms settle cases quickly to avoid the work of going to trial. We’re not one of them. We’re trial lawyers who aren’t afraid to take your case to court if that’s what it takes to get justice.
5. We Serve Franklin County and Beyond
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer:
- Video consultations for Franklin County families
- Willingness to travel to Franklin County
- Experience with federal court jurisdiction
- Bilingual services (Se habla español)
6. We Care About More Than Money
Yes, we fight for compensation. But we also fight to:
- Hold the responsible parties accountable
- Change the culture of hazing
- Protect future Franklin County students
- Send a message that this behavior won’t be tolerated
📞 Franklin County Families: The Time to Act Is Now
Every day you wait is a day that:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget details
- Your legal rights are at risk
- Another student could be hazed
We’re here to help. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Remember: You’re not just fighting for yourself. You’re fighting to protect other Franklin County students from going through the same thing.
Together, we can end the culture of hazing in Franklin County.
