Hazing Victims in Glades County, Florida: You Are Not Alone
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Glades County, Florida, Attorney 911 is here to fight for justice—no matter where you are.
We are currently representing a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. This same abuse happens at institutions near Glades County, and we will fight just as hard for Florida families.
You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept this as “tradition.” You have legal rights—and we will enforce them.
📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition”—It’s Abuse.
Hazing is any dangerous, humiliating, or abusive activity required for membership in a group. In Florida, hazing is illegal—and it can cause serious injuries, psychological trauma, and even death.
Common Hazing Activities in Florida (That Should Never Be Tolerated):
✅ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, drinking games)
✅ Extreme physical punishment (500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides”)
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning (torture disguised as “initiation”)
✅ Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, or other substances)
✅ Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, forced driving, no rest)
✅ Physical beatings (paddling, slapping, branding, burning)
✅ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, carrying sexual objects, being hog-tied)
✅ Sexual assault or harassment (forced nudity, inappropriate touching, sexualized activities)
If your child experienced any of these at a Florida college or university, they were hazed—and they have legal rights.
Why Glades County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized our client.
- Media coverage in ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media.
- Proven results in hazing cases, including rhabdomyolysis injuries and fraternity abuse.
2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions
- Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how universities and fraternities try to avoid responsibility.
- Federal court authority—we can sue national fraternities and universities anywhere in the U.S.
- Aggressive litigation—we don’t settle for lowball offers. We fight for full justice.
3. We Serve Glades County Families—No Matter the Distance
- Video consultations available for Glades County families.
- We travel to Florida for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- No upfront costs—we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
4. We Understand the Fear—and We Protect Our Clients
- Many hazing victims stay silent due to fear of retaliation or shame.
- Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was too afraid to speak publicly—but we ensured his voice was heard in court.
- We protect your privacy and fight for justice without putting you at risk.
What Should Glades County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or concussions) can be life-threatening.
- Document everything—medical records are crucial evidence.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media messages about hazing.
- Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in abuse.
- Write down names of witnesses, perpetrators, and chapter leaders.
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers
- They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
- Never sign anything without consulting an attorney first.
✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing lawsuits—don’t wait.
- Evidence disappears fast—witnesses forget, messages get deleted, and fraternities destroy records.
- We offer free consultations—call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Florida?
1. The Fraternity or Sorority Chapter
- Directly responsible for organizing and conducting hazing.
- Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager) can be personally sued.
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks (many have prior incidents).
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies.
- Deep pockets—they have insurance and assets to pay damages.
3. The University or College
- Owns or controls many fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability).
- Failed to supervise Greek life despite prior hazing incidents.
- Received complaints but did nothing—negligent oversight.
4. Individual Members Who Participated
- Each person who hazed your child can be sued personally.
- Homeowner’s insurance may cover some damages.
5. Alumni Who Enabled Hazing
- If hazing occurred at an alumni’s home, they can be held liable.
- Premises liability applies to off-campus locations.
What Compensation Can Glades County Families Recover?
Hazing cases can result in millions of dollars in compensation, including:
| Type of Damage | What It Covers | Example Amounts |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000–$500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to injuries | $10,000–$100,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.) | $500,000–$5,000,000+ |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation | $500,000–$3,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (waterboarding, extreme abuse) | $1,000,000–$10,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death, families can sue for funeral costs, lost future earnings, and loss of companionship | $1,000,000–$50,000,000+ |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts in the U.S.:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Ohio)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, Louisiana)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
- $4+ million (Adam Oakes, Delta Chi, Virginia)
Florida Hazing Laws: What Glades County Families Need to Know
Florida Statute § 1006.63 – Hazing Prohibited
- Hazing is a crime in Florida, punishable by jail time and fines.
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers are still liable.
- Universities must report hazing incidents—failure to do so is a violation.
Penalties for Hazing in Florida:
| Offense | Criminal Charge | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing (no injury) | Misdemeanor (1st degree) | Up to 1 year in jail + $1,000 fine |
| Hazing causing injury | Felony (3rd degree) | Up to 5 years in prison + $5,000 fine |
| Hazing causing death | Felony (2nd degree) | Up to 15 years in prison + $10,000 fine |
Civil Lawsuits in Florida
- 2-year statute of limitations—you must file a lawsuit within 2 years of the hazing incident.
- No cap on damages—Florida does not limit pain and suffering awards in hazing cases.
- Punitive damages allowed—if the hazing was intentional or reckless, juries can award extra compensation to punish the defendants.
The Same Fraternities Operate Near Glades County—And They’re Still Hazing
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and other national fraternities have active chapters at universities near Glades County, including:
| University | Location Near Glades County | Fraternities with Hazing Histories |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) | Fort Myers (~30 miles) | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) | Boca Raton (~90 miles) | Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables (~100 miles) | Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma |
| Florida International University (FIU) | Miami (~100 miles) | Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale (~100 miles) | Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma |
These same organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. If they’re hazing at UH, they’re hazing near Glades County too.
What Happens If You Don’t Act? More Students Will Be Hurt.
Hazing doesn’t stop unless victims come forward. Every time a fraternity gets away with hazing, another student gets hurt—or killed.
- Andrew Coffey (FSU, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017) – Died from forced alcohol consumption.
- Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017) – Died from “Bible Study” drinking game.
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017) – Died after being forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes.
- Stone Foltz (BGSU, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) – Died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol.
- Leonel Bermudez (UH, Pi Kappa Phi, 2025) – Hospitalized with kidney failure after waterboarding and 500 squats.
If you stay silent, the next victim could be someone you know.
Glades County Families: We Will Fight for You
You don’t have to face this alone. Attorney 911 is here to help Glades County families seek justice.
Why Choose Us for Your Florida Hazing Case?
✅ We’re already fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit—we know how to win.
✅ We travel to Florida—we’ll come to Glades County for your case.
✅ No upfront costs—we only get paid if we win.
✅ Bilingual attorneys—we serve Spanish-speaking families.
✅ Federal court authority—we can sue national fraternities anywhere in the U.S.
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how defendants try to avoid responsibility.
What We Do for Hazing Victims:
✔ Investigate the hazing—gather texts, photos, witness statements.
✔ Identify all liable parties—fraternity, university, individuals.
✔ Demand full compensation—medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
✔ Protect your privacy—no public statements unless you want them.
✔ Fight for justice in court—we don’t back down from powerful institutions.
🚨 Glades County Families: Call Now—Before It’s Too Late
Hazing victims in Florida have 2 years to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears fast—witnesses forget, messages get deleted, and fraternities destroy records.
Don’t wait. Call Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We will travel to Glades County for your case. We will fight for you. And we will make sure this never happens to another Florida student.
