Hazing Victim Legal Representation – Saint Lucie County, Florida

🚨 Hazing in Saint Lucie County: A Crisis in Our Backyard

Saint Lucie County is home to vibrant communities, top-tier education, and a strong sense of tradition. But beneath the surface of university life, a dangerous culture persists—one that has left students hospitalized, traumatized, and in some cases, dead.

Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is abuse.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the severe hazing of a student who nearly died from rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The fraternity waterboarded him, forced him to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck him with wooden paddles—all while the university and national organization failed to intervene.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Florida. It’s happening near Saint Lucie County.

If your child has been hazed at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Indian River State College (IRSC), or any other institution in Saint Lucie County, we can help. You are not alone. You have rights. And we will fight for you.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Florida)

Hazing is any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with a group.

Common Hazing Practices in Saint Lucie County & Beyond:

✅ Forced alcohol consumption – Binge drinking, “chugging” games, drinking until vomiting
✅ Extreme physical exertion – Hundreds of pushups, squats, or running drills until collapse
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning – A form of torture used in war, now inflicted on college students
✅ Sleep deprivation – Forced late-night activities, early-morning workouts
✅ Beating with paddles or other objects – Physical assault disguised as “tradition”
✅ Forced consumption of non-food items – Peppercorns, hot sauce, or other substances causing vomiting
✅ Psychological abuse – Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual humiliation – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, or other degrading acts

Florida’s Anti-Hazing Law (Fla. Stat. § 1006.63)

Florida law explicitly bans hazing and imposes criminal penalties for those involved.

🚨 Important: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

💔 Real Cases, Real Consequences – Hazing in Florida & Nationwide

1. Andrew Coffey (Florida State University – Pi Kappa Phi, 2017)

• What Happened? Forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during a “Big Brother Night” ritual.
• Result: Died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.556—more than 6x the legal limit).
• Outcome: 9 fraternity members charged, chapter permanently closed.

2. Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana State University – Phi Delta Theta, 2017)

• What Happened? Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” pledge event. Wrong answers = more alcohol.
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495).
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity. Max Gruver Act passed, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

3. Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University – Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)

• What Happened? Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during initiation.
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (largest in Ohio history). Collin’s Law passed, increasing hazing penalties.

4. Timothy Piazza (Penn State University – Beta Theta Pi, 2017)

• What Happened? Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, then fell down stairs repeatedly. Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.
• Result: Died from traumatic brain injury.
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement (estimated). Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law passed in Pennsylvania.

5. Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston – Pi Kappa Phi, 2025) – OUR CASE

• What Happened? Waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, struck with wooden paddles, and forced to eat until vomiting.
• Result: Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure. Hospitalized for 4 days.
• Outcome: $10 million lawsuit filed. Chapter permanently closed.

🔥 These cases prove one thing: Hazing is deadly, and institutions will pay millions when they fail to protect students.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Saint Lucie County?

Hazing doesn’t just involve the students who participate—universities, national fraternities, housing corporations, and even alumni can be held accountable.

Potential Defendants in a Hazing Lawsuit:

💡 Example: In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:

• The local chapter (directly responsible)
• Pi Kappa Phi National (failed to prevent despite “hazing crisis” knowledge)
• University of Houston (owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred)
• Individual members (participated in or allowed the abuse)

💰 What Compensation Can Saint Lucie County Hazing Victims Recover?

If your child was hazed, they may be entitled to financial compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Hospitalization (like our client’s 4-day stay)
• Surgery or long-term treatment
• Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or depression

2. Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work due to injuries
• Lost internship or job opportunities
• Reduced earning potential if injuries affect career

3. Pain & Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation

4. Punitive Damages

• Additional money to punish the defendants for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning)
• Florida allows punitive damages in cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

5. Wrongful Death (If Applicable)

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Future financial support the victim would have provided

💡 Real-World Example:

• Stone Foltz’s family received $10.1 million
• Max Gruver’s family received $6.1 million
• Timothy Piazza’s family received $110+ million

Your child’s case could be worth millions—especially if the university or national fraternity knew about prior hazing incidents.

🚨 What Should Saint Lucie County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?

📌 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, hazing can cause life-threatening conditions (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, internal bleeding).
• Document everything—photos of injuries, hospital records, doctor’s notes.

📌 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Do NOT delete any texts, social media messages, or photos related to hazing.
• Save GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, or WhatsApp conversations.
• Get names and contact info of witnesses.
• Take photos/videos of hazing locations (fraternity houses, basements, etc.).

📌 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to minimize the incident, blame the victim, or destroy evidence.
• Any statement you give can be used against you.

📌 Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Florida’s statute of limitations is 2 years—you must act fast.
• We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis (you pay nothing upfront).
• We will travel to Saint Lucie County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Or email: ralph@atty911.com

🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Saint Lucie County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

• We know how these cases work because we’re actively litigating one right now.
• We understand the tactics fraternities and universities use to avoid liability.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies.
• We know how they try to lowball victims—and we won’t let them get away with it.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

• We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue cases nationwide, including in Florida federal court.

4. Dual-State Licensed (Texas & New York) – Strategic Advantage

• Many national fraternities are headquartered in New York.
• Our New York license gives us leverage in negotiations.

5. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects all communities, including Hispanic students.
• We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers.

6. We Travel to Saint Lucie County

• We will come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win

• Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing unless we win.
• We take the financial risk so you can focus on healing.

8. 24/7 Availability – Hazing Emergencies Don’t Wait

• Call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911.
• We respond immediately to preserve evidence.

📢 Our Message to Saint Lucie County Fraternities & Universities

To the fraternities operating near Saint Lucie County:

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma—we are watching.
• The same legal strategies that won $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.
• If you haze students in Saint Lucie County, we will pursue every liable entity.

To the universities in Saint Lucie County (FAU, IRSC, etc.):

• The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
• If you fail to protect students, you will be held accountable.

To Greek life leadership in Florida:

• The Bermudez case is a warning.
• Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

🎯 Saint Lucie County Hazing Lawyer – We Are Here to Help

If your child was hazed at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Indian River State College (IRSC), or any other institution in Saint Lucie County, you have legal options.

We will:
✅ Investigate the incident and gather evidence
✅ Identify all liable parties (fraternity, university, individuals)
✅ Calculate full damages (medical bills, pain & suffering, punitive damages)
✅ Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
✅ Take the case to trial if necessary

📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We fight for Saint Lucie County families. We fight for justice. We fight to end hazing.

🔥 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hazing in Saint Lucie County

❓ Q: What if my child “consented” to hazing? Can they still sue?

A: Yes. Florida law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

❓ Q: How much is my hazing case worth?

A: It depends on:

• The severity of injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
• Whether the university or national fraternity knew about prior hazing
• The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol, etc.)
• Precedent cases (e.g., $10M for Stone Foltz, $6.1M for Max Gruver)

Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million—your case could be worth just as much.

❓ Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it was part of a fraternity/sorority event, the organization can still be held liable.

❓ Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they should have known about hazing (e.g., prior incidents at the same fraternity), they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

❓ Q: What if my child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital?

A: You may still have a case. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is compensable. We can pursue damages for emotional distress even without hospitalization.

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

A: Florida’s statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the hazing incident. Do not wait—evidence disappears, and witnesses forget.

❓ Q: Will my child have to testify in court?

A: Most cases settle before trial, but if necessary, we will prepare your child thoroughly. Many victims find testifying empowering—it gives them a voice.

❓ Q: What if the fraternity offers us money to stay quiet?

A: Do NOT accept anything without consulting a lawyer. Insurance companies and fraternities lowball victims to avoid larger payouts. We will negotiate for full and fair compensation.

🏆 Saint Lucie County Hazing Lawyer – Free Consultation

You don’t have to fight this alone.

If your child was hazed at FAU, IRSC, or any school in Saint Lucie County, we can help.

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

We fight for Saint Lucie County families. We fight for justice. We fight to end hazing.