Hazing Victims in Union County, Florida: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Union County — And It’s Time to Stop It
Union County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But behind the scenes, at universities near Union County and across Florida, a dangerous culture of hazing continues — one that has sent students to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and in the worst cases, taken lives.
This isn’t just “tradition.” This is abuse. This is assault. And it’s illegal.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re currently representing a student who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles during fraternity hazing at the University of Houston. We’re suing for $10 million — and we’re ready to bring the same fight to Union County.
If your child has been hazed in Union County or anywhere in Florida, we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Not “Just Tradition”)
Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s a pattern of abuse designed to humiliate, degrade, and physically harm students — often under the guise of “brotherhood” or “team bonding.”
Common Hazing Practices in Union County & Beyond:
✅ Physical abuse: Beating, paddling, forced exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
✅ Forced consumption: Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances
✅ Waterboarding & simulated drowning (yes, this happens — our client was waterboarded with a garden hose)
✅ Sleep deprivation: Forced late-night activities, early-morning driving, disrupted sleep
✅ Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion, carrying sexual objects
✅ Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, sexual humiliation
✅ Servitude: Forced cleaning, errands, driving members at all hours
The Medical Consequences Are Real
Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure) — our client suffered this
- Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
- Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
- Hypothermia or heatstroke (from forced exposure)
- Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological damage)
In the worst cases, hazing kills. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Union County
Florida law is clear: Hazing is illegal, and victims have the right to seek justice.
Florida’s Anti-Hazing Law (Fla. Stat. § 1006.63)
Under Florida law, hazing is defined as:
“Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.”
Penalties for hazing in Florida:
- Misdemeanor of the first degree (up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine)
- Felony of the third degree (if hazing results in serious bodily injury or death — up to 5 years in prison)
Important: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
💰 Who Can You Sue? (And Why They’ll Pay Millions)
Hazing cases aren’t just about suing individual students. We go after the institutions that enable this culture — the ones with deep pockets and insurance policies.
Potential Defendants in a Union County Hazing Case:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter forced our client to do 500 squats, waterboarding, paddling |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise chapters, knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National had 8 years to fix culture after Andrew Coffey died — they did nothing |
| University/College | Owned fraternity house, failed to prevent hazing, had prior incidents | University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where hazing occurred |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Chapter president, pledgemaster, and members named in our lawsuit |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes | A former member and their spouse hosted hazing in our case |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for liability | National fraternities and universities have multi-million-dollar policies |
Precedent Cases Prove Hazing Victims Win Big
We’ve studied every major hazing case in the U.S. — and the verdicts are clear: Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
Our $10 million demand in the UH case is in line with these precedents — and we’ll fight for the same justice for Union County victims.
🏥 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Union County
Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. If your child has been hazed, act now.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning symptoms can be delayed
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✔ Photos/Videos: Injuries, hazing locations, any hazing activities
✔ Texts/Group Chats: Screenshots of messages about hazing (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)
✔ Social Media: Posts, DMs, or stories about hazing (don’t delete — this is evidence!)
✔ Witness Information: Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
✔ Documents: Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
✔ Medical Records: Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers
- They will try to control the narrative
- They may destroy evidence
- They may intimidate witnesses
- Anything you say can be used against you
Step 4: Do NOT Post About the Incident on Social Media
- Insurance companies and lawyers will use your posts against you
- Even innocent posts (“I’m fine!”) can be twisted to downplay your injuries
- Stay quiet until your case is resolved
Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Free consultation — no upfront cost
- 24/7 availability — call us anytime
- We handle everything — we’ll deal with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies so you don’t have to
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🔥 Why Union County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles — resulting in rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- We know exactly how to build these cases — and we’ll bring the same fight to Union County
2. We Have Insider Knowledge of How Fraternities & Universities Operate
- Ralph Manginello is a former insurance defense attorney — he knows how these institutions try to avoid liability
- Lupe Pena worked at a national defense firm — he understands their legal strategies
- We’ve handled hazing cases before — including rhabdomyolysis injuries and wrongful death claims
3. We Don’t Back Down — Even Against Powerful Institutions
- Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize claims
- They’ll try to blame the victim, destroy evidence, and lowball settlements
- We don’t let them. We fight for full and fair compensation — and we’re not afraid to go to trial
4. We Travel to Union County for Your Case
- Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve all of Florida
- We offer video consultations for Union County families
- We’ll come to Union County for depositions, meetings, and trials
5. No Upfront Costs — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee — we only get paid if you win
- No hourly fees, no retainers
- You have nothing to lose — and everything to gain
📚 What Compensation Can You Recover?
Hazing victims in Union County may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages (Financial Losses)
- Medical bills (hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (if your child missed work due to injuries)
- Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)
- Educational expenses (tuition, fees, scholarships lost)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)
- Physical pain (from injuries, medical treatment, recovery)
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
- Humiliation & shame (from degrading hazing activities)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
Punitive Damages (To Punish the Wrongdoers)
- Awarded when conduct is egregious, reckless, or intentional
- Designed to send a message and prevent future hazing
- Our UH case qualifies — waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles
🚫 Common Defenses (And Why They Won’t Work)
Fraternities and universities will try to blame the victim. Here’s how we shut them down:
| Their Defense | Our Counter-Argument |
|---|---|
| “They consented to participate” | Florida law says consent is NOT a defense (Fla. Stat. § 1006.63) |
| “It was just tradition” | Tradition doesn’t justify illegal activity — assault is assault |
| “They could have left at any time” | Fear of retaliation, social ostracism, and expulsion create duress |
| “They were drinking voluntarily” | Forced consumption under threat isn’t voluntary |
| “The university didn’t know” | They own the fraternity house — they had a duty to inspect and regulate |
🎯 Our Strategy: How We Win Hazing Cases in Union County
1. Build a Rock-Solid Case with Evidence
- Medical records proving injuries
- Texts, photos, and videos of hazing
- Witness testimony from other pledges
- Prior incidents at the same chapter/university
2. Identify All Liable Parties
- Local chapter
- National organization
- University
- Individual members
- Alumni/hosts
3. Demand Policy Limits from Insurance Companies
- National fraternities have multi-million-dollar insurance policies
- Universities have institutional liability coverage
- We know how to maximize recovery from these policies
4. Go to Trial if Necessary
- Most cases settle, but we’re not afraid to go to trial
- Juries hate hazing — they award big verdicts for victims
- Our track record: Millions recovered for clients in personal injury cases
5. Send a Message That Hazing Won’t Be Tolerated
- $10 million isn’t just compensation — it’s a warning
- We want every fraternity in Union County and Florida to know: If you haze, you will pay.
📢 What Union County Parents Need to Know
1. Hazing Is Happening at Universities Near Union County
- Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other major fraternities have chapters at Florida universities near Union County
- The same national organizations that paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths operate near Union County
- If it happened at UH, it can happen in Union County
2. The University Is Responsible Too
- Many universities own or control fraternity houses
- They have a duty to protect students from hazing
- If they knew (or should have known) about hazing and did nothing, they’re liable
3. Time Is Running Out
- Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury is 4 years — but don’t wait
- Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire
- The sooner you act, the stronger your case
4. Your Child Doesn’t Have to Be a Student to Be Hazed
- Our client wasn’t even enrolled at UH — he was a “ghost rush”
- Fraternities recruit prospective students and subject them to hazing
- If your child was hazed, they have rights — regardless of enrollment status
🚨 Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed in Union County
Hazing is often hidden, but there are red flags parents should watch for:
✅ Physical signs:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
- Extreme fatigue or difficulty moving
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, passing out)
✅ Behavioral changes:
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Sudden secrecy about activities
- Fear of retaliation or punishment
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
- Drop in academic performance
✅ Financial signs:
- Unexplained expenses (buying alcohol, fraternity fees)
- Missing money or valuables
✅ Social media clues:
- Deleted posts or messages
- New, secretive social media accounts
- Posts about “pledging,” “brotherhood,” or “traditions”
If you notice these signs, your child may be at risk. Contact us immediately.
📞 What to Do Next: Contact Attorney 911 Today
If your child has been hazed in Union County or anywhere in Florida, you have legal options. We can help you:
✔ Hold the fraternity, university, and individuals accountable
✔ Recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more
✔ Send a message that hazing won’t be tolerated in Union County
📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We’re available 24/7 — and we don’t charge a fee unless we win your case.
🔥 Final Message: Enough Is Enough
Hazing has no place in Union County or anywhere in Florida. It’s not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse — and it needs to stop.
If your child has been hazed, you don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to let them get away with it. You can fight back.
We’re Attorney 911. We’re fighting this battle right now. And we’re ready to fight for you.
Call us today. Let’s hold them accountable.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
