Hazing Legal Rights & Support for Dougherty County Families

Hazing Happens Here. We Fight Back.

Dougherty County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But behind the Greek letters and campus traditions lies a dangerous culture of abuse—one that has already sent students to the hospital and, in far too many cases, to the morgue.

At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, and physical abuse of a student who wasn’t even enrolled yet. This isn’t just a Houston problem. The same fraternities operate at universities near Dougherty County. The same negligence exists here. And we will fight for Dougherty County families with the same aggression.

If your child has been hazed—whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization—you have legal rights. And we’re here to help you enforce them.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis: It’s Happening Near Dougherty County

Hazing is Not “Tradition.” It’s Abuse.

Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s a systematic, often violent process designed to humiliate, degrade, and endanger students. What starts as “pledge activities” can escalate into:

✅ Physical torture – Waterboarding, beatings, forced exercise until collapse
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol poisoning, eating until vomiting
✅ Psychological abuse – Sleep deprivation, isolation, threats
✅ Sexual humiliation – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects
✅ Medical emergencies – Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, traumatic brain injury

Hazing is Illegal in Georgia

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61) defines hazing as:

“Any activity which endangers the physical health of a student, or which causes mental harm to a student, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any organization.”

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Georgia law says that doesn’t matter. If they were hazed, the organization—and the individuals involved—can be held legally responsible.

💔 Real Cases, Real Consequences: Hazing Kills & Injures Students

Case 1: The $10 Million Fight (Houston, TX – 2025)

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi)
What Happened:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls until he couldn’t stand
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep running
• Collapsed at home, crawled up stairs, and was rushed to the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Hospitalized for 4 days

Who’s Responsible?
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National – Knew about a “hazing crisis” but did nothing
✔ University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where the abuse happened
✔ Individual members – Participated in and enabled the hazing

Our Lawsuit: We are actively pursuing $10 million in damages for Bermudez. The same legal strategies apply to Dougherty County victims.

Case 2: The $6.1 Million Verdict (LSU – 2017)

Victim: Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink alcohol as part of a “Bible Study” hazing ritual
• Blood alcohol level: 0.495 (more than 6x the legal limit)
• Died from alcohol poisoning

Outcome:

• $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
• Criminal convictions for multiple members
• Louisiana passed the “Max Gruver Act” – making hazing a felony

Case 3: The $110 Million Settlement (Penn State – 2017)

Victim: Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes during “the gauntlet”
• Fell down stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated
• Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911
• Died from traumatic brain injury

Outcome:

• $110+ million settlement (confidential, but estimated in that range)
• 18 members criminally charged
• Pennsylvania passed the “Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law”

🔥 Why These Cases Matter for Dougherty County Families

1. Hazing isn’t just a “college problem.” It’s happening at universities near Dougherty County, and the same fraternities involved in these lawsuits have chapters here.
2. Universities know about hazing—and they do nothing. The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 but failed to stop it from happening again.
3. National fraternities have a pattern of abuse. Pi Kappa Phi had another hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU) but did nothing to stop it from happening again.
4. Juries award millions for hazing victims. These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win big—and the same results are possible for Dougherty County families.
5. Criminal charges can follow. In many states, hazing is a felony—and university officials who knew and did nothing can be held accountable.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Dougherty County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue for Damages

Hazing victims in Dougherty County can pursue compensation for:
✅ Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for gross negligence)

2. Who Can Be Held Liable?

3. Georgia’s Hazing Law: What You Need to Know

Georgia’s anti-hazing statute (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61) makes hazing a misdemeanor—but if it causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a felony.

Key Points:
✔ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
✔ Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 for hazing.
✔ Individuals can face jail time (up to 1 year for misdemeanor, more for felony).
✔ Universities must report hazing – If they don’t, they can be held liable.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Dougherty County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening, even if they don’t seem serious at first.
✅ Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can cause kidney failure.
✅ Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
✅ Head injuries (from falls or beatings) can cause permanent brain damage.

Go to the ER if your child has:

• Severe muscle pain
• Dark/brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, slow breathing, pale skin)

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. The fraternity will try to destroy evidence—you must preserve it.

✅ Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Screenshot everything.
✅ Photos/videos – Document injuries, hazing activities, locations.
✅ Medical records – Get copies of all hospital/doctor visits.
✅ Witness names – Other pledges, bystanders, friends.
✅ Fraternity documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

❌ Do NOT give statements to fraternity leadership.
❌ Do NOT sign anything from the organization.
❌ Do NOT post about the incident on social media.
❌ Do NOT confront the fraternity or university without legal counsel.

Why? They will try to control the narrative, intimidate witnesses, and destroy evidence. Anything you say can be used against you.

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Georgia, you generally have 2 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit—but evidence disappears fast.

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations – No obligation.
✔ Contingency fees – You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win.
✔ Nationwide representation – We serve Dougherty County families regardless of where the hazing occurred.
✔ Aggressive litigation – We’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case—we know how to win.

Call Now: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Dougherty County hazing emergencies

🏛️ Who We Sue in Dougherty County Hazing Cases

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing.
• Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) can be held personally liable.
• Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the fraternity president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority

• Knew about hazing risks but failed to stop it.
• Have deep pockets and insurance policies.
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National is a defendant in our $10 million UH lawsuit.

3. The University

• Had the power to regulate Greek life but didn’t.
• Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred (premises liability).
• Knew about prior hazing incidents but failed to act.
• Example: University of Houston is a defendant in our case.

4. Individual Members

• Participated in or enabled the hazing.
• Can be held personally liable for assault, battery, and negligence.
• Example: In the Timothy Piazza case, 18 members were criminally charged.

5. Alumni & Advisors

• Hosted hazing events at their homes.
• Ignored complaints about hazing.
• Can be held liable for premises liability.

💰 What Your Dougherty County Hazing Case Could Be Worth

Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what Dougherty County families could recover:

Total Potential Recovery for Dougherty County Families: $100,000 – $10,000,000+

🛡️ Why Dougherty County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Actively Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

• We represent Leonel Bermudez, who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure at the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how to build these cases—and we’ll bring that expertise to Dougherty County.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to deny claims, lowball settlements, and destroy evidence.
• We use that knowledge against them.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere

• We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
• We can pursue federal civil rights claims against universities and national organizations.
• Distance doesn’t matter—we serve Dougherty County families nationwide.

4. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Dougherty County Families

• You pay nothing to hire us.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• No fees, no costs, no risk.

5. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

• Many hazing victims are first-generation college students or come from immigrant families.
• We have bilingual staff to ensure no language barriers to justice.

6. We’ve Won Millions for Injury Victims

• $10+ million in settlements and verdicts for personal injury cases.
• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience).
• Hundreds of successful cases against insurance companies.

7. We Travel to Dougherty County

• We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• We offer video consultations for Dougherty County families.
• You’re not alone—we’re with you every step of the way.

🎯 Our Promise to Dougherty County Families

“We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now. And we will bring that same fight to Dougherty County.”
— Ralph Manginello

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Dougherty County—or anywhere in Georgia—we can help.

✅ Free case evaluation – No obligation.
✅ $0 upfront – We only get paid if we win.
✅ 24/7 availability – Hazing emergencies don’t wait.
✅ Nationwide representation – We serve Dougherty County families anywhere.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We will fight for you. We will hold them accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Dougherty County family.

🔥 To the Fraternities Operating Near Dougherty County: We Are Watching.

Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Kappa Sigma. Sigma Chi. Phi Delta Theta.

If your chapter is hazing students near Dougherty County, know this:

• We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case right now.
• We know how to sue your national organization, your housing corporation, and your individual members.
• We know how to find your insurance policies and make them pay.
• We know how to make juries award punitive damages that bankrupt your chapter.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Justice for Dougherty County Hazing Victims Starts Here

You are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “brotherhood.” It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.

We will fight for you. We will hold them accountable. And we will make sure no other Dougherty County family has to go through this.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now.