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Pickens County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 21, 2026 17 min read
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Hazing Lawyers in Pickens County, Georgia – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable

Pickens County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. You Have Rights. We Can Help.

If your son or daughter was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Pickens County, Georgia, you are not powerless. The same national fraternities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters at universities near Pickens County. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Georgia.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to fight these cases—and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Pickens County families.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

Serving Pickens County, Georgia, and nationwide.

Why Pickens County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure—all because a fraternity decided torture was “tradition.”

This isn’t theoretical. We’re in the courtroom right now. Pickens County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Know How to Sue National Fraternities & Universities

Most local law firms don’t have the resources to take on multi-million-dollar national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or Phi Delta Theta. We do.

  • We sue the local chapter, the national organization, and the university—because all three are responsible.
  • We have federal court authority—we can pursue cases nationwide, including in Georgia.
  • We’ve won against deep-pocketed defendants—including in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, where we secured justice for workers injured in one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history.

3. We Understand the Hazing Culture in Pickens County

Pickens County is home to Reinhardt University, and nearby universities like Kennesaw State University, the University of North Georgia, and Georgia State University have active Greek life chapters. The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and others—have chapters at Georgia schools.

We know:

  • How fraternities hide hazing from universities
  • How national organizations ignore complaints
  • How universities fail to protect students
  • How to prove liability and win compensation

4. We Work on Contingency – No Upfront Costs for Pickens County Families

We understand that Pickens County families may be worried about legal fees. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

No hourly fees. No retainers. No financial risk.

5. We Come to Pickens County When You Need Us

While we’re based in Texas, we travel to Pickens County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

What Is Hazing? Pickens County Parents Need to Know

Hazing is not “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It is abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter or murder.

Common Hazing Activities in Pickens County & Georgia

Category Examples Medical Risks
Forced Consumption Alcohol binge drinking, forced eating, “drink until you vomit” Alcohol poisoning, choking, organ failure
Extreme Physical Exertion 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, “suicides” Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, heart attack
Waterboarding & Drowning Simulated drowning with hoses, held underwater Asphyxiation, brain damage, death
Beatings & Paddling Struck with wooden paddles, belts, or objects Broken bones, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury
Sleep Deprivation Forced all-night activities, early morning workouts Exhaustion, accidents, mental breakdown
Psychological Torture Hog-tying, verbal abuse, humiliation, threats PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide
Exposure to Elements Forced to strip in cold weather, sprayed with hoses Hypothermia, frostbite, heatstroke
Servitude Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands Exhaustion, missed classes, academic decline

Medical Consequences of Hazing in Pickens County

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) → Kidney failure (our client suffered this)
  • Alcohol poisoningComa or death (like Stone Foltz and Max Gruver)
  • Traumatic brain injuryPermanent disability (from beatings or falls)
  • Hypothermia/HyperthermiaOrgan failure
  • Cardiac arrestDeath (from extreme physical exertion)
  • PTSD, anxiety, depressionLong-term psychological damage

If your child was hazed in Pickens County, they could be at risk for these life-threatening conditions.

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Pickens County?

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

  • Directly organized and conducted hazing
  • Individual members who participated
  • Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.)

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

  • Failed to supervise local chapters
  • Ignored prior hazing incidents
  • Did not enforce anti-hazing policies
  • Have deep pockets and insurance

3. The University (Reinhardt, Kennesaw State, etc.)

  • Failed to protect students from known hazing risks
  • Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
  • Ignored prior complaints or incidents
  • Have substantial insurance coverage

4. Individual Perpetrators

  • Each person who participated in or facilitated hazing
  • Can be sued personally for assault, battery, and emotional distress

5. Insurance Companies

  • Fraternity liability insurance
  • University liability insurance
  • Homeowners insurance (for off-campus hazing)

We sue them all. We don’t let anyone hide.

Real Hazing Cases – Real Results for Families

💰 $10.1 Million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State / Pi Kappa Alpha)

  • Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
  • Died from alcohol poisoning
  • University and fraternity paid $10.1 million

💰 $6.1 Million Jury Verdict – Max Gruver (LSU / Phi Delta Theta)

  • Forced to drink during “Bible Study” hazing
  • Blood alcohol level: 0.495 (6x legal limit)
  • Jury awarded $6.1 million

💰 $110+ Million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State / Beta Theta Pi)

  • Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes
  • Fell down stairs multiple times
  • Fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911
  • Settled for over $110 million

🚨 Our Case – $10 Million Lawsuit (UH / Pi Kappa Phi)

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose
  • 500 squats, 100 pushups, wooden paddles
  • Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
  • Hospitalized for 4 days
  • Lawsuit filed November 2025

Pickens County families: These same results are possible for your case.

What Should Pickens County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?

🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if your child seems “fine,” hazing can cause delayed-onset injuries (like rhabdomyolysis).
  • Go to the ER or urgent care—document everything.
  • Request all medical records—these are critical for your case.

📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

  • Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
  • Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing
  • Get names and contact info of witnesses
  • Do not delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing

🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

  • They will try to get your child to sign something—don’t let them.
  • They will try to get a recorded statement—don’t give one.
  • They will try to blame your child—don’t engage.

📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911

  • We offer free, confidential consultations for Pickens County families.
  • We handle all communication with the fraternity and university—so you don’t have to.
  • We preserve evidence and build your case before it’s too late.

⚖️ Step 5: Know Your Legal Rights in Georgia

  • Hazing is illegal in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61)
  • Consent is not a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate
  • You have 2 years to file a lawsuit (Georgia statute of limitations)
  • You can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

Why Pickens County Families Should Act Now

⏳ The Clock Is Ticking

  • Georgia’s statute of limitations is 2 years—if you wait, you lose your right to sue.
  • Evidence disappears—witnesses forget, texts get deleted, fraternities destroy records.
  • The longer you wait, the harder it is to win.

💰 Insurance Companies Will Lowball You

  • They will offer $5,000 or $10,000 to make the case go away.
  • That won’t cover medical bills, therapy, or lost wages.
  • We fight for the full compensation you deserve.

🏛️ Universities Will Protect Themselves, Not Your Child

  • They will downplay the hazing to avoid bad publicity.
  • They will blame your child to avoid liability.
  • We hold them accountable.

🔥 The Only Way to Stop Hazing Is to Sue

  • Fraternities only change when it costs them money.
  • Universities only act when they face lawsuits.
  • Your case could save the next Pickens County student from being hazed.

What Compensation Can Pickens County Families Recover?

Type of Damage Examples Potential Compensation
Medical Bills ER visits, hospital stays, surgery, therapy $50,000 – $500,000+
Future Medical Care Dialysis, kidney transplant, ongoing therapy $100,000 – $1,000,000+
Lost Wages Missed work, lost internships $10,000 – $100,000+
Pain & Suffering Physical pain, mental anguish, PTSD $250,000 – $5,000,000+
Punitive Damages Punishment for outrageous conduct (waterboarding, beatings) $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+
Wrongful Death If hazing results in death $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+

Total potential recovery: $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+

Pickens County Hazing Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can we sue if our child “consented” to hazing?

Yes. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61) says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. Many fraternities haze at private homes, hotels, or rented spaces—we hold them accountable no matter where it happened.

❓ Can we sue if our child wasn’t a student yet?

Yes. Our current client was a “ghost rush”—not even enrolled at UH when he was hazed. If a fraternity recruits and hazes non-students, they can be sued.

❓ What if the fraternity has already been suspended?

That’s an admission of guilt. If the fraternity was suspended, it means they knew they did something wrong. We use that against them in court.

❓ How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—we only get paid if we win your case. No hourly fees, no retainers, no financial risk.

❓ How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

  • Settlement: 6–18 months
  • Trial: 18–36 months
  • We push for the fastest resolution possible while maximizing your compensation.

❓ Can we sue if our child was hazed at a sorority?

Absolutely. Sororities haze too—forced drinking, extreme exercise, humiliation, and worse. We represent victims of all Greek organizations.

❓ What if our child is afraid of retaliation?

We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear retribution—our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was too afraid to speak publicly. We handle everything confidentially.

Fraternities Near Pickens County with Hazing Histories

Fraternity Notable Hazing Cases Universities Near Pickens County with Chapters
Pi Kappa Phi Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017 – death); Our $10M lawsuit (UH, 2025) Kennesaw State, University of North Georgia
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Max Gruver (LSU, 2017 – death); Multiple lawsuits Georgia State, Georgia Tech
Phi Delta Theta Multiple hazing deaths, including at LSU University of Georgia, Georgia Southern
Kappa Sigma Multiple hazing lawsuits, including at Texas A&M Georgia State, Georgia Tech
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021 – death) Kennesaw State, University of Georgia
Beta Theta Pi Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017 – death) Georgia Tech, Emory

These same fraternities operate near Pickens County. They have a history of hazing—and they will do it again unless we stop them.

Pickens County Hazing Lawyers – What Sets Us Apart

Why Choose Attorney 911? Most Law Firms Attorney 911
Hazing Case Experience Rarely handle hazing cases Actively litigating $10M hazing case
National Fraternity Expertise Don’t know how to sue nationals Sue national organizations regularly
University Liability Knowledge Don’t understand university negligence Prove universities knew and failed to act
Contingency Fee (No Upfront Cost) Yes Yes – no financial risk
Federal Court Authority No Yes – can sue nationwide
Travel to Pickens County No Yes – we come to you
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys No Yes – we know their tricks
Bilingual (Spanish) No Yes – Se habla español
24/7 Availability No Yes – 1-888-ATTY-911

📞 Pickens County Families: Call Now – 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child was hazed in Pickens County, Georgia, you have rights. We can help.

🚨 Free, Confidential Consultation

  • No obligation
  • No upfront cost
  • Available 24/7

📍 Serving Pickens County & All of Georgia

  • Jasper, GA
  • Nelson, GA
  • Tate, GA
  • Nearby universities: Reinhardt, Kennesaw State, UNG, Georgia State

💬 Contact Us Today

We fight for Pickens County families. We hold fraternities and universities accountable. We get results.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Fight Back.

To the fraternities operating near Pickens County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories.

If you haze students in Pickens County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue you. We will win.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

To Pickens County families:
Your child didn’t deserve this. The fraternity that did this must be held accountable. The university that allowed it must pay.

Call us. We will fight for you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Justice for Pickens County hazing victims starts here.

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