Hazing Victims in Rabun County, Georgia: Your Legal Rights & How to Fight Back
If your child—or any student near Rabun County—has been hazed, you are not alone. What happened at the University of Houston is happening at colleges and universities across Georgia, including near Rabun County. And we are fighting back.
At Attorney 911, we are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and subjected to weeks of systematic abuse at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston.
This same fraternity—and others like it—operate chapters at universities near Rabun County, Georgia. The same “traditions” that sent our client to the hospital exist at Georgia colleges and universities, including those in and around Rabun County.
If your child has been hazed in Rabun County or anywhere in Georgia, we can help. Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911.
🚨 What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition”—It’s Abuse
Hazing is not harmless fun. It’s not “building brotherhood.” It’s not “just part of the process.”
Hazing is abuse. It is assault. It is torture.
And in Georgia, it is illegal.
Examples of Hazing That Have Happened Near Rabun County (and Could Be Happening Now):
| Hazing Activity | Real Example (Our Case) | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning | Our client was waterboarded with a garden hose while doing calisthenics | Can cause drowning, panic attacks, PTSD |
| Forced Extreme Exercise (500+ squats, 100+ pushups) | Our client did 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls—leading to rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure | Can cause permanent muscle damage, kidney failure, death |
| Forced Consumption (Alcohol, Food, Non-Food Items) | Our client was forced to drink milk and eat hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting, then forced to keep running | Can cause alcohol poisoning, choking, internal injuries |
| Physical Abuse (Paddling, Beating, Branding) | Our client was struck with wooden paddles | Can cause bruising, internal bleeding, permanent scarring |
| Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion | Our client was forced to drive fraternity members in the early morning hours, leading to exhaustion | Can cause car accidents, mental breakdowns, poor decision-making |
| Psychological Torture (Humiliation, Threats, Isolation) | Our client was forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual objects, threatened with expulsion, and another pledge was hog-tied for over an hour | Can cause PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts |
| Forced Nudity / Exposure | Our client was forced to strip to underwear in cold weather | Can cause hypothermia, humiliation, long-term trauma |
These aren’t “pranks.” These are crimes.
🏛️ Georgia’s Anti-Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Georgia has strong anti-hazing laws to protect students. Under Georgia Code § 16-5-61, hazing is a criminal offense that can result in jail time, fines, and civil lawsuits.
What Counts as Hazing in Georgia?
Georgia law defines hazing as:
“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical health of a student, or that causes mental harm to a student, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a school organization.”
This includes:
✅ Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding)
✅ Forced consumption (alcohol, drugs, food to the point of vomiting)
✅ Sleep deprivation (keeping pledges awake for days)
✅ Exposure to extreme weather (forcing pledges to stand outside in cold/hot conditions)
✅ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
✅ Any activity that creates a substantial risk of harm
Georgia’s Criminal Penalties for Hazing
| Offense Level | Punishment | Who Can Be Charged? |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months in jail + $1,000 fine | Individuals who haze |
| Felony (if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death) | 1-5 years in prison + $10,000 fine | Individuals, chapter leaders, organizations |
| Organization Penalties | Fines up to $10,000 + loss of university recognition | Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs |
⚠️ Important: Consent is NOT a defense.
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Georgia law says consent does not matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim “went along with it.”
💔 What Hazing Does to Victims (And Why It Must Be Stopped)
Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries—it destroys lives.
Physical Consequences of Hazing
| Injury | What It Means | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) | Muscles release toxins into the bloodstream, damaging kidneys | Kidney failure, dialysis, transplant, death |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste from blood | Hospitalization, lifelong medical monitoring, death |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Dangerously high blood alcohol levels | Coma, brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | From beatings, falls, or lack of oxygen | Permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes |
| Broken Bones | From paddling, falls, or physical abuse | Chronic pain, surgery, permanent disability |
| Hypothermia / Heat Stroke | From exposure to extreme weather | Organ failure, death |
| Internal Bleeding | From blunt force trauma | Emergency surgery, death |
Psychological & Emotional Trauma
Hazing doesn’t just hurt the body—it destroys the mind and spirit.
| Effect | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) | Nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, fear of social situations |
| Depression | Withdrawal from friends/family, loss of interest in activities, suicidal thoughts |
| Anxiety | Constant fear, paranoia, inability to trust others |
| Shame & Humiliation | Feeling worthless, embarrassed, like they “deserved it” |
| Substance Abuse | Self-medicating with drugs/alcohol to cope |
| Academic Struggles | Failing classes, dropping out, losing scholarships |
| Suicidal Ideation | Feeling like there’s “no way out” |
Hazing doesn’t build character. It breaks people.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Rabun County, Georgia?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible—not just the individuals who participated.
1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter
- Directly organized and carried out the hazing
- Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) can be personally sued
- Individual members who participated can be held liable
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization
- Failed to supervise the local chapter
- Knew about hazing risks but didn’t stop them
- Have deep pockets (insurance, assets) to pay damages
Example: In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing both the local chapter AND the national organization because they knew about the “hazing crisis” and did nothing to stop it.
3. The University or College
- Owns or controls the fraternity/sorority house (premises liability)
- Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior hazing incidents
- Ignored complaints about hazing
- Allowed dangerous conditions to exist on campus
Example: The University of Houston owns the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was waterboarded. They are being sued for failing to protect students.
4. Individual Members & Leaders
- Chapter President – Directed hazing activities
- Pledgemaster – Organized pledge events
- Active Members – Participated in hazing
- Former Members / Alumni – Allowed hazing at their homes
Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million for his role in hazing.
5. Insurance Companies
- Fraternity insurance policies often cover hazing incidents
- University insurance may apply
- Homeowner’s insurance (if hazing happened at a private residence)
Our team knows how to pursue these policies to maximize compensation for victims.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Lawsuit Worth?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. The amount depends on:
| Factor | How It Affects Case Value |
|---|---|
| Severity of Injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value |
| Psychological Trauma | PTSD, depression, anxiety = higher value |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing resulted in death, families can sue for millions |
| University’s Role | If the university knew and did nothing, they pay more |
| National Organization’s Role | If they failed to supervise, they pay more |
| Pattern of Abuse | If this has happened before at the same chapter, punitive damages apply |
| Egregious Conduct | Waterboarding, forced drinking, physical beatings = higher punitive damages |
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Proof That These Cases Win Big)
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | LSU | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | FSU | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Delta Chi | VCU | Settlement | $4+ Million |
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 Million Lawsuit (Pending) | $10 Million |
💡 The same results are possible for Rabun County families.
If your child was hazed at a Georgia college or university, we can pursue maximum compensation just like we’re doing in the Pi Kappa Phi case.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Rabun County, Georgia
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
📱 Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Screenshot and save everything
📸 Photos/Videos – Document injuries, hazing locations, any evidence of abuse
📝 Witness Information – Get names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
📄 Fraternity Documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules, emails
🏥 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 get you to sign documents that waive your rights
- They will twist your words to make it seem like your child “consented”
- They will destroy evidence if they think they can get away with it
⚠️ Only speak to them with your attorney present.
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations – If you wait, you lose your right to sue
- Evidence disappears fast – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, fraternities cover up
- Insurance companies will lowball you – They’ll offer a quick settlement that doesn’t cover your child’s injuries
Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Step 5: Report the Hazing to Authorities
- File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Georgia
- Report to the university’s Title IX office – They are required to investigate
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority – They may suspend the chapter
We can help you with all of this.
🏆 Why Rabun County Families Choose Attorney 911
We are not just any law firm. We are hazing litigation specialists with:
✅ 25+ Years of Trial Experience – We’ve won millions for injury victims
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know their playbook and how to beat them
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can sue national fraternities and universities anywhere in the U.S.
✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage for cases against out-of-state organizations
✅ Se Habla Español – We serve Spanish-speaking families in Rabun County
✅ Contingency Fee Representation – $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win.
We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- We have shut down the chapter that hazed our client
- We are holding individuals personally accountable
- We are forcing national organizations to change their culture
Rabun County families get the same aggressive representation.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
If your child was hazed in Rabun County, Georgia—or anywhere in the state—we can help.
📍 We serve Rabun County and all of Georgia
📍 Free, confidential consultation
📍 $0 upfront cost—we only get paid if we win
📍 We travel to Rabun County for depositions and meetings
Time is running out. Call now before evidence disappears and your legal rights expire.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
🔥 A Message to Rabun County Fraternities & Universities
To the fraternities operating near Rabun County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Phi Epsilon—
If your chapter operates near Rabun County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
To the universities near Rabun County:
The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now—or face the same accountability.
The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston?
SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in Georgia.
📢 Share This Page to Protect Other Rabun County Families
Hazing thrives in secrecy. Break the silence.
📤 Share this page with parents, students, and educators in Rabun County.
📢 Talk to your children about the dangers of hazing.
🚨 If you know of hazing happening in Rabun County, report it.
Together, we can stop hazing in Georgia.
⚖️ Rabun County Hazing Lawyers – Fighting for Justice
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Rabun County, Georgia and nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
Hazing is not tradition. It’s abuse. And we will hold you accountable.
