Hazing Injury Lawyers in Spring Lake, Georgia – Protecting Students & Families
Spring Lake Families: Your Child Deserves Justice
Hazing isn’t just “tradition” or “team bonding.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And when it causes serious injury—or worse—it’s illegal. If your child was hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Spring Lake, Georgia, you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against a fraternity and university for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to hold institutions accountable—and we’ll bring that same fight to Spring Lake.
🚨 Common Hazing Injuries We Handle:
✔ Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown from extreme exercise)
✔ Alcohol poisoning (forced binge drinking)
✔ Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings, falls, or paddling)
✔ Broken bones & internal injuries (from physical abuse)
✔ Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✔ Wrongful death (if hazing led to a fatality)
If your child suffered any of these injuries—or any harm from hazing—call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Spring Lake Families Choose Attorney 911
1️⃣ We’re Fighting Hazing Right Now – And Winning
We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with kidney failure. This isn’t just legal theory—we’re actively battling these cases in court.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—previously worked for insurance companies and national defense firms. We know how they try to deny, delay, and lowball claims. Now, we use that insider knowledge to fight for victims.
3️⃣ Nationwide Representation – We Come to You
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims anywhere in the U.S., including Spring Lake, Georgia. We offer:
✅ Free remote consultations (phone or video)
✅ Willingness to travel to Spring Lake for depositions, trials, and meetings
✅ Federal court authority (we can sue national fraternities in federal court)
4️⃣ No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This ensures Spring Lake families can fight back without financial stress.
5️⃣ Bilingual Support – Se Habla Español
We understand that hazing victims and families in Spring Lake may speak Spanish as a first language. Our team is bilingual, ensuring clear communication every step of the way.
What Constitutes Hazing in Georgia?
Georgia law defines hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. This includes:
🔴 Physical Abuse (paddling, beatings, forced exercise to exhaustion)
🔴 Forced Consumption (alcohol, food, or non-food substances)
🔴 Sleep Deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning demands)
🔴 Psychological Torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
🔴 Waterboarding or Simulated Drowning (as seen in our current case)
🔴 Sexual Abuse or Harassment (forced nudity, inappropriate touching)
Georgia’s Anti-Hazing Law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61):
- Hazing is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail)
- If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a felony (1-5 years in prison)
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if a student “agreed” to participate
Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Spring Lake?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held liable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc. |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise, ignored prior hazing incidents | Pi Kappa Phi National, SAE National |
| University/College | Owned the property, failed to prevent hazing | Georgia State, Georgia Tech, local colleges |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Chapter president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni or Former Members | Hosted hazing events at their homes | Premises liability for allowing abuse |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Homeowners, general liability, or fraternity insurance |
In our current case, we’re suing:
✅ The local chapter
✅ The national fraternity
✅ The university (which owned the fraternity house)
✅ Individual members (including the president and pledgemaster)
Real Hazing Cases – Real Results
💰 $10.1 Million Settlement (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- What happened: A student was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a hazing ritual and died from alcohol poisoning.
- Outcome: The university and fraternity paid $10.1 million in settlements.
- Why it matters: This case proves that fraternities and universities can be held financially accountable—even for non-fatal injuries.
💰 $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- What happened: A student was forced to drink excessive alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual and died with a BAC of 0.495 (more than 6x the legal limit).
- Outcome: The fraternity member responsible was criminally convicted, and the family won a $6.1 million jury verdict.
- Why it matters: Juries hate hazing and will award millions when institutions fail to protect students.
💰 $110+ Million Settlement (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
- What happened: A student was forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs multiple times, and fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.
- Outcome: The family settled for an estimated $110 million.
- Why it matters: When hazing leads to catastrophic injury or death, the financial consequences are massive.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Spring Lake
🚨 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Document everything—medical records are crucial evidence.
📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
- Write down witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing
🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
- Do not sign anything without consulting a lawyer.
- Do not give a statement to their insurance company.
📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- We offer free, confidential consultations—no obligation.
- We handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
- We preserve evidence before it disappears.
⏳ Step 5: Act Fast – Georgia’s Statute of Limitations
- Personal injury claims: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death claims: 2 years from the date of death
- If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
Spring Lake Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing victims often feel shame, fear, and isolation. Many worry about retaliation or being ostracized for speaking out. But you have the legal right to justice—and we will fight for you.
🔥 What We’ve Done for Other Hazing Victims:
✅ Shut down dangerous fraternity chapters (as we did in our current case)
✅ Forced universities to implement real hazing prevention policies
✅ Held individuals personally accountable (including chapter presidents)
✅ Recovered millions for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free consultation • No upfront costs • We come to you
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Spring Lake
❓ Can I sue if my child “consented” to hazing?
Yes. Georgia 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.
❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?
You can still sue. Hazing laws apply on or off campus, including at private residences, hotels, or other locations.
❓ What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?
It doesn’t matter. The national organization and individual members can still be sued for damages.
❓ Can I sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?
Yes. If the university should have known about hazing (due to prior incidents or complaints), they can be held liable for negligent supervision.
❓ How much is my hazing case worth?
Every case is different, but factors include:
✔ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✔ Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✔ University’s prior knowledge of hazing
✔ Fraternity’s history of hazing incidents
✔ Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million—and we’ve won millions for other hazing victims.
❓ What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
We understand. Many hazing victims fear social or academic retaliation. We can:
✅ Protect your identity in legal filings
✅ Pursue anonymous claims when possible
✅ Hold retaliators accountable under anti-retaliation laws
Spring Lake Hazing Lawyers – Fighting for Justice
Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse. If your child was injured or traumatized by hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization near Spring Lake, Georgia, we can help.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free consultation • No upfront costs • We come to you
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Spring Lake, Georgia & Nationwide
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
🔥 Don’t Wait – Your Child’s Future Depends on It
Every day you wait, evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire. Contact us now for a free, confidential case evaluation.
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com