Hazing in Toombs County: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

Toombs County Families: You Are Not Alone in the Fight Against Hazing

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Toombs County, Georgia, you may feel overwhelmed, angry, and unsure where to turn. Hazing is not “tradition” — it’s abuse. And in Toombs County and across Georgia, families have legal rights to hold those responsible accountable.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we bring that same aggressive representation to Toombs County families.

This guide explains:

• What constitutes hazing under Georgia law
• Who can be held liable for hazing in Toombs County
• The types of compensation available
• What to do if your child was hazed
• How Attorney 911 can help Toombs County victims

What Is Hazing? Georgia Law Explained

Georgia defines hazing in O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61, which prohibits any act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into any organization.

Examples of hazing include:

• Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or non-food substances
• Extreme physical punishment (pushups, squats, paddling, etc.)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Sexual assault or harassment
• Any activity that creates a risk of serious injury

Georgia law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Toombs County?

Hazing cases often involve multiple responsible parties, including:

In our current case, we are suing:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The university (which owned the fraternity house)
• Individual fraternity members
• A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing at their home)

Toombs County families can pursue the same accountability.

What Compensation Can Toombs County Families Seek?

Hazing victims may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Educational disruption (tuition refunds, scholarship loss)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and loss of reputation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

• Awarded when conduct is egregious (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption)
• Meant to punish the defendants and deter future hazing

Our current hazing case seeks $10 million — a figure supported by recent precedent cases where families received multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for hazing injuries and deaths.

Toombs County Hazing: Recent Cases Show the Danger Is Real

Hazing is not limited to large universities. It happens at colleges and universities near Toombs County, including:

• Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, GA)
• Valdosta State University (Valdosta, GA)
• University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
• Mercer University (Macon, GA)
• Savannah State University (Savannah, GA)

The same national fraternities implicated in our current case — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others — operate chapters at these schools.

Recent Georgia Hazing Incidents

• 2021: A Georgia Southern University student was hospitalized after a fraternity hazing incident involving forced alcohol consumption.
• 2022: A University of Georgia fraternity was suspended for hazing violations, including physical abuse and sleep deprivation.
• 2023: Valdosta State University suspended multiple Greek organizations for hazing, including forced calisthenics and alcohol consumption.

Toombs County families must know: Hazing is happening near you, and it can have devastating consequences.

What To Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Toombs County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Hazing injuries (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, physical trauma) can be life-threatening.
• Document everything — medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Photos/Videos: Document injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Texts/Social Media: Save all messages, GroupMe chats, or social media posts about hazing.
• Witnesses: Get names and contact information of other victims or witnesses.
• Fraternity Documents: Save any pledge manuals, schedules, or rules.

Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Fraternities/sororities will try to control the narrative.
• Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
• Do not give statements to university administrators or insurance companies.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

• Attorney 911 offers free consultations for Toombs County hazing victims.
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

Why Toombs County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. 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. This case involves:

• Waterboarding (simulated drowning)
• Forced exercise to the point of kidney failure
• Physical beatings with wooden paddles
• Weeks of systematic abuse

Toombs County families get the same aggressive representation we bring to this case.

2. We Know How to Win Hazing Cases

• Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their tactics and how to counter them.
• Federal court authority — we can pursue cases nationwide, including Toombs County.
• Proven results — we have secured millions for personal injury victims.

3. We Travel to Toombs County

• We offer remote consultations for Toombs County families.
• We travel to Toombs County for depositions, client meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs

• You pay nothing to hire us.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• No hourly fees — our fee is a percentage of your recovery.

Toombs County Hazing: Frequently Asked Questions

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 perpetrators can still be held liable.

Can I sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If the university failed to implement adequate oversight of Greek life, they may be liable — even if they didn’t know about the specific incident.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Georgia?

Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the injury. Do not wait — evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

What if my child was hazed at a school outside Toombs County?

We represent hazing victims nationwide, including those from Toombs County who were hazed at schools across Georgia and the U.S. Our federal court authority allows us to pursue cases anywhere.

What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We protect our clients from retaliation. Many hazing victims fear speaking out, but we ensure their voices are heard safely and confidentially.

Toombs County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing is not a rite of passage — it’s abuse. If your child was hazed at a college or university near Toombs County, you have the right to seek justice and compensation.

Contact Attorney 911 Today

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Free Consultation: Available for Toombs County families

We fight for Toombs County victims with the same intensity we bring to our $10 million hazing case. Let us fight for you.

Toombs County Hazing Resources

• Georgia Hazing Hotline: 1-800-282-5808
• Georgia Southern University Hazing Policy: https://students.georgiasouthern.edu/hazing/
• University of Georgia Hazing Policy: https://greeklife.uga.edu/hazing/

You are not alone. We are here to help.