🛡️ Hazing Victims in Wilkes County, Georgia: Your Rights and How We Can Help
Attorney 911: Fighting for Hazing Victims Nationwide – Including Wilkes County
🚨 Hazing Happens in Wilkes County Too – And It’s Not Just “Tradition”
Wilkes County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But the truth is, hazing happens at universities near Wilkes County – and it’s not harmless fun. It’s abuse. It’s assault. And it can leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate near Wilkes County. The same universities fail to protect students. And Wilkes County families deserve the same aggressive legal representation we’re bringing to this landmark case.
🏥 What Hazing Looks Like in Wilkes County
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s often torture disguised as tradition. In our current case, we’ve documented:
- Waterboarding – Simulated drowning with a garden hose
- Forced eating – Consuming milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Extreme physical punishment – 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls
- Wooden paddles – Being struck with weapons
- Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive members during early morning hours
- Psychological torture – Humiliation, threats of expulsion, carrying sexual objects
This doesn’t just happen in Houston. It happens at universities near Wilkes County too.
📚 Universities Near Wilkes County Where Hazing Occurs
Wilkes County is home to dedicated students who attend colleges throughout Georgia and beyond. Some of the institutions where hazing commonly occurs include:
Major Universities Near Wilkes County:
- University of Georgia (Athens, GA) – Home to numerous fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA) – Greek life presence with hazing risks
- Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) – Active Greek organizations
- Augusta University (Augusta, GA) – Growing Greek life community
- Mercer University (Macon, GA) – Private university with Greek organizations
- Emory University (Atlanta, GA) – Prestigious institution with Greek life
- Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, GA) – Large Greek system
- Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, GA) – Active fraternity and sorority presence
Fraternities Operating Near Wilkes County:
The same national fraternities involved in our $10 million lawsuit have chapters at universities near Wilkes County:
| Fraternity | Known Hazing Incidents | Universities Near Wilkes County With Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (death, 2017), Leonel Bermudez (kidney failure, 2025) | University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple hazing deaths nationally | University of Georgia, Georgia Southern |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz ($10M verdict, 2021) | University of Georgia, Georgia Tech |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza ($110M settlement, 2017) | University of Georgia |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver ($6.1M verdict, 2017) | University of Georgia, Georgia Tech |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple hazing cases | University of Georgia, Georgia State |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple hazing deaths | University of Georgia, Georgia Southern |
These aren’t just names on a list. These are organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing. And they have chapters near Wilkes County.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Wilkes County Hazing Victim
1. Hazing Is Illegal in Georgia
Georgia has strict anti-hazing laws. It is a crime to haze students, and consent is not a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Georgia Hazing Law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61):
- Hazing is a misdemeanor that can result in jail time and fines
- If hazing causes serious bodily harm, it’s a felony
- Organizations can be fined and lose recognition
2. You Can Sue for Money Damages
Hazing victims in Wilkes County can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills – Hospital stays, surgeries, therapy
- Future medical care – Ongoing treatment for injuries
- Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships
- Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional trauma
- Mental anguish – PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Punitive damages – To punish the wrongdoers and prevent future hazing
Our current hazing case seeks $10 million. Wilkes County victims deserve the same level of compensation.
3. Multiple Parties Can Be Held Responsible
In hazing cases, more than just the individuals can be held liable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Responsible |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies |
| University | Failed to protect students, knew about hazing risks |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility for hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes or businesses |
Wilkes County families: We will pursue every responsible party to maximize your compensation.
💰 What Your Wilkes County Hazing Case Could Be Worth
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what similar cases have received:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death | $6.1 million verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death | Confidential settlement |
| Our Current Case | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Hospitalization | $10 million sought |
Wilkes County families: If your child was hazed, injured, or killed, you may be entitled to millions in compensation.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Wilkes County
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis from extreme exercise) may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records are crucial evidence
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Do NOT delete any text messages, social media posts, or emails about hazing
- Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Save physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative
- They may offer “apologies” or “settlements” that waive your legal rights
- Anything you say can be used against you
4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- No upfront fees – We work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Wilkes County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: Hazing victims often stay silent due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization. This is normal, but it’s dangerous. Hazing can escalate and harm others. We can help protect your child’s identity while pursuing justice.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. Georgia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. The organization is still liable.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. We can pursue the fraternity, its members, and even alumni who allowed hazing at their homes.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a university outside Georgia?
A: We can still help. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. Our federal court authority and willingness to travel mean we can pursue cases anywhere in the country.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. Do not wait – evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
Q: My child was hazed but wasn’t seriously injured. Is it still worth pursuing?
A: Yes. Even “minor” hazing can cause lasting psychological harm. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are real injuries that deserve compensation. We’ve helped victims recover for emotional trauma even without hospitalization.
Q: Can we afford a lawyer?
A: Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
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