# 🛡️ **Hazing Victims in Carroll County, Indiana: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help**
## **To Carroll County Families: This Happens Here Too**
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the Greek organizations. You trusted that institutions with deep roots in Indiana would protect your child.
But what if that trust was betrayed?
**Hazing happens at Indiana colleges and universities near Carroll County.** It happens at Purdue. It happens at Indiana University. It happens at smaller schools across the state. The same national fraternities that waterboarded a student in Texas operate chapters right here in Indiana. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Carroll County.
And if your child has been hazed, **you have legal rights.**
At **Attorney 911**, we are currently fighting a **$10 million lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a young man with **rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure**. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to **Carroll County families**.
—
## **🚨 The Hazing Crisis Is Closer Than You Think**
### **Hazing in Indiana: The Facts**
While Carroll County, Indiana, may be a small, tight-knit community where families know and trust each other, the reality is that **hazing is not limited by geography**. It thrives in environments where young people seek belonging, where institutions prioritize reputation over safety, and where “tradition” is used to justify abuse.
**Indiana has a documented history of hazing incidents:**
– **Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN):**
– In 2019, a Purdue student was hospitalized after a fraternity hazing incident involving forced alcohol consumption.
– The university suspended the fraternity, but the culture of hazing persists.
– Purdue is home to numerous Greek organizations, including chapters of **Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), and Phi Delta Theta** — the same fraternities involved in national hazing deaths and lawsuits.
– **Indiana University (Bloomington, IN):**
– In 2018, IU suspended multiple fraternities for hazing violations.
– In 2021, a student was hospitalized after a fraternity event, leading to the suspension of **Sigma Chi**.
– IU is one of the largest Greek systems in the country, with over **70 fraternities and sororities** — many of which have national organizations with documented hazing histories.
– **Ball State University (Muncie, IN):**
– In 2020, Ball State suspended a fraternity for hazing after a student reported being forced to consume alcohol and endure physical abuse.
– The university has faced repeated hazing violations, yet the problem continues.
– **University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN):**
– While Notre Dame has a reputation for strong academic and moral standards, even elite institutions are not immune to hazing.
– In 2017, Notre Dame suspended a fraternity for hazing violations, including forced alcohol consumption and physical abuse.
– **Smaller Indiana Colleges and Universities:**
– **Wabash College (Crawfordsville, IN):** A private liberal arts college with a strong Greek presence, Wabash has faced hazing allegations in the past.
– **DePauw University (Greencastle, IN):** DePauw has suspended multiple fraternities for hazing, including forced consumption of alcohol and physical abuse.
– **Butler University (Indianapolis, IN):** Butler has a significant Greek population, and hazing incidents have been reported in recent years.
– **Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN):** Valpo has faced hazing violations, including forced calisthenics and humiliation rituals.
**These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a nationwide pattern — one that includes Carroll County.**
—
### **The Same Fraternities Operate Near Carroll County**
The fraternities involved in high-profile hazing deaths and lawsuits across the country have active chapters at Indiana universities near Carroll County:
| **Fraternity** | **Notable Hazing Cases** | **Indiana Chapters** |
|—————-|————————–|———————-|
| **Pi Kappa Phi** | Andrew Coffey (2017, FSU) — Died from alcohol poisoning
Leonel Bermudez (2025, UH) — Hospitalized with kidney failure (our current case) | Purdue University, Indiana University, Ball State University |
| **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)** | Max Gruver (2017, LSU) — Died from alcohol poisoning; $6.1M jury verdict | Purdue University, Indiana University, Butler University |
| **Phi Delta Theta** | Stone Foltz (2021, BGSU) — Died from alcohol poisoning; $10.1M settlement | Purdue University, Indiana University, Ball State University |
| **Beta Theta Pi** | Timothy Piazza (2017, Penn State) — Died from traumatic brain injury; $110M+ settlement | Purdue University, Indiana University, DePauw University |
| **Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)** | Multiple hazing deaths and hospitalizations nationwide | Purdue University, Indiana University, Valparaiso University |
**These are not just names on a list. These are real organizations with chapters near Carroll County that have a history of putting students in danger.**
—
### **Why Hazing Happens in Indiana — And Why It’s Hard to Stop**
Hazing is not unique to Indiana, but several factors make it particularly insidious in the state:
1. **Strong Greek Life Culture:**
– Indiana universities have **large, influential Greek systems** with deep roots in campus culture.
– At Purdue, **nearly 20% of undergraduates** are involved in Greek life.
– At Indiana University, **over 7,000 students** are members of Greek organizations.
– Greek life is often tied to social status, networking, and leadership opportunities — making students more vulnerable to hazing pressures.
2. **Peer Pressure and Fear of Retaliation:**
– Students who are hazed often **fear social ostracism** if they speak out.
– They may worry about being **blacklisted** from future opportunities.
– Many victims **blame themselves**, thinking they “consented” to the activities.
3. **Institutional Failures:**
– Universities often **downplay or ignore** hazing reports to avoid bad publicity.
– Even when hazing is reported, **disciplinary actions are often weak or delayed**.
– Many universities **lack real oversight** of Greek organizations, relying on self-policing.
4. **The “Tradition” Excuse:**
– Fraternities and sororities often claim hazing is “tradition” or “how we build brotherhood/sisterhood.”
– This is a **dangerous myth**. Hazing is not tradition — it’s abuse.
– **Indiana law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense to hazing.**
—
## **⚠️ What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Carroll County**
### **The Case That Should Concern Every Indiana Parent**
In November 2025, our firm filed a **$10 million lawsuit** against **Pi Kappa Phi** and the **University of Houston** on behalf of **Leonel Bermudez**, a young man who was hospitalized with **severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure** after being hazed.
**Here’s what happened to him — and why it could happen to your child in Indiana:**
– **He wasn’t even a student yet.** Bermudez was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member who hadn’t yet enrolled at UH. He was expected to transfer for the Spring 2026 semester. **They hazed someone who wasn’t even in their school.**
– **Systematic abuse over weeks.** After accepting a bid in September 2025, Bermudez was subjected to **weeks of hazing**, including:
– **Waterboarding with a garden hose** (simulated drowning)
– **Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls** — until he collapsed
– **Struck with wooden paddles**
– **Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting**, then forced to keep running
– **Forced to strip to his underwear in cold weather**
– **Carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times**
– **Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour**
– **He collapsed from exhaustion.** On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to do **extreme physical exercises** until he **could not stand without help**. He **crawled up the stairs when he got home**.
– **His condition worsened over days.** The next day, he was “really sore and couldn’t really move.” The day after that, his condition was worse. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital.
– **He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.** Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the bloodstream. It can cause **acute kidney failure and death**. Bermudez spent **three nights and four days in the hospital**.
– **Pi Kappa Phi closed the chapter — but they’re already planning to come back.** The fraternity’s official statement said: *”We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”* **No apology. No remorse. Just planning their comeback.**
—
### **Why This Case Matters for Carroll County**
1. **The same fraternities operate near Carroll County.**
– Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at **Purdue University and Indiana University**.
– Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Phi Delta Theta, and Beta Theta Pi — all involved in hazing deaths — also have chapters in Indiana.
2. **The same “traditions” exist in Indiana.**
– Waterboarding, forced exercise, physical abuse — these are not isolated to Texas.
– Indiana fraternities engage in the same dangerous hazing rituals.
3. **Indiana universities face the same liability failures.**
– Purdue, IU, Ball State, and other Indiana schools have **prior hazing incidents** on record.
– They have the **same power to regulate Greek life** — and the same **failure to act**.
4. **Your child could be next.**
– If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Carroll County, they face the same risks.
– **Fraternities don’t stop hazing because of goodwill. They stop because of lawsuits.**
—
## **⚖️ Your Legal Rights as an Indiana Hazing Victim**
### **Indiana Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know**
Indiana has **strong anti-hazing laws** that protect students and hold perpetrators accountable. Here’s what you should know:
#### **1. Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2: Criminal Hazing**
**Definition of Hazing in Indiana:**
> *”Hazing” means forcing or requiring another person to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.*
**Key Points:**
– **Consent is NOT a defense.** Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter under Indiana law.
– **It applies to all groups** — fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, clubs, and more.
– **It applies on and off campus.**
**Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Indiana:**
| **Offense Level** | **Conduct** | **Penalty** |
|——————-|————-|————-|
| **Class B Misdemeanor** | Hazing that does not result in serious bodily injury | Up to 180 days in jail; up to $1,000 fine |
| **Class A Misdemeanor** | Hazing that results in **bodily injury** | Up to 1 year in jail; up to $5,000 fine |
| **Level 6 Felony** | Hazing that results in **serious bodily injury** | 6 months to 2.5 years in prison; up to $10,000 fine |
| **Level 5 Felony** | Hazing that results in **death** | 1 to 6 years in prison; up to $10,000 fine |
**What This Means for Carroll County Families:**
– If your child was hazed and suffered injuries, the perpetrators could face **criminal charges**.
– If the hazing resulted in **serious bodily injury** (like rhabdomyolysis or hospitalization), the penalty increases to a **felony**.
– **Universities and fraternities can also be held criminally liable** for failing to prevent hazing.
—
#### **2. Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages**
Even if criminal charges are filed, **you can also file a civil lawsuit** to recover compensation for:
– **Medical bills** (past, present, and future)
– **Pain and suffering** (physical and emotional)
– **Lost wages** (if your child missed work or internships)
– **Educational disruption** (tuition, scholarships, academic delays)
– **Punitive damages** (to punish egregious conduct)
**Who Can Be Sued in a Civil Hazing Case?**
| **Defendant** | **Why They’re Liable** |
|—————|————————|
| **Local Chapter** | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| **National Fraternity/Sorority** | Failed to supervise chapter; knew about hazing culture |
| **University/College** | Failed to protect students; premises liability if hazing occurred on campus |
| **Individual Members** | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| **Chapter Officers** | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| **Alumni** | Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| **Housing Corporations** | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
**Indiana universities have a LEGAL DUTY to protect students.** If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable.
—
#### **3. Title IX: Sexual Hazing and Gender-Based Abuse**
If the hazing involved **sexual abuse, harassment, or gender-based discrimination**, you may also have a **Title IX claim** against the university.
**Title IX protects students from:**
– Sexual assault
– Sexual harassment
– Gender-based humiliation
– Forced sexual acts
**Many hazing incidents include sexual components**, such as:
– Forced nudity
– Sexualized humiliation
– Carrying sexual objects
– Sexual assault
**If your child experienced sexual hazing, we can pursue a Title IX claim in addition to a civil lawsuit.**
—
## **💰 What Is Your Hazing Case Worth?**
Hazing cases can result in **significant financial compensation**, especially when institutions are involved. Here’s what recent cases have awarded:
| **Case** | **University** | **Fraternity** | **Outcome** | **Amount** |
|———-|—————-|—————-|————-|————|
| **Stone Foltz** | Bowling Green State (Ohio) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | **$10.1 million** |
| **Maxwell Gruver** | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | **$6.1 million** |
| **Timothy Piazza** | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | **$110+ million** (estimated) |
| **Andrew Coffey** | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| **Adam Oakes** | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | **$4+ million** |
**What This Means for Carroll County Families:**
– **$10 million is not an unreasonable demand.** It’s in line with recent hazing verdicts and settlements.
– **Universities and national fraternities have DEEP POCKETS.** They carry liability insurance with high policy limits.
– **Punitive damages are possible** if the conduct was particularly egregious (like waterboarding or forced exercise to the point of collapse).
—
## **📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Indiana**
If your child has been hazed, **time is critical**. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach quickly. Here’s what you should do **immediately**:
### **1. Seek Medical Attention**
– **Go to the emergency room or urgent care.** Even if your child seems “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately.
– **Document everything.** Get copies of all medical records, test results, and doctor’s notes.
– **Follow up with specialists.** If your child has ongoing symptoms (pain, anxiety, depression), see a specialist.
### **2. Preserve All Evidence**
– **Save all communications.** Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — take screenshots and save them.
– **Take photos and videos.** Document injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.).
– **Write down everything.** Have your child write a detailed account of what happened, including dates, times, locations, and names of perpetrators.
– **Get witness information.** If other students witnessed the hazing, get their names and contact information.
### **3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization**
– **Do not confront the fraternity/sorority leadership.**
– **Do not give statements to the university without legal counsel.**
– **Do not sign anything from the organization or their insurance company.**
– **Anything you say can be used against you.**
### **4. Report the Hazing (But Be Strategic)**
– **File a police report.** Hazing is a crime in Indiana.
– **Report to the university.** Many schools have online reporting systems.
– **File a Title IX complaint** if sexual abuse was involved.
– **BUT:** Do not do this alone. **Consult an attorney first** to ensure your rights are protected.
### **5. Contact an Attorney Immediately**
– **The statute of limitations in Indiana is 2 years** for personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue.
– **Evidence disappears quickly.** Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, universities “lose” records.
– **Insurance companies will try to lowball you.** They will offer a quick settlement — but it won’t be enough to cover your child’s injuries.
– **An attorney can protect your rights** and maximize your compensation.
—
## **🏢 Who We Are: Attorney 911 — Fighting for Carroll County Hazing Victims**
### **Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Carroll County Hazing Case?**
At Attorney 911, we are **not just personal injury lawyers — we are hazing litigation experts**. We are currently fighting a **$10 million lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we know how to win these cases. Here’s why Carroll County families choose us:
#### **1. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys**
– **Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena** both worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims.
– **We know their playbook.** We know how they try to minimize claims, delay cases, and deny responsibility.
– **We use that knowledge against them.** Every tactic they taught us to use against victims, we now use to dismantle their defenses.
#### **2. We Have Federal Court Authority**
– We are admitted to **U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas**, and have experience in federal litigation.
– This means we can pursue **federal claims** (like Title IX) in addition to state law claims.
– **We can represent Carroll County victims no matter where the hazing occurred.**
#### **3. We Are Dual-State Licensed (Texas and New York)**
– This gives us **strategic flexibility** for cases involving national fraternities headquartered outside Indiana.
– Many national fraternities are based in New York — we can pursue them there if needed.
#### **4. We Have a Proven Track Record in Multi-Million Dollar Cases**
– We have **litigated multi-million dollar cases**, including the **BP Texas City explosion litigation** (15 deaths, 180+ injuries).
– We have **secured significant settlements and verdicts** for victims of negligence.
– **We know how to build cases that win.**
#### **5. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now**
– Our **$10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH is active and ongoing**.
– We are **not just talking about hazing — we’re in the trenches fighting it**.
– We will bring that same **aggressive, experienced representation** to Carroll County families.
#### **6. We Travel to Carroll County**
– We have offices in **Houston, Austin, and Beaumont**, but we **travel to our clients**.
– We will come to Carroll County for **depositions, meetings, and trials**.
– **Distance is not a barrier to justice.**
#### **7. We Offer Free, Confidential Consultations**
– We will **evaluate your case at no cost** and explain your legal options.
– **No obligation.** If we take your case, we work on **contingency** — you pay **nothing upfront**.
– We only get paid if we win your case.
#### **8. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)**
– Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
– We have **bilingual staff** who can assist Spanish-speaking families.
– **No language barriers to justice.**
—
## **📞 How to Reach Us: Carroll County Families, We’re Here for You**
If your child has been hazed in Indiana, **you are not alone**. We are here to help.
**Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:**
📞 **1-888-ATTY-911**
📧 **ralph@atty911.com**
🌐 **attorney911.com**
**We will travel to Carroll County to meet with you. We will fight for your child. And we will hold every responsible party accountable.**
—
## **🔥 A Message to Indiana Fraternities: We Are Watching**
To the fraternities operating near Carroll County:
**We are watching.**
The same legal strategies that secured **$10 million verdicts nationwide** apply to your chapter.
**Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates in Indiana, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.**
We have **tracked your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your insurance policies**. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations’ hazing histories.
**If you haze students in Indiana, we will pursue every liable entity.**
We already shut down the **Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter** at the University of Houston. **Your chapter could be next.**
—
## **🎓 A Message to Indiana Universities: The Time to Act Is Now**
To the universities near Carroll County — Purdue, Indiana University, Ball State, and others:
**The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.**
You have the **power to stop hazing**. You have the **duty to protect students**. And you have the **liability when you fail**.
**Act now — or face the same accountability.**
—
## **💔 To Carroll County Families: Enough Is Enough**
To the parents, families, and victims of hazing in Carroll County:
**You are not powerless.**
**You are not alone.**
**And you do not have to accept “tradition” as an excuse for abuse.**
Hazing is not about brotherhood. It’s not about sisterhood. It’s not about building character.
**It’s about power. It’s about control. It’s about fear.**
And it ends when **we** — the parents, the victims, the attorneys — **stand up and say: Enough.**
If your child has been hazed, **we will fight for you**. We will fight for justice. We will fight for accountability. And we will fight to make sure this never happens to another Carroll County family.
**Call us. 1-888-ATTY-911.**
**The fight starts now.**
