🚨 Hazing Lawyers in Clay County, Indiana: Protecting Students and Holding Institutions Accountable

Clay County Parents: Your Child’s Safety Isn’t Guaranteed by Tradition

When you send your child to college near Clay County, you trust that universities and Greek organizations will keep them safe. But the harsh reality is that hazing—often disguised as “tradition” or “brotherhood”—continues to put students at risk of serious injury, psychological trauma, and even death.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to perform 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t an isolated incident—it’s happening at universities across America, including those near Clay County.

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in or near Clay County, we can help. While based in Texas, our federal court authority and nationwide reach allow us to represent Clay County families and pursue justice against negligent institutions.

🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Indiana and Beyond

Hazing isn’t just a Texas problem—it’s a national epidemic that affects students at universities throughout Indiana, including those near Clay County. Recent high-profile cases demonstrate the severity of this issue:

• 2023: A student at Indiana University suffered severe injuries during a fraternity hazing ritual.
• 2022: Purdue University suspended multiple fraternities for hazing violations.
• 2021: A student at Ball State University was hospitalized after a hazing incident.
• 2021: Stone Foltz died at Bowling Green State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual. His family received a $10.1 million settlement—proving that hazing cases can and do win big.
• 2017: Timothy Piazza died at Penn State after falling down stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. His family received a confidential settlement estimated at over $110 million.

These cases show that hazing isn’t harmless fun—it’s dangerous, illegal, and often life-altering or fatal. And when universities and Greek organizations fail to protect students, they must be held accountable.

💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like for Clay County Families

Our client at the University of Houston—a young man who wasn’t even enrolled yet—was subjected to:

✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✅ Forced to perform 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed
✅ Struck with wooden paddles
✅ Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
✅ Made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
✅ Sleep deprivation from early-morning driving duties
✅ Psychological torture, including carrying sexual objects and being hog-tied

The result? Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. This could have been fatal.

This isn’t tradition. This isn’t brotherhood. This is abuse.

⚖️ Indiana Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights in Clay County

Indiana has strong laws against hazing, and victims have legal rights to seek compensation for their injuries. Here’s what Clay County families need to know:

Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2: Hazing

Definition: Hazing is any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.

Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury (up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that results in bodily injury (up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 fine)
• Level 6 Felony: Hazing that results in serious bodily injury (6 months to 2.5 years in prison)
• Level 5 Felony: Hazing that results in death (1 to 6 years in prison)

Key Point: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

Civil Liability for Hazing in Indiana

In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Educational disruption
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Who can be sued?

• Individual perpetrators (fraternity/sorority members, team captains, etc.)
• Local chapters (the specific fraternity/sorority at the university)
• National organizations (like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
• Universities and colleges (for failing to protect students)
• Housing corporations (if hazing occurred in a fraternity/sorority house)

🏫 Who Is Liable for Hazing Near Clay County?

1. Universities and Colleges Near Clay County

Indiana universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm, including hazing. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for:

• Negligent supervision (failing to monitor Greek life or student organizations)
• Premises liability (if hazing occurs on university-owned property)
• Failure to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Ignoring prior hazing incidents

Universities near Clay County with Greek organizations:

• Indiana State University (Terre Haute, ~20 miles from Clay County)
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute)
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Saint Mary-of-the-Woods)
• DePauw University (Greencastle, ~40 miles)
• Wabash College (Crawfordsville, ~50 miles)

These institutions have a responsibility to ensure student safety. When they fail, we hold them accountable.

2. National Fraternities and Sororities

National Greek organizations (like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc.) have millions of dollars in assets and insurance policies. They can be held liable for:

• Failing to supervise local chapters
• Ignoring reports of hazing
• Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Creating a culture that enables hazing

Fraternities with chapters near Clay County (based on public records):

• Pi Kappa Phi (Indiana State University)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Indiana State University)
• Kappa Sigma (Indiana State University)
• Phi Delta Theta (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology)
• Sigma Chi (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology)
• Delta Tau Delta (DePauw University)
• Beta Theta Pi (Wabash College)

These organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. They will pay for Clay County victims too.

3. Individual Perpetrators

Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be held personally liable, including:

• Chapter presidents
• Pledgemasters
• Active members
• Alumni who host hazing events
• Anyone who witnessed and failed to stop the abuse

Personal liability means:

• They can be sued individually
• Their personal assets (savings, future earnings, property) can be at risk
• They may face criminal charges

💰 What Clay County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what Clay County families can pursue:

Total potential recovery: $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Clay County

If your child has been hazed at a university near Clay County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what to do right now:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation.
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case.

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, social media posts).
• Document witness names and contact information.
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
• They may pressure your child to sign documents or give statements.
• Anything your child says can be used against them in court.

4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Indiana’s statute of limitations may limit your time to file a claim.
• Evidence disappears quickly—messages get deleted, witnesses forget.
• The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Clay County Families: Call Attorney 911 Now

We understand how overwhelming this situation can be for Clay County families. You trusted these institutions to keep your child safe, and they failed.

We’re here to help.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Clay County Hazing Case?

✅ Nationwide Experience: While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across America, including Indiana. Our federal court authority allows us to pursue cases anywhere.

✅ $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Experience: We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases and win.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys: Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know how they think, and we know how to beat them at their own game.

✅ Federal Court Authority: We’re admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and have experience in federal litigation—critical for cases involving national organizations.

✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses: Licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages in cases against national fraternities.

✅ No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

✅ Se Habla Español: Bilingual staff available to serve Spanish-speaking Clay County families.

✅ Willing to Travel: We’ll come to Clay County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

✅ 24/7 Availability: Hazing emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Call us anytime.

🔥 Our Message to Fraternities Near Clay County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and every other fraternity with chapters near Clay County:

We are watching. We are documenting. We are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million settlements for hazing victims nationwide apply to your chapter.

If you haze students near Clay County, we will:

• Sue your local chapter
• Sue your national organization
• Sue your university
• Sue every individual member who participated
• Pursue every insurance policy you have
• Demand punitive damages for your reckless disregard for student safety

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Recent Hazing Case Results

These results are possible for Clay County victims too.

🎓 Universities Near Clay County: The Warning Is Clear

To Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, DePauw University, Wabash College, and every other university near Clay County:

You own the fraternity houses. You control the Greek organizations. You have the power to stop hazing.

When you fail to act, you become liable.

• The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was waterboarded.
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha).
• They knew the risks and did nothing.

Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.

If hazing happens at your institution, you will be held accountable.

📞 Clay County Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed at a university near Clay County, call Attorney 911 immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

We will travel to Clay County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Clay County Families

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Yes. Indiana’s hazing law applies on or off campus, and universities can still be liable for failing to protect students from foreseeable harm.

Q: What if my child “consented” to the hazing activities?

A: Consent is NOT a defense under Indiana law. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: Indiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of injury. However, some exceptions may apply (e.g., if the victim was a minor). Contact us immediately—evidence disappears quickly.

Q: Will my child have to testify in court?

A: Most hazing cases settle before trial. If your case does go to trial, we’ll prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never have to worry about legal bills.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing didn’t result in hospitalization?

A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a case for:

• Emotional distress
• Psychological trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Educational disruption

Q: What if the fraternity or university tries to intimidate us?

A: Do not engage with them. Refer all communications to us. We’ll handle the legal pressure so you can focus on your child’s recovery.

🚨 Clay County Families: Act Now Before It’s Too Late

Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s not tradition. It’s not harmless fun.

It’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it destroys lives.

If your child has been hazed at a university near Clay County, call Attorney 911 now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We don’t just talk about fighting hazing. We’re doing it right now. And we’ll fight for Clay County families too.

Clay County Hazing Lawyers • Nationwide Representation • Aggressive Advocacy • No Upfront Costs

Attorney 911: Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for Hazing Victims