🛡️ Hazing Victim Legal Rights & Resources for Greene County Families
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We
Greene County families: If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Greene County, you are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “brotherhood.” It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.
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. We know how to win. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Greene County families.
This guide explains:
- What hazing looks like
- Your legal rights in Indiana
- Who is liable
- What compensation is possible
- What to do if your child has been hazed
🚨 What Is Hazing? Indiana’s Legal Definition
Indiana law defines hazing as forcing or coercing someone to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of physical injury for the purpose of initiation, admission, or continued membership in any organization.
Hazing includes:
- Physical abuse (paddling, beating, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, drugs)
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats)
- Sexual abuse or assault
- Dangerous activities (waterboarding, extreme weather exposure)
- Any activity that causes physical or emotional harm
Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing results in serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison.
Most importantly: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
🎓 Hazing at Indiana Colleges Near Greene County
Greene County is home to strong community values and close-knit families. But just beyond our borders, Indiana’s universities have active Greek life organizations — and where there’s Greek life, there’s hazing.
Universities near Greene County with Greek organizations:
| University | Location | Distance from Greene County | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | ~30 miles | 70+ fraternities and sororities |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | ~45 miles | 20+ fraternities and sororities |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | ~100 miles | 10+ fraternities and sororities |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | ~120 miles | 50+ fraternities and sororities |
| Butler University | Indianapolis, IN | ~110 miles | 15+ fraternities and sororities |
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi — have active chapters at these universities.
If your child attends or plans to attend college near Greene County, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Greene County Hazing Victim
1. Right to Sue for Damages
You can file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless conduct)
Precedent: Hazing lawsuits have resulted in millions of dollars in compensation for victims and families.
2. Right to Hold Multiple Parties Liable
You can sue:
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter (the students who did it)
- The national organization (they often have deep pockets and insurance)
- The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
- Individual members (including officers and alumni who participated)
3. Right to File a Police Report
Hazing is a crime in Indiana. You can report it to:
- Local police
- Campus police
- Indiana State Police
We can help you navigate this process.
4. Right to Report to the University
Indiana universities are required to investigate hazing reports. You can file a complaint with:
- The university’s Title IX office
- The Dean of Students
- The Greek Life office
We can help ensure your report is taken seriously.
💰 What Compensation Is Possible for Greene County Families?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, especially when:
- The victim was hospitalized
- The university or national organization was negligent
- There is evidence of a pattern of abuse
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
Our current case: We are seeking $10 million for a hazing victim hospitalized with kidney failure.
Greene County families: These same results are possible for your child.
🏢 Who Is Liable for Hazing Near Greene County?
1. The Local Chapter
- The students who organized and participated in hazing
- The chapter officers who allowed it to happen
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority
- Failed to supervise the local chapter
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks
- Often have millions in assets and insurance
3. The University
- If they owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
- If they knew or should have known about hazing
- If they failed to implement effective oversight
4. Individual Members
- Anyone who participated in hazing
- Anyone who witnessed and failed to stop it
- Officers and alumni who enabled the culture
🔍 How to Recognize Hazing
Hazing is often hidden behind words like “tradition” or “initiation.” But these are warning signs:
| Sign | What It Might Look Like |
|---|---|
| Physical abuse | Paddling, hitting, forced exercise to exhaustion |
| Forced consumption | Being forced to drink alcohol, eat food, or consume drugs |
| Sleep deprivation | Being kept up all night, forced to attend late-night events |
| Humiliation | Being forced to wear embarrassing clothing or carry objects |
| Isolation | Being cut off from friends or family |
| Dangerous activities | Waterboarding, extreme weather exposure, blindfolded tasks |
| Sexual abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects |
| Financial exploitation | Being forced to pay for events or items |
If your child is experiencing any of these, it may be hazing.
📞 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Greene County
Step 1: Ensure Their Safety
- Remove them from the dangerous situation
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if they say they’re “fine”
- Document all injuries with photos
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Save all text messages, social media posts, and emails about hazing
- Take screenshots of GroupMe, Snapchat, or other group chats
- Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, locations, participants)
- Save medical records and bills
Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization
- Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without legal counsel
- Do not sign anything from the organization
- Do not post about the incident on social media
Step 4: Contact an Attorney
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free, confidential consultations
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
Step 5: Report the Incident
- File a police report with local law enforcement
- Report to the university’s Title IX office or Dean of Students
- We can help you navigate this process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Greene County Families
Q: My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Indiana law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still liable.
Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that legal?
A: No. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Hazing is against Indiana law, university policy, and fraternity/sorority policy. No amount of tradition makes it acceptable.
Q: We’re worried about retaliation. What can we do?
A: We understand your concern. Many hazing victims fear retribution. We can:
- File the lawsuit anonymously in some cases
- Take steps to protect your child’s identity
- Hold the organization accountable for any retaliation
Q: How much will this cost us?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we win your case. There are no hourly fees or retainers.
Q: We don’t live in Houston. Can you still help us?
A: Absolutely. While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We can:
- Offer video consultations for Greene County families
- Travel to Greene County for depositions and meetings
- Handle your case remotely with the same level of care
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Indiana 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.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Greene County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
We are not just talking about hazing — we are actively litigating a hazing case right now. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how the other side thinks, and we use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.
3. Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, which allows us to pursue cases against national organizations no matter where they are headquartered.
4. Dual-State Bar Licenses
We are licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic flexibility in pursuing national fraternities and sororities.
5. Proven Track Record
We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims. Our case results include:
- Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death cases
- Significant recoveries in catastrophic injury cases
- Successful outcomes in complex litigation against large institutions
6. We Speak Spanish
Se habla español. We can serve Spanish-speaking families in Greene County without language barriers.
7. We Travel to Greene County
We are committed to serving Greene County families. We will:
- Offer video consultations so you don’t have to travel
- Come to Greene County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Handle your case with the same care as our local clients
8. We Care About Our Clients
We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the trauma hazing causes, and we are committed to helping your family heal and find justice.
📞 Greene County Families: Contact Us Today
If your child has been hazed, call us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
Greene County hazing victims deserve justice. We are here to fight for you.
📌 Additional Resources for Greene County Families
Indiana Hazing Laws:
National Hazing Prevention Resources:
Mental Health Support:
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Indiana 211 — Mental Health Resources
🔥 A Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Greene County
To the chapters operating near Greene County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Greene County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters near Greene County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
Universities near Greene County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
To Greek life leadership at Greene County-area institutions: The case we’re fighting right now is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
🏆 We Are Fighting for Greene County Families
Greene County values hard work, integrity, and community. Hazing violates all of these values.
We are committed to protecting Greene County families from the trauma of hazing. We will fight for your child’s rights, hold the responsible parties accountable, and work to ensure this never happens to another Greene County family.
Call us today. The fight for justice starts now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com