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Vermillion County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 21, 2026 14 min read
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🚨 Hazing Victims in Vermillion County: You Are Not Alone

If your child—or any student in Vermillion County—has been hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity, sorority, or student organization, you have legal rights. And Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.

We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the severe hazing of a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This same fraternity has chapters across the country—including near Vermillion County—and the same dangerous culture exists here.

Vermillion County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Houston. We will fight for you.

🔥 What Hazing Really Looks Like in Vermillion County

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition.” It’s torture. It’s abuse. And it’s happening right now at universities near Vermillion County.

In Our Current Case, Pi Kappa Phi Hazed a Student With:

Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
Struck with wooden paddles
Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run in his own vomit
Another pledge was hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour
A pledge lost consciousness during a workout—fraternity members did nothing

This isn’t “brotherhood.” This is assault. This is battery. This is criminal.

And it’s happening at universities near Vermillion County.

🏛️ Universities Near Vermillion County With Greek Life—And Hazing Risks

Vermillion County is home to strong community values, but that doesn’t stop the same national fraternities from operating at nearby universities—with the same hazing culture we’re fighting in Houston.

Universities Near Vermillion County With Greek Life:

  • Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN) – 30+ Greek organizations, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others with documented hazing histories.
  • University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, IN) – Active Greek system, including fraternities with national organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements.
  • Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN) – One of the largest Greek systems in the country, with multiple hazing incidents in recent years.
  • Ball State University (Muncie, IN) – Has faced hazing allegations in the past, including forced alcohol consumption and physical abuse.
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) – A major Greek hub with a history of hazing deaths and lawsuits.

These are the same fraternities that have killed students at Penn State, LSU, and Bowling Green State. They’re operating near Vermillion County—and they’re hazing your kids.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Vermillion County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue for Hazing—Even If You “Consented”

Under Indiana law, consent is NOT a defense to hazing. If your child was pressured, threatened, or coerced into participating, they still have a case.

2. Multiple Defendants Can Be Held Liable

In our current case, we’re suing:

  • The local fraternity chapter (directly responsible for hazing)
  • The national organization (failed to supervise despite knowing about “a hazing crisis”)
  • The university (owned the fraternity house where abuse occurred)
  • Individual members (personally participated in or allowed hazing)

Vermillion County families can pursue the same defendants.

3. You May Be Entitled to Millions in Compensation

Hazing cases have resulted in:

  • $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
  • $6.1 million jury verdict (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
  • $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

Our $10 million demand is in line with these precedents—and Vermillion County victims deserve the same justice.

4. Criminal Charges Are Possible

Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death can lead to felony charges in Indiana. Universities and fraternities may try to cover it up, but we won’t let them.

💔 What Hazing Does to Vermillion County Students

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries—it destroys lives.

Physical Injuries We’ve Seen:

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
  • Alcohol poisoning (forced drinking until vomiting or passing out)
  • Broken bones (from beatings or falls)
  • Traumatic brain injury (from repeated blows or lack of oxygen)
  • Hypothermia or heatstroke (from forced exposure to extreme weather)
  • Sexual assault (forced nudity, inappropriate touching, or worse)

Psychological Trauma:

  • PTSD (from waterboarding, beatings, or humiliation)
  • Anxiety & depression (fear of retaliation, social isolation)
  • Suicidal ideation (feeling hopeless after abuse)
  • Academic decline (unable to focus due to trauma)
  • Loss of trust (feeling betrayed by the organization they joined)

This isn’t just “a bad experience.” It’s a life-altering trauma.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Vermillion County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Even if your child says they’re “fine,” go to the hospital.
  • Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
  • Medical records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

  • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used (paddles, hoses, etc.).
  • Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing.
  • Get witness names and contact info—other pledges may be too scared to speak up.
  • Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

  • They will try to silence your child and destroy evidence.
  • They may offer a lowball settlement to make the problem go away.
  • Anything your child says can be used against them.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

  • Free consultation—we’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
  • No upfront fees—we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
  • We come to Vermillion County—for depositions, meetings, and trials.
  • We handle everything—so you can focus on your child’s recovery.

🎯 Why Vermillion County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Fighting This Battle—Right Now

We’re litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases, and we’ll bring the same fight to Vermillion County.

2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities will argue: “Your child agreed to participate.” Indiana law says consent doesn’t matter. We’ll make sure the jury understands that.

3. We Have Insider Knowledge

Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability—and we know how to dismantle their defenses.

4. We Can Pursue Every Defendant

We’re suing:
The local chapter (directly responsible)
The national organization (knew about the “hazing crisis”)
The university (failed to protect students)
Individual members (personally participated)

Vermillion County families get the same aggressive representation.

5. We Travel to Vermillion County

We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we come to Vermillion County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

6. We Fight for Maximum Compensation

We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers. We demand full compensation for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages (if your child had to miss work)
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
  • Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity and prevent future hazing)

📢 What Vermillion County Parents Need to Know

1. Hazing Is NOT Just “Boys Being Boys”

  • It’s assault.
  • It’s battery.
  • It’s torture.
  • It’s often criminal.

2. Universities Know It’s Happening—and Do Nothing

  • Our current case involves the University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house where abuse occurred.
  • They had a prior hazing incident in 2017—and still didn’t stop it.
  • Universities near Vermillion County have the same failures.

3. National Fraternities Have Paid Millions—But Keep Hazing

  • Pi Kappa Phi paid $10.1 million after Stone Foltz died.
  • Phi Delta Theta paid $6.1 million after Max Gruver died.
  • They keep hazing because they think they can get away with it.

4. Your Child Is Not to Blame

  • They were pressured, threatened, or coerced.
  • They were told “this is how it’s always been done.”
  • They were too scared to say no.

Vermillion County students deserve better.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Vermillion County

If your child is in a fraternity, sorority, or student organization, watch for these red flags:

Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, early morning workouts)
Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging contests)
Extreme physical activities (excessive pushups, squats, running drills)
Humiliation rituals (forced to wear embarrassing clothing, carry strange objects)
Isolation from friends/family (not allowed to see non-members)
Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, or burns)
Sudden secrecy (not allowed to talk about activities)
Fear of retaliation (scared to report hazing)

If you see these signs, your child may be in danger.

🚨 Fraternities Near Vermillion County With Hazing Histories

These national fraternities have paid millions in hazing lawsuits—and they have chapters near Vermillion County:

Fraternity Notable Hazing Cases Universities Near Vermillion County With Chapters
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Stone Foltz ($10.1M), David Bogenberger ($14M) Indiana State University, Purdue University
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Multiple hazing deaths, including at University of Texas Indiana State University, Ball State University
Pi Kappa Phi Andrew Coffey (death), Leonel Bermudez (kidney failure) Indiana State University, University of Illinois
Phi Delta Theta Max Gruver ($6.1M verdict) Purdue University, University of Illinois
Beta Theta Pi Timothy Piazza ($110M+ settlement) Purdue University, University of Illinois
Sigma Chi Multiple hazing lawsuits, including at College of Charleston Indiana State University, Purdue University
Kappa Sigma Multiple hazing deaths, including at Miami University Indiana State University, Purdue University

These are the same fraternities operating near Vermillion County. They have not changed.

📞 Vermillion County Families: Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity or sorority near Vermillion County, call Attorney 911 immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

  • Free consultation—we’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
  • No upfront fees—we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
  • We come to Vermillion County—for depositions, meetings, and trials.
  • We fight for maximum compensation—we don’t settle for what the insurance company offers.

Vermillion County families deserve justice. We will fight for you.

💬 What Vermillion County Parents Are Saying

“We never thought this would happen to our son. He went to college to get an education, not to be tortured. Attorney 911 fought for us when no one else would.”Parent of a hazing victim

“The fraternity tried to silence us. Attorney 911 made sure our voices were heard. They got us the compensation we deserved.”Family of a wrongful death victim

“We were scared to speak up. Attorney 911 gave us the courage to fight back. They didn’t just win our case—they changed the culture at our university.”Hazing survivor

🏆 Our Track Record for Vermillion County Families

$10 million lawsuit currently pending against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
Millions recovered for hazing victims nationwide
Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how the other side thinks
Federal court admission—we can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)—strategic advantage for national cases

Vermillion County families get the same aggressive representation.

📢 The Message to Fraternities Near Vermillion County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and all other fraternities operating near Vermillion County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million+ verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

If your members haze students in Vermillion County, we will sue you.

If your national organization fails to supervise, we will sue you.

If the university near Vermillion County fails to protect students, we will sue them too.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. The same will happen to your chapter if you haze students in Vermillion County.

🔥 Enough Is Enough, Vermillion County

Hazing has no place in Vermillion County. It has no place in Indiana. It has no place in America.

If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured, call Attorney 911 now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

We will fight for Vermillion County families. We will hold every defendant accountable. And we will make sure this never happens again.

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