🛡️ Hazing Victims in Warrick County, Indiana: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Hazing is Not Tradition — It’s Abuse. And It’s Illegal in Indiana.
Warrick County families send their children to college expecting them to grow, learn, and be safe. But for too many students at universities near Warrick County — including University of Southern Indiana (USI), Ivy Tech Community College, and nearby institutions — the reality of Greek life and student organizations includes dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes life-threatening hazing rituals.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from forced waterboarding, 500 squats, and physical abuse. We know how to fight these cases — and we can fight for Warrick County victims too.
If your child has been hazed in Warrick County or at a nearby university, you have legal rights. And we can help.
📍 Hazing Happens Near Warrick County, Indiana — And It’s Not Just Fraternities
While Warrick County itself is home to smaller community colleges and technical programs, many local students attend larger universities in nearby cities where Greek life and student organizations thrive:
🏫 Universities Near Warrick County with Active Greek Life:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations Present | Hazing Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) | Evansville, IN (~20 min from Warrick County) | Yes — multiple fraternities and sororities | Moderate to High |
| University of Evansville (UE) | Evansville, IN (~25 min from Warrick County) | Yes — strong Greek presence | High |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Evansville Campus) | Evansville, IN | Limited, but clubs and honor societies exist | Low to Moderate |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) | Bowling Green, KY (~1.5 hours) | Yes — very active Greek system | High |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN (~3 hours) | Yes — elite Greek system | High |
| Indiana University (IU Bloomington) | Bloomington, IN (~3.5 hours) | Yes — largest Greek system in Indiana | Very High |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN (~3.5 hours) | Yes — strong Greek presence | High |
🔴 The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide — including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others — have active chapters at universities near Warrick County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in the region, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
⚠️ What Is Hazing? Indiana Law Explained
Indiana has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. Under 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.
Indiana’s Legal Definition of Hazing (IC 35-42-2-2):
A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to a student as part of an initiation or affiliation with a school organization commits hazing.
This includes:
- Physical abuse (paddling, beating, excessive exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Psychological abuse (humiliation, sleep deprivation)
- Dangerous activities (waterboarding, exposure to elements)
- Any activity that creates a substantial risk of injury
⚠️ Important: In Indiana, CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE.
Even if a student “agrees” to participate, the person who organizes or participates in hazing can still be criminally charged and civilly liable.
💔 Real Hazing Incidents That Could Happen Near Warrick County
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter.
🔴 Case 1: Waterboarding — The Same Torture Used at UH
- What Happened: Pledges were sprayed in the face with a garden hose while doing calisthenics.
- Medical Result: One student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats.
- Location: University of Houston — but the same fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi) has chapters near Warrick County, including at USI and WKU.
- Legal Outcome: $10 million lawsuit filed by Attorney 911.
🔴 Case 2: Forced Alcohol Poisoning — Death at Bowling Green State University (Ohio)
- Victim: Stone Foltz, 20
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
- What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big Brother Night.”
- Result: Died from alcohol poisoning.
- Legal Outcome: $10.1 million settlement — university and fraternity paid.
🔴 Case 3: Extreme Physical Abuse — LSU Student Dies
- Victim: Maxwell Gruver, 18
- Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
- What Happened: Forced to drink during “Bible Study” — wrong answer = drink more.
- Result: Blood alcohol level 0.495 (6x legal limit) — died from acute alcohol poisoning.
- Legal Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict — fraternity member convicted of negligent homicide.
🔴 Case 4: Penn State — 12-Hour Delay Before Calling 911
- Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19
- Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
- What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs repeatedly.
- Fraternity Response: Waited 12 hours before calling 911 while he lay dying.
- Result: Died from traumatic brain injury.
- Legal Outcome: $110+ million settlement — 18 members charged, multiple convictions.
⚠️ These are not isolated incidents. These are patterns. And these same fraternities operate near Warrick County.
🏥 Medical Dangers of Hazing — What Warrick County Parents Need to Know
Hazing doesn’t just cause emotional trauma — it can cause life-threatening medical conditions.
🚑 Common Hazing Injuries:
| Injury | Cause | Symptoms | Long-Term Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.) | Severe muscle pain, dark/brown urine, weakness, inability to move | Kidney failure, permanent kidney damage, death |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking (binge drinking, chugging) | Confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow/irregular breathing, unconsciousness | Death, brain damage, aspiration |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Falls, beatings, head trauma | Headache, nausea, confusion, memory loss, loss of consciousness | Permanent cognitive impairment, death |
| Heat Stroke / Hypothermia | Exposure to extreme heat or cold | Dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness | Organ failure, death |
| Internal Bleeding | Physical abuse (paddling, beatings) | Abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting | Death if untreated |
| PTSD / Anxiety / Depression | Psychological abuse, humiliation, threats | Flashbacks, nightmares, social withdrawal, suicidal thoughts | Long-term mental health struggles |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts | Trauma, shame, fear | PTSD, relationship difficulties |
🚨 If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms after hazing, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY.
💰 Can You Sue for Hazing in Indiana? Yes — And You Can Win.
Hazing victims in Indiana have legal rights and can pursue financial compensation through civil lawsuits.
Who Can Be Sued?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students; negligent oversight |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their property |
| Housing Corporations | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
What Can You Recover?
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD |
| Mental Anguish | Anxiety, depression, fear of retribution |
| Punitive Damages | Additional money to punish egregious conduct |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death, families can sue for loss of life |
💵 Recent hazing settlements and verdicts range from $4 million to $110 million.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed Near Warrick County
✅ Step 1: Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention
- If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
- If they’re injured, take them to the ER or urgent care immediately — even if they say they’re “fine.”
- Document all symptoms (photos, videos, notes).
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, what happened, who was involved).
- Get witness names and contact info — other pledges, bystanders.
⚠️ Do NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts.
- Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel.
- Sign anything from the organization.
- Post about the incident on social media.
✅ Step 3: Report the Hazing
- File a police report — hazing is a crime in Indiana.
- Report to the university — most schools have a Title IX or student conduct office.
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority — they may investigate.
✅ Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney
- Do NOT talk to insurance companies or university lawyers without an attorney.
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
- We’ll evaluate your case, preserve evidence, and fight for justice.
🏆 Why Warrick County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW — $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Filed
We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after he was hospitalized with kidney failure from waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse.
This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. And we’ll bring the same aggressive representation to Warrick County victims.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides. We know how they minimize claims, deny liability, and try to blame victims.
Now, we use that knowledge to fight for victims.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Warrick County and Beyond
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Indiana. We:
- Offer free video consultations for Warrick County families.
- Travel to Warrick County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
- Have federal court authority to pursue cases across state lines.
- Are licensed in Texas and New York — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases.
4. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims come from Hispanic families. We provide full legal services in Spanish, including:
- Consultations
- Case updates
- Courtroom interpretation
- Document translation
5. No Upfront Cost — We Work on Contingency
We understand that Warrick County families can’t afford expensive legal fees during a crisis. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
6. We’ve Won Millions for Victims — And We’ll Fight for You
- $10 million lawsuit currently pending in hazing case.
- $6.5 million judgment against individual fraternity president (Stone Foltz case).
- $110+ million settlement in Penn State hazing case (est.).
- $6.1 million jury verdict in LSU hazing case.
We know how to build these cases, negotiate with institutions, and win in court.
📞 Warrick County Hazing Victims — Call Us Now
If your child has been hazed at University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, Western Kentucky University, or any other school near Warrick County, you have legal rights.
🚨 Free, Confidential Consultation — 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We will travel to Warrick County for your case. We will fight for you. And we will hold them accountable.
🔥 To Fraternities Operating Near Warrick County: We Are Watching.
Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Pi Kappa Alpha. Phi Delta Theta. Beta Theta Pi.
If your chapter is operating near Warrick County — at USI, UE, WKU, IU, Purdue, or any other university — know this:
- We are tracking your corporate structures.
- We know your insurance policies.
- We know your hazing history.
- We know how to sue your national organization, your housing corporation, and your individual members.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down.
Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ To Universities Near Warrick County: The Same Liability Applies to You.
University of Southern Indiana. University of Evansville. Western Kentucky University.
You own the fraternity houses. You control Greek life. You have the power to stop hazing.
But when you fail to act — when you ignore reports, when you prioritize reputation over safety — you become liable.
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
Act now — or face the same accountability.
📢 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to End Hazing in Warrick County and Beyond.
Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s not leadership.
It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes manslaughter.
And it has to stop.
If you or your child has been hazed near Warrick County, you are not alone. We are here to fight for you.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
📜 Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult with an attorney to discuss your specific situation. Attorney 911 is a Texas-based law firm with federal court authority. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Indiana, and travel to Warrick County for client representation. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a written agreement is signed.
