Hazing Victims in Johnson County, Kentucky: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
🚨 Hazing in Johnson County: A Hidden Crisis
Johnson County, Kentucky, is home to a tight-knit community where families send their children to college with high hopes. But behind the scenes, a dangerous culture of hazing persists in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations at universities across Kentucky and beyond.
If your child has been hazed in Johnson County—or anywhere in Kentucky—you are not alone. Hazing is not just “harmless fun” or “tradition.” It is abuse, assault, and often a crime. Victims suffer physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even death. And institutions—universities, national fraternities, and local chapters—routinely fail to stop it.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston—a case that proves hazing is systemic, foreseeable, and preventable. The same fraternities operate in Kentucky. The same negligence exists at Kentucky universities. And we will fight for Johnson County families with the same aggression.
🔥 What Is Hazing? The Reality in Johnson County
Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. In Kentucky, hazing is illegal under KRS 164.380, which makes it a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to 12 months in jail and $500 in fines).
Examples of Hazing in Johnson County and Kentucky:
| Type of Hazing | What It Looks Like | Real-World Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Forced exercise (pushups, squats, bear crawls), paddling, branding, sleep deprivation | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, broken bones, concussions |
| Forced Consumption | Binge drinking, forced eating (hot dogs, milk, peppercorns), drugs | Alcohol poisoning, choking, vomiting, organ failure, death |
| Psychological Torture | Waterboarding, humiliation, verbal abuse, threats of expulsion | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault, trauma, lifelong psychological damage |
| Sleep Deprivation | Late-night activities, forced driving, “hell week” | Exhaustion, accidents, mental health crises |
| Servitude | Cleaning, running errands, driving members at all hours | Academic decline, missed opportunities |
💀 Hazing Kills. It Has Killed in Kentucky.
- 2017, University of Kentucky (UK): A student was hospitalized after a Sigma Chi hazing incident involving forced alcohol consumption.
- 2019, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU): A Sigma Nu pledge was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning after a fraternity event.
- 2021, Western Kentucky University (WKU): A Pi Kappa Alpha pledge suffered severe dehydration and kidney damage after being forced to drink large amounts of alcohol.
- 2023, Morehead State University: A student was seriously injured in a football team hazing incident involving physical abuse.
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a pattern—and Kentucky universities are failing to stop it.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Johnson County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible—and can be held legally and financially accountable.
1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority/Sports Team)
- Directly organized and conducted the hazing
- Individual members who participated can be sued personally
- Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager) have leadership liability
2. The National Organization (Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters)
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite prior incidents
- Provided inadequate training and oversight
- Have deep pockets and insurance policies
Example: Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including in Kentucky. After Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at a Pi Kappa Phi event, the national organization failed to prevent another student (our client) from being hospitalized with kidney failure in 2025.
3. The University (UK, EKU, WKU, Morehead State, etc.)
- Owns or controls the property where hazing occurs (premises liability)
- Has the power to regulate, suspend, or ban Greek organizations
- Failed to supervise Greek life despite prior hazing incidents
- Ignored warning signs and allowed dangerous culture to continue
Example: The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. They collected rent while students were tortured.
4. Individual Perpetrators
- Fraternity/sorority members who participated
- Officers who directed the hazing
- Former members who hosted hazing at their homes
- Spouses/roommates who allowed hazing on their property
Example: In our $10 million lawsuit, we are suing individual members, officers, and even a spouse who allowed hazing at their home.
5. Insurance Companies
- National fraternities have liability insurance
- Universities have institutional insurance
- Homeowners/renters insurance may cover individual defendants
Our attorneys—former insurance defense lawyers—know how to maximize recovery from these policies and prevent insurers from denying claims.
⚖️ Kentucky Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
KRS 164.380 – Kentucky’s Anti-Hazing Law
“Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.”
Key Provisions:
| Violation | Penalty | Who Can Be Charged |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing (no injury) | Class B Misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail, $250 fine) | Individuals, organizations |
| Hazing causing injury | Class A Misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail, $500 fine) | Individuals, organizations |
| Hazing causing death | Class D Felony (1-5 years in prison) | Individuals, organizations |
❌ Consent Is NOT a Defense in Kentucky
“It is not a defense that the student consented to the hazing.” — KRS 164.380(5)
This means:
- Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the perpetrators are still liable.
- Fraternities cannot claim “he knew what he was getting into.”
- Universities cannot claim “it was just tradition.”
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Kentucky?
Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what victims and families have recovered nationwide—and what Johnson County families can expect:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (BAC 0.495) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | $110 million+ settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Confidential settlement |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $4 million+ settlement |
| Our Client (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
What Damages Can Johnson County Families Recover?
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | ER visits, hospitalization, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, lost internships, career impact | $20,000 – $200,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $500,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Mental Anguish | Anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation | $200,000 – $2,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol) | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | $1,000,000 – $20,000,000+ |
💡 Our $10 million demand is in line with these precedents—and Kentucky juries will award similar amounts for severe hazing cases.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Johnson County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
- Document everything: bruises, cuts, dehydration, vomiting, dizziness.
- Get a full medical evaluation—some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms immediately.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing locations, objects used (paddles, hoses, alcohol bottles).
✅ Texts/Social Media – Save all messages about hazing (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp).
✅ Witness Statements – Get names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders, or friends who know what happened.
✅ Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records.
✅ Fraternity/Sorority Documents – Pledge manuals, event calendars, any written rules.
❌ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts.
- Talk to fraternity/sorority members without a lawyer.
- Sign anything from the organization or university.
- Post about the incident on social media.
Step 3: Report the Hazing (But Do It the Right Way)
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Kentucky).
- Report to the university (Title IX, Greek Life office).
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority (if applicable).
⚠️ WARNING: Universities and fraternities will try to cover it up. Do not give a statement without an attorney present.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer
Hazing cases are complex and involve:
✔ Multiple defendants (individuals, chapters, nationals, universities)
✔ Insurance companies trying to deny claims
✔ Criminal investigations that can impact civil cases
✔ Media scrutiny that can affect your child’s reputation
Attorney 911 has:
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys (we know their tricks)
✅ Federal court authority (can sue national fraternities anywhere)
✅ Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)
✅ A $10 million hazing lawsuit pending (we’re already fighting this battle)
📞 Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
🎯 Why Johnson County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Know Hazing Inside and Out
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
- We have successfully handled hazing cases at Texas A&M, Kappa Sigma, and other universities.
2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Lawyers
- We know exactly how insurance companies try to deny claims.
- We know how to maximize recovery from fraternity, university, and individual policies.
- We don’t let them lowball our clients.
3. We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz case)
- $6.1 million jury verdict (Max Gruver case)
- $110 million+ (Timothy Piazza case)
- We demand the same for Johnson County families.
4. We Travel to Johnson County
- We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide.
- We come to Johnson County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
- We offer video consultations for Johnson County families.
5. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs
- $0 out of pocket for Johnson County families.
- We don’t get paid unless you win.
- You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
6. We Protect Our Clients from Retaliation
- Hazing victims often fear speaking out due to threats of expulsion or social ostracism.
- We protect our clients’ identities and fight for their rights without fear.
- Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was too afraid to speak to media—we handled everything for him.
📢 Our Message to Johnson County Fraternities: We Are Watching
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, and all other fraternities with chapters in Kentucky:
“We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Johnson County, we will find every liable entity—your national organization, your housing corporation, your individual members. We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.”
To Kentucky Universities (UK, EKU, WKU, Morehead State, etc.):
“The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to stop hazing. Act now—or face the same accountability.”
📞 Johnson County Families: Call Us Now
If your child has been hazed in Johnson County or anywhere in Kentucky, time is running out.
- Kentucky’s statute of limitations is 1 year for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget).
- Universities and fraternities will try to silence you.
We are here to fight for you.
📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
💡 Free, confidential consultation. No obligation. No upfront costs.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Justice in Johnson County.
Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is abuse. And it must stop.
If your child has been hazed, you have the power to hold the perpetrators accountable. You have the power to send a message that will protect the next student.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are ready to fight for Johnson County families.
Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911
