Hazing Lawyer for Leslie County, Kentucky – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
🚨 Hazing Happens in Leslie County – And We’re Here to Stop It
Leslie County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to provide leadership, mentorship, and community—not torture, humiliation, and life-threatening abuse.
But the reality is hazing is happening right now at colleges near Leslie County. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston, forced pledges to drink until they died at Bowling Green State, and left another with permanent brain damage at Penn State have chapters near Leslie County.
If your child was hazed—whether at a local university, a school in Kentucky, or anywhere in the U.S.—you have legal rights. And we’re here to fight for you.
🏥 What Is Hazing? The Medical & Legal Reality
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.”
Hazing is abuse. And it can kill.
🔴 Common Hazing Practices in Kentucky & Nationwide
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, “drinking games”)
- Extreme physical punishment (500+ squats, bear crawls, paddling, branding)
- Waterboarding & simulated drowning (yes, this happens—we’re suing over it now)
- Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, early-morning workouts)
- Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation, sexual degradation)
- Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, non-food items)
- Exposure to extreme temperatures (stripping in cold weather, heat exhaustion)
🩺 Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can cause permanent physical damage and even death.
| Hazing Activity | Medical Risk | Real Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Forced drinking | Alcohol poisoning, death | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) – Died from BAC of 0.395 |
| Extreme exercise | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure | Our client (UH, 2025) – Hospitalized 4 days |
| Paddling/beating | Broken bones, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) – Fell down stairs, died |
| Waterboarding | Asphyxiation, PTSD, drowning | Our client (UH, 2025) – Simulated drowning with hose |
| Sleep deprivation | Cardiac arrest, mental breakdown, accidents | Multiple cases nationwide |
| Forced eating | Choking, aspiration, vomiting-induced dehydration | Max Gruver (LSU, 2017) – Forced to drink until he died |
If your child was hazed and suffered any of these injuries, they may be entitled to compensation—even if they “consented” to the activities.
💔 Why Leslie County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer
1️⃣ Universities & Fraternities Will Protect Themselves – Not Your Child
When hazing happens, institutions cover it up. They pressure victims to stay silent. They destroy evidence. They blame the victim.
We’ve seen it before:
- University of Houston had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha) – and did nothing to stop it from happening again in 2025 (Pi Kappa Phi).
- Pi Kappa Phi National knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 – and still allowed waterboarding in 2025.
- Fraternities tell victims: “It’s tradition. You agreed to this. Don’t ruin our reputation.”
They won’t protect your child. But we will.
2️⃣ “Consent” Is NOT a Defense in Kentucky or Anywhere in the U.S.
Fraternities will argue:
❌ “He agreed to participate.”
❌ “He knew the risks.”
❌ “He could have left at any time.”
But the law says otherwise.
Kentucky’s Anti-Hazing Law (KRS 164.375) makes it clear:
“Consent of the victim is not a defense to hazing.”
This means:
✅ Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, they can still sue.
✅ Even if they didn’t report it immediately, they can still seek justice.
✅ Even if the fraternity claims it was “just tradition,” they are still liable.
3️⃣ The Clock Is Ticking – Kentucky’s Statute of Limitations
In Kentucky, you have only 1 year to file a personal injury lawsuit from the date of the hazing incident.
If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
⚠️ WARNING: Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records.
If your child was hazed—even if it was months ago—contact us NOW.
🏆 We’re Actively Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit – And We’ll Fight for Leslie County Families Too
📰 The Case That’s Changing Hazing Laws Nationwide
Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (2025) – University of Houston
🔹 What Happened:
- A Leslie County-level student (not even enrolled at UH yet) was hazed by Pi Kappa Phi.
- He was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles.
- He developed rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, requiring 4 days in the hospital.
🔹 What We’re Doing:
- Filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members.
- Exposed their “hazing crisis” – they knew this was happening and did nothing.
- Forced the chapter to shut down – but they’re already planning to return.
🔹 Why This Matters for Leslie County:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide – including near Leslie County.
✅ The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Kentucky schools.
✅ Universities near Leslie County face the same liability failures as UH.
✅ If your child was hazed, we’ll fight for you with the same aggression.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth? Precedent Settlements & Verdicts
Hazing cases win big—because juries and institutions understand the severity of the abuse.
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death from forced drinking | $10.1 million |
| Max Gruver (2017) | LSU | Phi Delta Theta | Death from “Bible Study” drinking game | $6.1 million verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Fell down stairs, fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911 | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Our Case (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarding, 500 squats, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
💡 What This Means for Leslie County Families:
- Hazing cases settle for millions – even when victims survive.
- Universities and fraternities have deep pockets – they can pay.
- Juries award punitive damages when conduct is egregious (like waterboarding).
- Your child’s case could be worth $1 million+ – depending on injuries and evidence.
⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Kentucky?
Hazing isn’t just the fault of a few “bad apples.” Institutions enable it. And we sue them all.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Deep Pockets? |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | ✅ (Insurance, alumni funds) |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Knew about hazing culture, failed to stop it | ✅✅ (Millions in assets) |
| University/College | Owned the property, failed to supervise Greek life | ✅✅✅ (Endowment, insurance) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or enabled hazing | ✅ (Homeowner’s insurance) |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing events, failed to intervene | ✅ (Personal assets) |
| Housing Corporations | Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred | ✅ (Property assets) |
🔹 Example from Our Case:
- University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where waterboarding happened.
- Pi Kappa Phi National – Knew about a “hazing crisis” and did nothing.
- Chapter Officers – Directed the hazing.
- Individual Members – Participated in the abuse.
- Former Members & Spouse – Hosted hazing at their home.
We sue everyone responsible.
🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Kentucky
🚨 Immediate Steps – Preserve Evidence & Protect Your Rights
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Seek Medical Attention | Go to the ER or urgent care immediately – even if injuries seem minor. | Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can worsen quickly. Medical records are critical evidence. |
| 2️⃣ Document Everything | Take photos/videos of injuries, the hazing location, and any evidence (paddles, alcohol bottles, texts). | Evidence disappears fast. Screenshots > nothing. |
| 3️⃣ Save All Communications | Do NOT delete texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, or emails about hazing. | These are direct evidence of what happened. |
| 4️⃣ Get Witness Information | Collect names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders, or anyone who saw the hazing. | Witnesses strengthen your case. |
| 5️⃣ Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity | They will try to control the narrative, destroy evidence, or intimidate you. | Anything you say can be used against you. |
| 6️⃣ Do NOT Post on Social Media | Insurance companies and fraternities will use your posts against you. | Even a simple “I’m fine” can hurt your case. |
| 7️⃣ Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately | Kentucky’s statute of limitations is only 1 year. The sooner we act, the stronger your case. | Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. |
🎯 Why Leslie County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1️⃣ We’re Actively Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit – Right Now
- We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re in court fighting it.
- Our case against Pi Kappa Phi (UH) is making national headlines.
- We know how to win against universities and national fraternities.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Lawyers – We Know Their Playbook
- Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know how they try to deny claims, lowball settlements, and blame victims.
- We use that knowledge to crush their defenses.
3️⃣ We Go After Every Defendant – No One Escapes Liability
- We don’t just sue the chapter—we sue the national organization, the university, and the individuals.
- We find the money (insurance policies, assets, endowments).
- We hold everyone accountable—no matter how powerful.
4️⃣ We Travel to Leslie County – Distance Is Not a Barrier
- We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—but we serve clients nationwide.
- We offer video consultations for Leslie County families who can’t travel.
- We come to Kentucky for depositions, meetings, and trials.
5️⃣ No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee: We only get paid if we win your case.
- No hourly fees, no retainers, no financial risk.
- We front all costs (experts, investigations, court fees).
6️⃣ We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español
- Hazing affects all students, including Spanish-speaking families.
- Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish and can communicate directly with victims and families.
- No language barriers to justice.
📞 Leslie County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child was hazed—anywhere in Kentucky or the U.S.—we can help.
✅ Free case evaluation – No obligation.
✅ Confidential consultation – We protect your privacy.
✅ No upfront costs – You pay nothing unless we win.
✅ 24/7 availability – Hazing doesn’t wait. Neither do we.
📍 Serving Leslie County & All of Kentucky
While we’re based in Texas, hazing is a national crisis—and we fight for victims anywhere in the U.S.
We’ve helped clients from:
✔ Kentucky (UK, UofL, WKU, EKU, Morehead State, Transylvania, etc.)
✔ Tennessee (UT Knoxville, Vanderbilt, MTSU)
✔ Ohio (OSU, Miami, UC, BGSU)
✔ Indiana (IU, Purdue, Notre Dame)
✔ West Virginia (WVU, Marshall)
✔ And nationwide
If your child was hazed at a Kentucky school or anywhere in the U.S., we will fight for you.
🔥 Fraternities Near Leslie County: We’re Watching You
To the fraternities operating near Leslie County:
We know who you are.
We track your chapters. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies.
We’ve already shut down Pi Kappa Phi at UH. Your chapter could be next.
If you haze students in Kentucky, we will:
✅ Sue your chapter.
✅ Sue your national organization.
✅ Sue your university.
✅ Sue your individual members.
✅ Pursue criminal charges.
The Stone Foltz family won $10 million. The Gruver family won $6 million. The Piazza family won $110 million.
Your turn is coming.
📢 Final Message to Leslie County Families
Your child didn’t deserve this.
They went to college to learn, to grow, to make friends—not to be waterboarded, beaten, or forced to drink until they collapsed.
But the law is on your side.
✅ Kentucky law says hazing is illegal—no matter what.
✅ Consent is NOT a defense.
✅ Universities and fraternities can be held accountable.
✅ You can win millions in compensation.
We’re Attorney 911. We’re Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we’re ready to fight for your family.
Call us now—before it’s too late.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Serving Leslie County, Kentucky & the Nation – Because No Child Should Suffer for “Tradition.”
