🚨 Hazing Victims in Madison County, Kentucky: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Madison County, you are not alone. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston—waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, physical abuse—happens at institutions across America, including right here in Kentucky. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit and fighting for students like yours. We serve Madison County families and will bring that same aggressive representation to your case.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Kentucky: It’s Happening Near Madison County
Madison County may not have a major university within its borders, but nearby institutions have active Greek life chapters where hazing occurs. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond—just 15 miles from Madison County—has multiple fraternities and sororities, including chapters of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha, the same national organizations involved in high-profile hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide.
These same fraternities operate near Madison County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Kentucky chapters. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Madison County, they face the same risks.
⚠️ What Hazing Looks Like in Kentucky:
- Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning (a leading cause of hazing deaths)
- Extreme physical punishment like pushups, squats, and calisthenics until exhaustion (as seen in our UH case)
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning (yes, this happens in Kentucky too)
- Sleep deprivation causing accidents and health issues
- Psychological abuse including humiliation, threats, and isolation
- Sexual assault and harassment disguised as “initiation”
Hazing isn’t limited to fraternities. It happens in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations at Kentucky colleges and universities.
🏛️ Kentucky’s Anti-Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Kentucky has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students and hold perpetrators accountable. If your child was hazed near Madison County, they have legal rights.
Kentucky Revised Statutes § 508.100 – Hazing
Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.
Criminal Penalties:
| Offense Level | Conduct | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Class B Misdemeanor | Hazing that creates substantial risk of physical injury | Up to 90 days in jail, $250 fine |
| Class A Misdemeanor | Hazing that causes physical injury | Up to 12 months in jail, $500 fine |
| Class D Felony | Hazing that causes serious physical injury or death | 1-5 years in prison |
Key Legal Points for Madison County Families:
- Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter. Kentucky law explicitly states that consent cannot be used as a defense.
- Organizations can be held criminally liable – Fraternities, sororities, and other student groups can face criminal charges.
- Universities can be held liable – If the institution knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be sued for negligence.
💰 Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable in Madison County Courts
While criminal charges punish the individuals responsible, civil lawsuits allow Madison County families to pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—the same legal strategies apply to Kentucky cases.
Who Can Be Sued in Kentucky Hazing Cases?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing activities |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise local chapter; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; had power to stop hazing |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Advisors | Allowed hazing at their homes or events |
| Insurance Companies | Liability policies covering fraternities and universities |
Damages Madison County Families Can Pursue:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future medical care |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Educational Disruption | Tuition refunds, scholarship loss |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct (like waterboarding) |
Precedent for High-Dollar Verdicts:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Ohio, 2021)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana, 2017)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Pennsylvania, 2017)
- $10 million – Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and UH
These same results are possible for Madison County families.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Madison County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing.
✅ Save all communications – texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails, social media posts.
✅ Document witness names – other pledges, bystanders, friends who know what happened.
✅ Keep all medical records – hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records.
✅ Write down everything – dates, times, locations, what was said/done.
❌ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts.
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel.
- Sign anything from the organization or university.
- Post about the incident on social media.
Step 3: Report the Incident
- File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Kentucky.
- Report to the university – Request a copy of their investigation.
- Report to the national organization – Many have anonymous hotlines.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney
Madison County families need aggressive legal representation. Attorney 911 offers:
✔ Free consultations – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
✔ Contingency fee basis – You pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if you win.
✔ Nationwide representation – We serve Kentucky from our Texas offices.
✔ Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal court if needed.
✔ Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how to fight their tactics.
Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
🏆 Why Madison County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the fight, and we know how to win. Madison County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. We Know the Playbook
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3. We Serve Madison County Families Nationwide
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across America, including Kentucky. We offer:
- Video consultations – Meet with us remotely.
- Travel to Madison County – For depositions, meetings, and trials.
- Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
4. We Understand Kentucky Law
We’re well-versed in:
- Kentucky’s anti-hazing statutes (§ 508.100)
- University liability in Kentucky
- Kentucky’s comparative fault rules
- Kentucky’s statute of limitations (1 year for personal injury)
5. We Get Results
- $10 million – Current hazing lawsuit (pending)
- Millions recovered in personal injury cases
- Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how to fight their tactics
- Federal court admission – Can pursue cases nationwide
🎯 The Attorney 911 Approach for Madison County Hazing Victims
Immediate Response
- Preserve evidence – We send preservation letters to prevent destruction.
- Medical documentation – We work with doctors to document injuries.
- Witness interviews – We gather statements while memories are fresh.
Aggressive Litigation
- Identify all liable parties – Fraternities, universities, individuals, insurers.
- Build a strong case – Medical records, witness statements, expert testimony.
- Negotiate from strength – We don’t accept lowball offers.
- Take it to trial if needed – We’re not afraid to fight in court.
Compassionate Representation
- We listen – We understand the trauma hazing causes.
- We protect – We shield you from intimidation and retaliation.
- We fight for you – This is personal for us. We see your child as a person, not a paycheck.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Madison County Families
1. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
Yes. Kentucky’s anti-hazing law applies on or off campus. If hazing occurred at a private residence, hotel, or other location, the fraternity, its members, and even the property owner can be held liable.
2. What if my child “consented” to the hazing?
Consent is NOT a defense in Kentucky. Kentucky law explicitly states that consent cannot be used to justify hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
3. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Kentucky?
- Personal injury: 1 year from the date of injury.
- Wrongful death: 1 year from the date of death.
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire. Contact us immediately.
4. Can we sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?
Possibly. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight, ignored prior hazing incidents, or allowed a culture of abuse to exist, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.
5. What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?
It doesn’t matter. The national organization, the university, and individual members can still be held liable. Closing a chapter is damage control—they can’t escape accountability.
6. Can we afford a lawyer?
Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Madison County families pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
7. Will this affect my child’s academic standing?
We protect your child’s rights. Many universities try to silence victims to protect their reputation. We ensure your child is treated fairly and not retaliated against.
8. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
We understand. Hazing victims often fear retribution from fraternity members or the university. We take steps to protect your child’s identity and safety throughout the legal process.
📢 A Message to Kentucky Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Madison County: We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Kentucky, we will find every liable entity.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—if your chapter operates near Madison County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Universities near Madison 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 Kentucky institutions: The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
🏆 Our Promise to Madison County Families
We promise to:
- Fight aggressively for every Madison County family we represent.
- Pursue every liable party—fraternities, universities, individuals.
- Maximize your recovery—medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
- Protect your child from retaliation and intimidation.
- Hold institutions accountable so this never happens to another Madison County family.
📞 Contact Attorney 911 Today
If your child was hazed near Madison County, Kentucky, you have legal rights. We can help.
📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if you win.
Madison County Families: You Are Not Alone.
We are Attorney 911. We are your legal emergency responders. We fight for hazing victims—and we will fight for you.
