Hazing Victims in Piscataquis County, Maine: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Piscataquis County
Piscataquis County is known for its rugged natural beauty, tight-knit communities, and strong educational values. Families here send their children to college expecting them to be safe, to learn, and to grow. But behind the scenes, a dangerous and often deadly tradition persists: hazing.
If your child has been a victim of hazing at a college or university near Piscataquis County—whether at the University of Maine at Orono, Husson University, Thomas College, or any other institution—you are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “harmless fun.” It is abuse. And it is illegal.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities, the same negligence, and the same devastating injuries happen right here in Maine. Piscataquis County families deserve justice, and we are here to fight for it.
🔍 What Is Hazing? The Reality in Piscataquis County
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them—regardless of whether the victim “consented.” Under Maine law, consent is not a defense to hazing.
Common Hazing Practices in Maine Colleges (and Why They’re Dangerous)
| Hazing Activity | What Really Happens | Medical & Legal Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Alcohol Consumption | Pledges are pressured to drink until they black out or vomit. | Alcohol poisoning, death, brain damage. |
| Extreme Physical Exercise | 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills). | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, heart failure. |
| Waterboarding / Simulated Drowning | Pledges are sprayed with hoses, held underwater, or threatened with drowning. | PTSD, panic attacks, near-drowning trauma. |
| Beatings / Paddling | Pledges are struck with wooden paddles, belts, or other objects. | Bruises, broken bones, internal bleeding. |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to stay awake for days, drive members at odd hours. | Cognitive impairment, car accidents, mental health crises. |
| Forced Eating (Until Vomiting) | Made to consume milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, or other substances. | Choking, aspiration, food poisoning. |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, threats, carrying sexual objects, isolation. | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk. |
| Sexual Assault / Harassment | Forced nudity, inappropriate touching, sexualized rituals. | Criminal charges, lifelong trauma. |
💀 Hazing Kills. It Has Happened in Maine Before.
- In 2017, a student at Bates College was hospitalized after a hazing incident involving forced alcohol consumption.
- In 2019, a University of Maine student reported being subjected to extreme physical hazing, leading to severe injuries.
- In 2021, a Bowdoin College fraternity was suspended for hazing violations.
Piscataquis County families: If your child was hazed, they could be next.
⚖️ Maine’s Anti-Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Maine has strict laws against hazing, and universities have a legal duty to protect students.
Maine Revised Statutes § 500-A: Hazing
- Definition: Any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into a group.
- Penalties:
- Class D Crime (misdemeanor) – Up to 364 days in jail and $2,000 fine for individuals.
- Organizations can be fined, suspended, or banned.
- Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
University Liability in Maine
Colleges and universities in Maine have a legal duty to:
✅ Prevent hazing through policies and oversight.
✅ Investigate reports of hazing immediately.
✅ Protect students from known dangers.
If a university fails to act, they can be held legally responsible for injuries.
💰 Why Piscataquis County Families Should Sue for Hazing
Hazing isn’t just a “college prank”—it causes real, life-altering harm. If your child was hazed, they may be entitled to financial compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospitalization, ER visits, therapy, medication. | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Future Medical Care | Long-term kidney damage, PTSD treatment, physical therapy. | $100,000 – $1,000,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation. | $250,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work due to injuries or psychological trauma. | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Educational Disruption | Dropped classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships. | $50,000 – $250,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | To punish the fraternity/university for gross negligence. | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
📈 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Why $10M+ Is Possible for Piscataquis County Families)
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Settlement/Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermudez (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10M lawsuit pending |
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Alcohol poisoning (death) | $10.1M settlement |
| Max Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Alcohol poisoning (death) | $6.1M jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Traumatic brain injury (death) | $110M+ settlement |
Piscataquis County families: These cases prove that hazing victims CAN and DO win big. The same legal strategies apply to Maine.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Piscataquis County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure can be life-threatening but may not show symptoms right away.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional treatment.
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Document injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used.
✅ Texts/Group Chats – Save all messages about hazing (do not delete anything).
✅ Social Media – Take screenshots of posts, messages, or threats.
✅ Witness Statements – Get contact info for other pledges or bystanders.
✅ Medical Records – Request copies of all hospital/doctor visits.
Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to silence you or twist your words.
- They may destroy evidence or pressure witnesses.
- Anything you say can be used against you in court.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Piscataquis County hazing emergencies)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations for Piscataquis County families.
✔ No upfront costs – We work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win).
✔ Nationwide representation – We can take your case no matter where the hazing occurred.
✔ Aggressive litigation – We sue fraternities, universities, and individuals for full compensation.
🏆 Why Piscataquis County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Case (And Winning)
- Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles at Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston).
- We are actively litigating this case, and the same strategies apply to Piscataquis County victims.
2. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million-Dollar Wins
- $10.1M settlement (Stone Foltz hazing death case)
- $6.1M jury verdict (Max Gruver hazing death case)
- $110M+ settlement (Timothy Piazza hazing death case)
3. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys (We Know Their Tricks)
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to work for insurance companies—so we know exactly how they try to lowball victims.
- We outmaneuver their tactics and maximize your compensation.
4. We Serve Piscataquis County Families Nationwide
- Headquartered in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but we travel to Piscataquis County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Video consultations available for Piscataquis County families who can’t travel.
- Federal court authority means we can sue national fraternities no matter where they’re based.
5. We Treat Piscataquis County Families Like Our Own
- We understand the pain of seeing your child suffer.
- We fight aggressively because we care deeply about justice.
- We don’t just want a settlement—we want to change the culture so no other Piscataquis County family has to go through this.
🎯 Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Piscataquis County?
If your child was hazed, we will pursue every liable party, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Potential Compensation Source |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing. | Chapter assets, insurance. |
| National Fraternity Organization | Failed to supervise, ignored prior hazing incidents. | National insurance, deep pockets. |
| University / College | Owned the fraternity house, failed to prevent hazing. | University insurance, endowment funds. |
| Fraternity President / Leaders | Directed hazing activities. | Personal assets, homeowner’s insurance. |
| Individual Members | Participated in or enabled hazing. | Personal assets, insurance. |
| Alumni / Former Members | Hosted hazing at their homes. | Homeowner’s insurance, personal assets. |
Piscataquis County families: We don’t just sue students—we go after the institutions with deep pockets.
⏳ Don’t Wait—Maine’s Statute of Limitations Is Running Out
- Personal Injury Claims: 6 years from the date of injury (Maine Revised Statutes § 752).
- Wrongful Death Claims: 2 years from the date of death (Maine Revised Statutes § 2-804).
- Criminal Charges: 6 years for misdemeanors, no limit for felonies.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire.
Call Attorney 911 NOW to protect your case.
📢 A Message to Piscataquis County Fraternities & Universities
To the fraternities operating near Piscataquis County:
- Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma—we are watching.
- The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
- If you haze students in Piscataquis County, we will find every liable entity and sue them for everything they’re worth.
To the universities in Maine:
- The University of Maine, Husson University, Thomas College, Colby College, Bates College, Bowdoin College—you have a legal duty to protect students.
- If you fail to stop hazing, you will be held accountable.
- The $110 million Penn State settlement should be a warning: Your institution is not above the law.
🚨 Piscataquis County Families: Call Attorney 911 NOW
If your child was hazed, you have legal rights. We will fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Piscataquis County hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free Consultation • No Upfront Costs • We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win
Piscataquis County families: Enough is enough. Let’s end hazing—together.
