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Blog | Allegan County

Allegan County (Earth/North America/United States/Michigan/Allegan County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down by Our $10M Lawsuit | Attorney911 — Federal Court Admitted | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 22, 2026 14 min read
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Hazing Victims in Allegan County, Michigan: Your Rights, Your Justice, Your Voice

🚨 Hazing Happens Here Too — And It Has to Stop

If you’re reading this, you or someone you love may have been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization in Allegan County, Michigan. Maybe it was at Hope College in nearby Holland, or at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, or even at a high school team or club. Maybe it was at a fraternity or sorority with a chapter near Allegan County — like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, or others.

We need you to know: This isn’t tradition. This isn’t team bonding. This is abuse. And you have the right to fight back.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now in Texas — and we’re bringing the same fight to Allegan County, Michigan. We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing.

The same fraternities operate near Allegan County. The same hazing happens here. And we will fight for Allegan County families with the same fury.

🔍 What Is Hazing in Allegan County?

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s dangerous, illegal, and often life-altering abuse disguised as tradition.

In our current case, a student was:

  • Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to keep running
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
  • Hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour
  • Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This isn’t hazing. This is assault. This is battery. And it happens in Allegan County too.

📌 Is Hazing Illegal in Michigan?

Yes. And it’s not just wrong — it’s criminal.

Michigan has strong anti-hazing laws. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.411t, hazing is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.

But criminal charges aren’t the only way to seek justice. You can also file a civil lawsuit to hold the fraternity, university, and individuals accountable — and recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable in Allegan County?

When hazing happens, everyone involved can be sued — not just the individuals who did it.

In our current case, we’re suing:

  • The local fraternity chapter — for organizing and conducting the hazing
  • The national fraternity organization — for failing to supervise and allowing a culture of abuse
  • The university — for failing to protect students, especially when they own or control the property where hazing occurs
  • Individual members — including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and anyone who participated
  • Alumni and hosts — if hazing occurred at their homes

If hazing happened at a university near Allegan County — like Hope College, Western Michigan, or others — the institution may also be liable if they knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to stop it.

💔 What Are the Consequences of Hazing?

Hazing doesn’t just leave physical scars. It can ruin lives.

Physical Consequences:

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can lead to kidney failure, as seen in our client
  • Alcohol poisoning — common in forced drinking hazing
  • Broken bones, burns, internal injuries — from physical abuse
  • Head trauma — from beatings or falls
  • Hypothermia or heatstroke — from exposure
  • Death

Psychological Consequences:

  • PTSD — from waterboarding, paddling, or other torture
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Fear of retribution — many victims don’t report due to threats
  • Loss of trust in institutions and peers
  • Academic decline — hazing disrupts education and future opportunities

Financial Consequences:

  • Medical bills — ER visits, hospital stays, ongoing treatment
  • Lost wages — time missed from work or internships
  • Educational disruption — failing classes, transferring schools, losing scholarships

💰 Can You Sue for Hazing in Allegan County?

Yes. And you can win.

Hazing victims in Michigan can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses — past and future
  • Lost wages — if you missed work or lost job opportunities
  • Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
  • Punitive damages — to punish the defendants for egregious conduct

You do not need to have been physically injured to sue. Even if you were only humiliated or psychologically abused, you may have a valid claim.

📅 How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?

In Michigan, you generally have 3 years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.

But don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And the longer you wait, the harder it is to build a strong case.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

📋 What Should You Do If You’ve Been Hazed in Allegan County?

If you or someone you know has been hazed, follow these steps immediately:

1️⃣ Get Medical Attention

  • Even if you feel “fine,” get checked by a doctor.
  • Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
  • Medical records are critical evidence.

2️⃣ Preserve All Evidence

  • Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about the hazing.
  • Take photos of any injuries, the location, or items used in hazing.
  • Write down everything you remember — dates, times, what was said, who was there.
  • Get names and contact information of any witnesses.

3️⃣ Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

  • They will try to control the narrative.
  • They may ask you to sign documents that waive your rights.
  • They may pressure you to stay silent.

4️⃣ Do NOT Post on Social Media

  • Anything you post can be used against you.
  • Even innocent posts can be twisted to make it seem like you weren’t really hurt.

5️⃣ Contact an Attorney Immediately

  • Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
  • We offer free, confidential consultations.
  • We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if you win.

🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Allegan County Hazing Case?

We’re not just any law firm. We’re hazing litigation experts, and we’re fighting this battle right now.

✅ We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

  • We represent a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure at Pi Kappa Phi.
  • We’re holding the fraternity, university, and individuals accountable.
  • We’re bringing the same fight to Allegan County.

✅ We Have Deep Experience in Complex Litigation

  • Ralph Manginello has over 25 years of litigation experience, including high-stakes cases like the BP Texas City explosion and multi-million-dollar personal injury claims.
  • Lupe Pena is a former national insurance defense attorney — he knows how insurance companies think and how to beat them.
  • We’ve won millions for clients in personal injury, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases.

✅ We Understand Hazing Culture

  • We’ve handled Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, and rhabdomyolysis cases.
  • We know the tactics fraternities use to hide hazing.
  • We know how to expose institutional negligence.

✅ We Serve Allegan County Families

  • While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Allegan County, Michigan.
  • We offer video consultations, and we’ll travel to Allegan County for depositions and trials.
  • We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if you win.

✅ We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

  • Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
  • We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no language barrier prevents justice.

📞 Call Us Today — Free Consultation for Allegan County Families

If you or someone you love has been hazed in Allegan County, Michigan, call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation. No upfront fees. We only get paid if you win.

🔥 Our Promise to Allegan County Families

We promise to:

  • Listen to your story without judgment.
  • Fight aggressively for your rights.
  • Hold every responsible party accountable — from the individuals to the institutions.
  • Maximize your compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
  • Protect your privacy and your future.
  • Work tirelessly to ensure this never happens to another Allegan County family.

You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

📚 Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Allegan County

Q: What if I consented to the hazing? Can I still sue?

A: Yes. Under Michigan law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if you agreed to participate, you can still sue for injuries and damages.

Q: What if I was hazed at a high school team or club?

A: Hazing is illegal at all levels — high school, college, and beyond. If you were hazed at a high school team, club, or organization in Allegan County, you may have a valid claim.

Q: What if I don’t live in Allegan County anymore?

A: It doesn’t matter where you live now. If the hazing happened in Allegan County or at a Michigan university, we can represent you.

Q: What if the hazing happened years ago?

A: In Michigan, you generally have 3 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, there may be exceptions for delayed discovery or ongoing trauma. Call us to discuss your situation.

Q: What if I’m afraid of retaliation?

A: We understand. Many hazing victims fear retribution. We will protect your identity and your safety. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is too afraid to speak publicly — we respect that and will protect you too.

Q: How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different. Factors include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The egregiousness of the conduct
  • Whether the university or fraternity knew about prior hazing
  • Your medical expenses and lost wages
  • The impact on your mental health and future

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million. Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.

📢 A Message to Fraternities and Universities in Allegan County

To the fraternities operating near Allegan County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If your members harm students, we will pursue every liable entity.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Allegan County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

To universities in and near Allegan County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now — or face the same accountability.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. That’s what happens when you haze in America. And that’s what will happen in Allegan County.

🏆 Our Track Record — We Win for Victims

We don’t just talk about fighting hazing. We’re doing it right now.

💰 Current Case: $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

  • Victim: Leonel Bermudez
  • Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston, individuals
  • Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
  • Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating
  • Status: Lawsuit filed November 21, 2025

💰 Precedent Cases We’ve Studied:

Case Fraternity Outcome
Stone Foltz Pi Kappa Alpha $10.1 million settlement
Maxwell Gruver Phi Delta Theta $6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza Beta Theta Pi $110+ million settlement
Andrew Coffey Pi Kappa Phi Confidential settlement

We know how to win. And we’re bringing that expertise to Allegan County.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Today — 1-888-ATTY-911

If you or someone you love has been hazed in Allegan County, Michigan, call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. No upfront fees. We only get paid if you win.

🔚 Enough Is Enough, Allegan County

Hazing has taken too many lives. It has ruined too many futures. It has traumatized too many students.

But it doesn’t have to continue.

If you’ve been hazed in Allegan County, Michigan — at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any organization — you have the power to stop it.

Call us. Speak up. Fight back.

Together, we can hold them accountable, get you justice, and protect the next student.

Enough is enough.

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