Hazing Lawyers in Cass County, Michigan – Protecting Students and Families from Greek Life Abuse

Cass County Families: You Are Not Alone

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Cass County, Michigan, you need to know: this is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is abuse. And it’s happening right here in our community.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate near Cass County. The same universities fail to protect students. And we will fight just as hard for Cass County families as we are fighting in Texas.

You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept this. And you don’t have to face this alone.

Hazing in Cass County: The Reality

Cass County is home to dedicated students, hardworking families, and a strong sense of community. But behind the scenes, dangerous hazing rituals are putting our children at risk—right here in our own backyard.

Universities and Colleges Near Cass County with Greek Life

While Cass County itself is a smaller community, it is surrounded by institutions where Greek life thrives. Students from Cass County often attend or participate in Greek organizations at nearby universities, including:

• Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) – Home to multiple fraternities and sororities with active Greek life.
• Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI) – Private university with Greek organizations.
• Indiana University South Bend (South Bend, IN) – Just across the state line, with Greek presence.
• University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN) – Elite institution with a strong Greek system.
• Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) – One of the largest Greek systems in the state.

These are the same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. The same organizations that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters near Cass County. And the same universities that failed to stop hazing in Texas are failing students right here in Michigan.

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Michigan)

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. It is illegal in Michigan under MCL 750.411t.

Examples of Hazing (All Documented in Recent Cases)

This is not “tradition.” This is abuse. And it’s happening to students from Cass County.

The Devastating Consequences of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just leave physical scars—it destroys lives. Here’s what can happen to hazing victims:

Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis – Muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure (our client was hospitalized for 4 days with this)
• Alcohol poisoning – Can be fatal; BAC levels over 0.30 are life-threatening
• Traumatic brain injury – From beatings, falls, or lack of oxygen
• Broken bones, internal bleeding – From physical abuse
• Hypothermia, heatstroke – From forced exposure to extreme temperatures
• Death – At least one hazing death has occurred every year since 2000 in the U.S.

Psychological Trauma

• PTSD – From waterboarding, assault, or extreme humiliation
• Anxiety and depression – Fear of retaliation, social isolation
• Suicidal ideation – Hazing victims are at higher risk for self-harm
• Trust issues – Difficulty forming relationships after betrayal
• Academic decline – Inability to focus, dropping out of school

Financial Burdens

• Medical bills – Hospital stays, surgeries, therapy
• Lost wages – Time missed from work during recovery
• Tuition loss – If forced to withdraw from school
• Future earning potential – If injuries cause long-term disability

Cass County families should not have to bear these burdens alone. The people who hurt your child should pay.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Cass County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable. In our current case, we are suing:

We don’t just sue one person. We sue everyone responsible.

Michigan Hazing Laws: What Cass County Families Need to Know

Michigan has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. Here’s what you need to know:

MCL 750.411t – Hazing (Michigan Penal Code)

• Definition: Any intentional act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group.
• Penalties:
  • Misdemeanor: Up to 93 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine
  • Felony (if serious injury or death occurs): Up to 5 years in prison and/or $2,500 fine
• Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

Civil Liability in Michigan

• Negligence – Universities and organizations have a duty to protect students.
• Premises Liability – If hazing occurred on university-owned property, the school is responsible.
• Assault & Battery – Individuals who physically abuse pledges can be sued personally.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Psychological torture is actionable.
• Wrongful Death – If hazing leads to death, families can sue for compensation.

Michigan law is on your side. We will use every legal tool available to hold abusers accountable.

Real Hazing Cases – And What They Mean for Cass County

Hazing cases win big when victims and families stand up. Here are real cases with multi-million dollar outcomes—and what they mean for Cass County families:

1. Stone Foltz – Pi Kappa Alpha (Bowling Green State, 2021)

• What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university paid $2.9M; fraternity paid $7.2M).
• Cass County Takeaway: The same Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has chapters near Cass County. They will pay for what they do to our students.

2. Maxwell Gruver – Phi Delta Theta (LSU, 2017)

• What Happened: Forced drinking game (“Bible Study”); BAC reached 0.495 (6x legal limit); died.
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; hazing made a felony in Louisiana.
• Cass County Takeaway: Juries hate hazing. If your case goes to trial, they will punish the abusers.

3. Timothy Piazza – Beta Theta Pi (Penn State, 2017)

• What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911.
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement; 18 members charged criminally.
• Cass County Takeaway: Universities own fraternity houses—they can’t claim they didn’t know what was happening.

4. Our Current Case – Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston, 2025)

• What Happened: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles; hospitalized with kidney failure.
• Outcome: $10 million lawsuit filed; chapter permanently closed.
• Cass County Takeaway: This is happening now. The same fraternities are near Cass County. We are fighting this battle for your child.

These cases prove one thing: Hazing lawsuits win. And the abusers pay.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Cass County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And the statute of limitations (time limit to sue) is only 2 years in Michigan.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked.
• Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can take days to appear.
• Medical records are evidence. Without them, it’s harder to prove harm.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Photos/Videos: Take pictures of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Texts/Social Media: Save all messages (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, texts) about hazing.
• Witnesses: Get names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses.
• Documents: Save pledge manuals, schedules, or any written rules.
• Clothing/Items: Keep any clothing or items used in hazing (e.g., paddles, fanny packs).

Do NOT delete anything. Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university without a lawyer.

Step 3: Do NOT Give Statements to Anyone

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to get your child to sign statements or give recorded interviews.
• They are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize liability, not help your child.
• Anything your child says can be used against them.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Michigan statute of limitations: 2 years from the date of injury.
• Evidence disappears fast – fraternities delete messages, universities destroy records.
• The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Cass County Families Choose Attorney 911

We know Cass County families have choices. Here’s why we’re the right choice for hazing victims:

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these organizations operate—because we’re in the courtroom with them right now.
• Cass County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Both of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies.
• We know how they try to deny and minimize claims.
• We know how to dismantle their defenses—because we used to build them.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

• We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue cases in federal court—critical for national fraternities.
• Distance doesn’t matter. We will fight for Cass County families no matter where the hazing occurred.

4. Dual-State Licensed – Texas and New York

• Strategic advantage for national fraternity cases (many are headquartered in New York).
• We can pursue assets and insurance policies across state lines.

5. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

• Many hazing victims are first-generation or international students.
• We provide bilingual representation—no language barriers to justice.

6. Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win.
• We take the risk—if we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
• This levels the playing field. Fraternities and universities have deep pockets. Now you do too.

7. We Will Travel to Cass County

• We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we come to you.
• We will travel to Cass County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

8. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 4.9-star Google rating (250+ reviews)
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims
• Former clients say:
  

  “They treated me like family. I never felt like just another case.” – Ambur Hamilton
  “They got me more than I ever expected. I was blown away.” – Tracey White
  “They don’t just talk about fighting—they actually do it.” – Chad Harris

What Cass County Families Can Recover

If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million. Cass County families deserve no less.

Fraternities Near Cass County: We Are Watching You

To the fraternities operating near Cass County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and others—we have a message:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that are securing $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

If you haze students near Cass County, we will:

• Sue your local chapter
• Sue your national organization
• Sue your university
• Sue every individual member who participated
• Pursue punitive damages for your egregious conduct

We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act. Or we will clean you out in court.

Universities Near Cass County: You Are Liable

To Western Michigan University, Andrews University, Notre Dame, Indiana University South Bend, and Michigan State University:

You own the problem.

You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters.

You failed to stop hazing in Texas. You are failing students near Cass County.

When you allow hazing to happen on your campus, you are liable. And we will hold you accountable.

If you knew—or should have known—about hazing and did nothing, you will pay.

Cass County Parents: This Could Be Your Child

Imagine getting a call that your child:

• Was waterboarded at a fraternity event
• Was forced to do 500 squats until he couldn’t stand
• Was struck with wooden paddles
• Ended up in the hospital with kidney failure
• Is now too afraid to speak out because of retaliation

This is not a hypothetical. This is happening now.

The same fraternities that did this in Texas have chapters near Cass County. The same universities that failed in Texas are failing students here.

Your child could be next.

What Cass County Families Should Do Right Now

If Your Child Was Hazed:

1. Get medical help immediately – Even if injuries seem minor.
2. Preserve all evidence – Photos, texts, witness info.
3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university – They are not on your side.
4. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 – Free, confidential consultation.

If You’re Concerned About Hazing:

• Talk to your child – Ask if they’ve witnessed or experienced hazing.
• Educate them – Hazing is illegal, dangerous, and not required to join.
• Report suspicious activity – Contact us before it’s too late.

If You Want to Fight Back:

• Share this page – Help other Cass County families know their rights.
• Demand accountability – Contact your child’s university and demand Greek life reform.
• Support hazing legislation – Michigan needs stronger anti-hazing laws.

Cass County Hazing Lawyers – Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed, call us now.

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

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations
✅ $0 upfront – we only get paid if you win
✅ Bilingual representation (English/Spanish)
✅ Federal court authority – we can sue anywhere
✅ We travel to Cass County for your case

The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears fast. Call now.

Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Fight Back.

Cass County families deserve safe schools. Our students deserve to be protected. And the people who hurt them deserve to pay.

We are Attorney 911. And we are fighting for you.

🚨 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.