Hazing Victim Legal Representation in Charlevoix County, Michigan

Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Charlevoix County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont — Nationwide Representation Available

📞 24/7 Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Charlevoix County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition” — it’s abuse, assault, and often a crime. In Charlevoix County, students at local colleges and universities face the same dangers that have hospitalized and killed students nationwide. If your child has been hazed, you have legal rights — and we can help.

🔍 What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that:

• Endangers mental or physical health (e.g., forced drinking, extreme physical exertion)
• Humiliates or degrades (e.g., carrying embarrassing objects, forced nudity)
• Involves alcohol or drug consumption (e.g., binge drinking, forced ingestion)
• Creates excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation (e.g., late-night activities, early-morning tasks)
• Involves physical brutality (e.g., paddling, waterboarding, beatings)

Michigan Law: Hazing is a misdemeanor under Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.411t, punishable by up to 93 days in jail and $1,000 in fines. If hazing causes serious injury or death, penalties increase significantly.

🏛️ Where Hazing Happens in Charlevoix County

Charlevoix County is home to Northern Michigan University (NMU) in nearby Marquette, as well as several smaller colleges and universities where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing scandals nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others — operate chapters near Charlevoix County.

📍 Local Institutions with Greek Life Presence:

• Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI) – Active fraternities and sororities
• Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) – Greek organizations on campus
• Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City, MI) – Student clubs and organizations
• Alpena Community College (Alpena, MI) – Smaller Greek life presence

The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Charlevoix County-area fraternities and sororities. If your child is pledging a Greek organization near Charlevoix County, they face the same risks.

💔 Real Hazing Cases: What Happens to Charlevoix County Students

📌 Case Study: The $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit We’re Fighting Right Now

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
What Happened:

• Forced to perform 500 squats, 100 pushups, and bear crawls until he couldn’t stand
• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure

Result: We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members.

Why This Matters for Charlevoix County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Charlevoix County.
• The same national organization that paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths is active in Michigan.
• Universities near Charlevoix County face the same liability failures as UH.

💰 Other Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Cases

These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win — and the settlements are life-changing for victims and their families.

⚖️ Legal Rights for Charlevoix County Hazing Victims

📜 Michigan Hazing Laws

Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.411t, hazing is a crime, and consent is not a defense. This means:

• Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
• Universities and national fraternities can be sued for failing to prevent hazing.

🏛️ Who Can Be Sued?

If your child has been hazed, we can pursue claims against:

1. The local fraternity/sorority chapter (e.g., the NMU chapter of Pi Kappa Phi)
2. The national fraternity/sorority organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National)
3. The university or college (e.g., Northern Michigan University)
4. Individual members (e.g., the chapter president, pledgemaster)
5. Housing corporations (if hazing occurred at a fraternity/sorority house)
6. Alumni who enabled hazing

Universities near Charlevoix County have a duty to protect students. If they knew (or should have known) about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable.

💡 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Charlevoix County

🚨 Immediate Steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation. Hazing can cause rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, or psychological trauma.
2. Document Everything – Take photos of injuries, save text messages, and record witness statements.
3. Preserve Evidence – Do not delete any communications (texts, social media, emails) about hazing.
4. Do Not Confront the Organization Alone – Fraternities/sororities will try to control the narrative. Let us handle it.
5. Contact an Attorney – Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

📋 Evidence We Need to Build Your Case:

✅ Medical records (hospital visits, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✅ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
✅ Text messages, emails, or social media posts about hazing
✅ Witness statements (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Academic records (if hazing affected grades or enrollment)

💰 Compensation Available for Charlevoix County Hazing Victims

If your child has been hazed, they may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if they missed work due to injuries)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)
• Wrongful death (if hazing resulted in death)

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

🔥 Why Charlevoix County Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience

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 right now.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies. We know their playbook — and we use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

✅ Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, allowing us to pursue hazing cases nationwide — including in Charlevoix County.

✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York)

This gives us a strategic advantage when suing national fraternities headquartered in other states.

✅ Willing to Travel to Charlevoix County

We will come to Charlevoix County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

✅ Se Habla Español

We provide bilingual legal services for Spanish-speaking families.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Charlevoix County, you have legal rights — and we can help.

📞 24/7 Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

🚫 Warning Signs of Hazing in Charlevoix County

Parents and students should be aware of these red flags that hazing may be occurring:

🔴 Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

🔴 Behavioral Signs:

• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Fear of missing events or meetings
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Drop in academic performance

🔴 Group Dynamics:

• Pledges required to perform tasks not asked of members
• Pledges carrying unusual objects (e.g., paddles, fanny packs)
• Late-night activities or early-morning meetings
• Forced consumption of alcohol or food

If you notice these signs, act immediately. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for guidance.

📢 Charlevoix County Parents: What You Can Do to Prevent Hazing

1. Talk to Your Child – Discuss the dangers of hazing and encourage them to speak up if they witness or experience abuse.
2. Research the Organization – Check if the fraternity/sorority has a history of hazing violations.
3. Monitor Their Well-Being – Sudden changes in behavior or physical condition may indicate hazing.
4. Report Suspicious Activity – If you suspect hazing, report it to the university and local authorities.
5. Know Your Legal Rights – If hazing occurs, contact an attorney immediately.

🏆 Our Commitment to Charlevoix County Hazing Victims

At Attorney 911, we believe no student should suffer in silence. We are committed to:
✔ Holding fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable
✔ Securing maximum compensation for victims and their families
✔ Preventing future hazing incidents through legal action
✔ Providing compassionate, aggressive representation for Charlevoix County families

We don’t just talk about hazing — we’re fighting it in court right now.

📞 Take Action Today

If your child has been hazed in Charlevoix County, don’t wait. Evidence disappears, and statutes of limitations expire.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com

We serve Charlevoix County and all of Michigan — and we’re ready to fight for you.