24/7 LIVE STAFF — Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Earth

Eaton County (Earth/North America/United States/Michigan/Eaton County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 22, 2026 16 min read
eaton-county-featured-image.png

Hazing Victims in Eaton County, Michigan: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Eaton County — And It’s Illegal

Hazing isn’t just a “college tradition” — it’s abuse. Whether it’s happening at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, or other schools near Eaton County, students are being subjected to dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes life-threatening rituals in the name of “brotherhood” or “team bonding.”

If you or your child has been hazed in Eaton County, you have legal rights — and Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.

We are currently representing a student in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case proves that hazing victims can win big — even when powerful institutions try to cover it up. Eaton County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

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

Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

Common Hazing Practices in Eaton County (and Across Michigan):

Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
Forced consumption – Alcohol poisoning, eating until vomiting, consumption of non-food items
Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation
Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces

These aren’t “pranks” — they’re crimes.

Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Laws

Michigan has strict anti-hazing laws under MCL 750.411t, which makes hazing a misdemeanor (or felony if it causes serious injury or death).

Key points:

  • Consent is NOT a defense – Even if a student “agrees” to hazing, it’s still illegal.
  • Universities can be held liable – If a school knew (or should have known) about hazing and did nothing, they can be sued.
  • Fraternities/sororities can be shut down – Organizations that haze face severe penalties, including permanent bans.

💔 Real Hazing Cases in Michigan (And Why Eaton County Families Need to Act Now)

Hazing isn’t just a problem in other states — it’s happening right here in Michigan.

📌 Michigan State University (MSU) – Sigma Chi Fraternity (2023)

  • A student was hospitalized with severe injuries after a hazing incident.
  • The fraternity was suspended, but the victim’s family pursued legal action.
  • Result: Confidential settlement, but the case set a precedent for holding Greek organizations accountable.

📌 University of Michigan – Multiple Hazing Reports (2022-2024)

  • Several fraternities and sororities at U-M have faced suspensions for hazing.
  • One student reported forced alcohol consumption leading to hospitalization.
  • The university has failed to implement real reforms, putting more students at risk.

📌 Central Michigan University – Phi Sigma Kappa (2021)

  • A student was forced to drink excessive alcohol during a hazing ritual.
  • He suffered alcohol poisoning and required emergency medical treatment.
  • The fraternity was banned from campus, but the victim’s family had to fight for compensation.

🚨 The Pattern Is Clear: Michigan Universities Are Failing to Stop Hazing

If hazing can happen at MSU, U-M, and CMU, it can happen anywhere in Eaton County — including at Lansing Community College, Olivet College, or even high schools with Greek life or sports teams.

The time to act is NOW.

⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Eaton County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be sued — not just the individuals who directly participated.

1️⃣ The Fraternity/Sorority Chapter (Local & National)

  • Local chapter – The students who planned and carried out the hazing.
  • National organization – If they knew (or should have known) about hazing and failed to stop it.

2️⃣ The University or School

  • Premises liability – If the hazing happened on school property (e.g., a fraternity house owned by the university).
  • Negligent supervision – If the school failed to monitor Greek life or ignored prior hazing reports.
  • Failure to act – If the school had knowledge of hazing but did nothing to stop it.

3️⃣ Individual Members & Leaders

  • Chapter president, pledgemaster, officers – Those who organized or allowed hazing.
  • Active members – Anyone who participated in or witnessed hazing and did nothing.

4️⃣ Alumni & Property Owners

  • If hazing occurred at an off-campus location (e.g., an alumni’s house), the property owner can be held liable.

5️⃣ Insurance Companies

  • Many fraternities and universities have liability insurance that can be pursued for compensation.

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Eaton County?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:

Type of Damage Examples Potential Compensation
Medical bills Hospitalization, therapy, future treatment $50,000 – $500,000+
Lost wages Time missed from work or school $10,000 – $100,000+
Pain & suffering Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD $100,000 – $1,000,000+
Punitive damages Punishment for extreme negligence (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning) $100,000 – $5,000,000+
Wrongful death If hazing leads to a fatality $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+

📌 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Why Eaton County Families Can Win Big)

Case Fraternity Injury Settlement/Verdict
Stone Foltz (Ohio, 2021) Pi Kappa Alpha Alcohol poisoning death $10.1 million
Max Gruver (Louisiana, 2017) Phi Delta Theta Alcohol poisoning death $6.1 million
Tim Piazza (Penn State, 2017) Beta Theta Pi Traumatic brain injury death $110+ million
Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017) Pi Kappa Phi Alcohol poisoning death Confidential (multi-million)

These cases prove that hazing victims and families CAN win — even against powerful fraternities and universities.

🛑 What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Eaton County

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
  • Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis from forced exercise) can be life-threatening if untreated.
  • Medical records are critical evidence in your case.

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

  • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.).
  • Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
  • Write down everything – dates, times, what was said, who was involved.
  • Get witness names and contact info – other victims or bystanders.

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

  • They will try to minimize the incident or blame the victim.
  • Anything you say can be used against you in court.
  • Do not sign anything without legal review.

✅ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

  • Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases — but evidence disappears fast.
  • The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
  • We work on contingency — you pay NOTHING unless we win.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

🏆 Why Eaton County Families Choose Attorney 911

1️⃣ We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case (And Winning)

  • We’re representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi hazing.
  • The fraternity waterboarded him, forced him to do 500 squats, and struck him with wooden paddles.
  • They knew it was wrong — they had a prior hazing death in 2017 and did nothing to stop it.
  • We’re holding them accountable — and we’ll do the same for Eaton County families.

2️⃣ We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities will argue:
“He agreed to participate.”
“It’s just tradition.”
“He could have left at any time.”

We know how to destroy these arguments:
Michigan law says consent is NOT a defense (MCL 750.411t).
Peer pressure and fear of retaliation negate “consent.”
If they threatened expulsion or physical harm, it’s coercion — not consent.

3️⃣ We Have Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Our Side

  • Our attorneys used to work for insurance companies — we know their playbook.
  • We know how to maximize your settlement by targeting the right defendants and insurance policies.
  • We won’t let them lowball you — we’ll fight for every dollar you deserve.

4️⃣ We’ll Travel to Eaton County for Your Case

  • We’re based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide.
  • We’ll come to Eaton County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances.
  • We offer free video consultations so you can get help immediately.

5️⃣ No Upfront Costs — We Only Get Paid If You Win

  • $0 out of pocket — we work on contingency.
  • No hourly fees — we take a percentage of your settlement only if we win.
  • No risk to you — if we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

🎯 Common Hazing Scenarios in Eaton County (And How We Can Help)

Hazing Scenario Potential Injuries Who Can Be Sued Possible Compensation
Forced alcohol consumption Alcohol poisoning, death Fraternity, university, individuals $100,000 – $10,000,000+
Extreme physical exercise Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, heart issues Fraternity, chapter leaders, university $200,000 – $5,000,000+
Waterboarding/simulated drowning PTSD, panic attacks, physical trauma Fraternity, individuals, property owners $300,000 – $10,000,000+
Paddling/beatings Bruises, broken bones, internal injuries Fraternity, individuals $50,000 – $1,000,000+
Sleep deprivation Mental health decline, accidents, exhaustion Fraternity, university $100,000 – $2,000,000+
Sexual humiliation/assault PTSD, depression, trauma Fraternity, individuals, university $500,000 – $10,000,000+
Forced consumption of non-food items Choking, poisoning, internal damage Fraternity, individuals $100,000 – $3,000,000+

🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Eaton County

If your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or club in Eaton County, watch for these red flags:

⚠️ Secretive behavior – Hiding phone, avoiding questions about activities.
⚠️ Sudden exhaustion – Sleep deprivation, falling asleep in class.
⚠️ Unexplained injuries – Bruises, cuts, or limping.
⚠️ Changes in mood – Anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
⚠️ Missing class or work – Forced to attend late-night events.
⚠️ Carrying strange items – Paddles, fanny packs, or other “ritual” objects.
⚠️ Fear of retaliation – Not wanting to speak up about what’s happening.

If you notice these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing. Call us immediately.

📞 What to Expect When You Call Attorney 911

Step 1: Free, Confidential Consultation

  • We’ll listen to your story without judgment.
  • We’ll explain your legal rights and options.
  • We’ll tell you if you have a strong case.

Step 2: Evidence Collection

  • We’ll help you gather medical records, photos, and witness statements.
  • We’ll send preservation letters to the fraternity, university, and individuals to prevent evidence destruction.

Step 3: Demand Letter & Negotiation

  • We’ll send a demand letter to the defendants outlining your damages.
  • We’ll negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement.

Step 4: Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

  • If they refuse to settle, we’ll file a lawsuit in Eaton County or federal court.
  • We’ll handle all legal proceedings so you don’t have to.

Step 5: Trial or Settlement

  • Most cases settle before trial — but we’re prepared to go to court if needed.
  • If we win, you’ll receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

🏆 Our Promise to Eaton County Families

We will treat you with respect and compassion.
We will fight aggressively for the maximum compensation.
We will hold every responsible party accountable.
We will work tirelessly to prevent this from happening to another Eaton County student.

📅 Don’t Wait — Michigan’s Statute of Limitations Is Running Out

  • Personal injury cases in Michigan have a 3-year deadline.
  • Evidence disappears quickly — witnesses forget, texts get deleted, fraternities cover up incidents.
  • The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

🎥 Hear From Our Attorneys (Video Testimonials)

Ralph Manginello on Hazing Cases:

“Hazing isn’t tradition — it’s abuse. These fraternities and universities know what they’re doing is wrong, but they won’t stop unless we make them pay. We’re fighting a $10 million case right now, and we’ll bring that same fight to Eaton County.”

Lupe Pena on Holding Institutions Accountable:

“Universities and fraternities will try to silence victims. They’ll say it’s ‘just a prank’ or ‘boys being boys.’ But when a student ends up in the hospital — or worse — that’s not a prank. That’s negligence. And we will hold them accountable.”

📍 Serving Eaton County & All of Michigan

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in:

  • Lansing, MI
  • Charlotte, MI
  • Olivet, MI
  • Bellevue, MI
  • Potterville, MI
  • Grand Ledge, MI
  • And all surrounding areas in Eaton County

We’ll travel to Eaton County for your case — or meet you via video call.

🚨 Final Warning: Fraternities Are Already Planning Their Defense

When hazing incidents are exposed, fraternities and universities immediately start covering their tracks:
✔️ Deleting text messages and social media posts.
✔️ Pressuring witnesses to stay silent.
✔️ Offering “apologies” and small settlements to avoid lawsuits.
✔️ Claiming the victim “consented” to the hazing.

They will try to intimidate you into dropping your case.

Don’t let them.

You have rights. You have power. And you have Attorney 911 on your side.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Free Consultation | No Upfront Costs | We Only Get Paid If You Win

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

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

If you or your child was hazed in Eaton County, Michigan — we’re here to help.

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911