π¨ Franklin County Hazing Lawyer: Aggressive Representation for Victims & Families
Franklin County parents, students, and families: If your child has been the victim of hazing at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Franklin County, Mississippi β you are not alone, and you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we are bringing that same aggressive representation to hazing victims and families in Franklin County and across Mississippi.
π₯ This Happens in Franklin County β And We Will Fight For You
Franklin County is home to hardworking families who send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But the reality is that hazing happens at universities near Franklin County β and the same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston operate chapters at Mississippi institutions.
The same “traditions” that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez with kidney failure exist at Franklin County-area colleges. The same national organizations that failed to stop hazing after a student died in 2017 are still operating near Franklin County today. And the same universities that fail to protect students from hazing are failing Franklin County families.
If your child has been hazed in Franklin County, we will fight for you with the same fury we’re bringing to our current $10 million case.
β οΈ What Is Hazing? Franklin County Parents Need to Know
Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s not “just part of Greek life.” Hazing is abuse. It is assault. Sometimes, it is torture. And in Mississippi, it is illegal.
Mississippi Code Β§ 97-3-105 defines hazing as:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in, any school-sanctioned organization.
This includes:
| Activity | Franklin County Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion |
| Forced consumption | Alcohol, drugs, food β even to the point of vomiting |
| Psychological torture | Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation |
| Sexual abuse | Forced nudity, sexual assault, carrying sexual objects |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands |
Franklin County parents: If your child was subjected to any of these activities, they were hazed. And you have legal rights.
π The Franklin County Hazing Crisis: It’s Closer Than You Think
This isn’t just happening in other states. It’s happening near Franklin County.
National fraternities with documented hazing histories have active chapters at Mississippi universities:
| Fraternity | Documented Hazing History | Mississippi Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarded student in Houston (2025); Andrew Coffey died (2017) | University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021); $10.1M settlement | Mississippi State University, Ole Miss |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths; chemical burns case | Ole Miss, Mississippi State |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver death (2017); $6.1M verdict | Mississippi State University |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017); $110M+ settlement | University of Mississippi |
Franklin County families: These are the same Greek letters your child sees on campus. The same organizations that have killed students in other states are operating right here in Mississippi. And they are hazing Franklin County students.
Universities near Franklin County have hazing problems too.
Ole Miss and Mississippi State have both faced hazing allegations in recent years:
- 2019: Ole Miss suspended multiple fraternities for hazing violations
- 2021: Mississippi State investigated multiple Greek organizations for hazing
- 2023: Ole Miss student hospitalized after alleged hazing incident
- 2024: Mississippi State fraternity suspended for “extreme physical activities”
Franklin County parents: If your child attends a Mississippi university, they are at risk. And if they’ve already been hazed, the clock is ticking on your legal rights.
π₯ The Medical Reality of Hazing: What Franklin County Parents Must Understand
Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars. It causes real, life-threatening physical injuries.
Common Hazing Injuries in Franklin County Cases:
| Injury | Cause | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.) | Kidney failure, permanent kidney damage, death |
| Acute alcohol poisoning | Forced binge drinking | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic brain injury | Beatings, falls, head trauma | Permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to extreme temperatures | Organ failure, death |
| Internal bleeding | Physical abuse | Emergency surgery, death |
| Cardiac arrest | Extreme physical exertion | Death |
| PTSD, anxiety, depression | Psychological torture | Long-term therapy, medication, suicide risk |
Our client in Houston was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats. This same injury happens to Franklin County students when fraternities push them past their physical limits.
Franklin County families: If your child has been hazed, get them medical attention immediately. Then call us. Medical records are critical evidence in hazing cases.
βοΈ Your Legal Rights as a Franklin County Hazing Victim
Mississippi Hazing Law: What Franklin County Families Need to Know
Mississippi Code Β§ 97-3-105 β Hazing is a Crime
(1) A person is guilty of hazing if that person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in, any school-sanctioned organization, causes, coerces, or otherwise induces another person to commit an act that endangers the physical health or safety of that person.
Penalties:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine
- Felony (if serious bodily injury or death occurs): Up to 5 years in prison and/or $5,000 fine
Franklin County parents: Hazing is not just against university policy β it’s against Mississippi law. If your child has been hazed, the people who did it can go to jail.
Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Hazing in Franklin County
Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can still sue for money damages in civil court. This is where Attorney 911 helps Franklin County families.
Who Can You Sue?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students; premises liability |
| Chapter officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
Our current $10 million case sues ALL of these defendants. We will do the same for Franklin County victims.
What Can You Recover?
Franklin County hazing victims and families can recover:
| Damage Type | Franklin County Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost wages | Time missed from work during recovery |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain from hazing injuries |
| Mental anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse |
| Punitive damages | To punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding) |
| Wrongful death | If hazing results in death |
Franklin County families: These damages can reach millions of dollars. Our current case seeks $10 million for a single victim. The same compensation is available to Franklin County families.
π The Clock Is Ticking: Franklin County Statute of Limitations
Mississippi law gives you a limited time to file a hazing lawsuit:
- Personal injury: 3 years from date of injury
- Wrongful death: 3 years from date of death
Franklin County families: Do not wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire.
Our client in Houston was hospitalized in November 2025. We filed his lawsuit within weeks. That’s how quickly you need to act.
π‘οΈ Why Franklin County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case β Right Now
We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re in the fight right now.
- $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- Client hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Waterboarding, forced eating, 500 squats β the same abuse happening near Franklin County
- Media coverage from ABC13, KHOU, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
Franklin County families: This isn’t theoretical. We are actively fighting this battle. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to Franklin County victims.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys β We Know Their Playbook
Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys. We know exactly how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies will try to deny your claim.
They will say:
- “He consented to participate”
- “It was just tradition”
- “The university didn’t know”
- “It wasn’t that serious”
We know how to defeat these arguments. We’ve seen their playbook β and now we use it against them.
3. Federal Court Authority β We Can Sue Anywhere
While based in Texas, we are admitted to federal court and can pursue hazing cases nationwide β including in Mississippi.
- Federal court experience β U.S. District Court admission
- Dual-state bar licenses β Texas AND New York
- Willingness to travel β We come to Franklin County for your case
- Video consultations β Franklin County families can meet with us remotely
Distance is not a barrier. If your child was hazed in Franklin County or anywhere in Mississippi, we can represent you.
4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
We have recovered millions of dollars for injury victims, including:
- BP Texas City explosion litigation β Mass tort experience against major corporations
- Wrongful death cases β Representing families who lost loved ones
- Catastrophic injury cases β Life-altering injuries like rhabdomyolysis
- Hazing-specific experience β Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, rhabdomyolysis cases
Franklin County families: We know how to build hazing cases. We know how to win. And we know how to get you the compensation you deserve.
5. We Work on Contingency β $0 Upfront for Franklin County Families
We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:
- $0 upfront β You pay nothing to hire us
- $0 unless we win β We only get paid if you get paid
- No risk β If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
Franklin County families: You can’t afford NOT to hire us. We level the playing field against powerful institutions.
6. We Speak Spanish β Se Habla EspaΓ±ol
Many hazing victims in Franklin County come from Hispanic families. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish:
- Consultations in Spanish
- Case communications in Spanish
- Document translation
- Courtroom interpretation coordination
No language barriers. No cultural misunderstandings. Just aggressive representation for Franklin County families.
π What Franklin County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed
IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get medical attention | Document injuries; protect health |
| 2 | Preserve all evidence | Photos, texts, social media, witness info |
| 3 | Do NOT talk to the organization | They will try to control the narrative |
| 4 | Do NOT post on social media | Anything you post can be used against you |
| 5 | Call Attorney 911 immediately | 1-888-ATTY-911 β evidence disappears fast |
| 6 | Report to authorities | File police report; consider Title IX report |
EVIDENCE TO PRESERVE
Franklin County families: Save everything. This evidence wins cases.
| Evidence Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical records | Hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house |
| Communications | Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails |
| Witness info | Names and contact info of other victims/witnesses |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules |
| Financial records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition costs |
| Academic records | Impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships |
Do NOT delete anything. Even if it seems unimportant, it may be critical evidence.
π― Our Strategy for Franklin County Hazing Cases
1. Identify ALL Liable Parties
We don’t just sue the local chapter. We sue everyone responsible:
- Local fraternity/sorority chapter
- National organization
- University
- Chapter officers
- Individual members
- Alumni/hosts
Franklin County families: The more defendants we sue, the more sources of compensation we create.
2. Build a Rock-Solid Case with Evidence
We work with:
- Medical experts to document injuries
- Hazing culture experts to explain organizational failure
- Economic experts to calculate damages
- Investigators to gather evidence
- Forensic specialists to recover deleted communications
Franklin County families: We know what evidence wins hazing cases. We know how to get it.
3. Negotiate from Strength
We don’t beg for settlements. We demand them.
- Our current case seeks $10 million
- We have media coverage on our side
- We have pattern evidence (prior hazing incidents)
- We have former insurance defense insight
Franklin County families: We know what your case is worth. We won’t accept lowball offers.
4. Go to Trial if Necessary
Most cases settle. But if defendants won’t pay what your case is worth, we will take them to trial.
- Juries hate hazing
- Juries award millions for hazing victims
- Our attorneys have trial experience
- We’re not afraid to fight
Franklin County families: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. That’s how we get the best results.
π Franklin County Families: Call Now β Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Franklin County or anywhere in Mississippi, call us immediately.
π 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultation β no obligation
- Video consultations β meet with us remotely
- Travel to Franklin County β for depositions and meetings
- $0 upfront β we work on contingency
- Aggressive representation β we fight for maximum compensation
Franklin County parents: The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears. Your legal rights expire. Call us now.
β Frequently Asked Questions from Franklin County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: We understand the fear of retribution. Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward. But here’s what you need to know:
- The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove your case
- Evidence disappears β texts get deleted, witnesses forget
- Your legal rights expire β Mississippi has a 3-year statute of limitations
- Other students are at risk β if you don’t report it, the hazing will continue
We can protect your child’s identity during the investigation. We can also help them understand their legal rights and the potential consequences for the perpetrators.
Call us for a confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
A: NO. Mississippi law is clear:
Consent is not a defense to hazing.
The Mississippi Legislature specifically anticipated this argument and explicitly eliminated it. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, they cannot consent to being a victim of a crime.
The fraternity will try this argument. They’ll say:
- “He knew what he was signing up for”
- “He could have left at any time”
- “He consented to the activities”
Don’t let them get away with it. We know how to defeat this defense.
Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue them?
A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing, they can be held liable.
In our current case:
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity
- They failed to implement effective oversight
Universities near Franklin County have the same responsibilities. If they fail to protect students, they can and should be held accountable.
Q: My child was hazed at a private university. Can we still sue?
A: YES. Private universities have the same duty to protect students as public universities. In fact, private universities often have more resources and insurance coverage than public institutions.
Our current $10 million case is against a public university (University of Houston). We have the experience to handle cases against private universities as well.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus? Can we still sue the university?
A: YES. Universities can be held liable for off-campus hazing if:
- The organization is officially recognized by the university
- The university knew or should have known about the hazing
- The university failed to take action to prevent it
In our current case, hazing occurred at:
- A university-owned fraternity house
- A private residence (former member’s home)
We sued the university for both locations. We will do the same for Franklin County cases.
Q: My child is an international student. Can we still pursue a case?
A: YES. Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We represent international students and understand the unique challenges they face.
We offer:
- Consultations in multiple languages
- Sensitivity to cultural concerns
- Guidance on how legal action may impact visa status
- Protection of privacy
Franklin County international students: You have the same rights as any other student. We will fight for you.
Q: How much is my Franklin County hazing case worth?
Every case is unique, but hazing cases can be worth millions. Factors that increase case value include:
| Factor | How It Affects Value |
|---|---|
| Severity of injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage = higher value |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression = higher value |
| Wrongful death | If hazing results in death = highest value |
| University knowledge | If university knew about prior hazing = higher value |
| Cover-up attempts | If defendants tried to hide evidence = punitive damages |
| Pattern of abuse | If this isn’t the first incident = higher value |
Our current case seeks $10 million for a single victim. The same compensation is available for Franklin County families.
Q: Will my child have to testify in court?
Most cases settle before trial. But if your case goes to trial, your child may need to testify.
We prepare our clients thoroughly for testimony. We also work to minimize the emotional impact by:
- Using video depositions when possible
- Requesting closed courtrooms for sensitive testimony
- Providing emotional support throughout the process
- Working with therapists to address trauma
Franklin County families: We understand how difficult this can be. We will support your child every step of the way.
Q: How long will my Franklin County hazing case take?
Every case is different, but hazing cases typically take:
| Case Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Minor injuries, clear liability | 6-12 months |
| Moderate injuries, single defendant | 12-18 months |
| Severe injuries, multiple defendants | 18-36 months |
| Wrongful death, institutional defendants | 2-4 years |
Our current $10 million case was filed within weeks of the hazing incident. We act quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
π₯ The Franklin County Hazing Epidemic: Enough Is Enough
Franklin County families: Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s not tradition. It’s not harmless fun.
It is abuse. It is assault. Sometimes, it is torture.
And it has to stop.
Universities near Franklin County know hazing happens. National fraternities know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. But they choose not to β until someone gets hospitalized or dies.
That’s where we come in.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting back.
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit
- We have former insurance defense insight
- We have federal court authority
- We have multi-million dollar results
- We have the will to fight
Franklin County hazing victims: You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to be afraid. You don’t have to let them get away with it.
Call us. We will fight for you.
π 1-888-ATTY-911
Franklin County families: The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears. Your legal rights expire. Call us now.
