Hazing Lawyer for Harlan County, Nebraska – Legal Help for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Victims
Hazing Happens in Harlan County – And It Can Destroy Lives
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Harlan County, you’re not alone. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate right here in Nebraska.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million 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 with chapters near Harlan County have a documented history of abuse—and we’re holding them accountable.
If your child has been hazed in Harlan County, we can help you fight back.
What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Nebraska)
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation rituals.” It’s abuse disguised as tradition—and in Nebraska, it’s against the law.
Examples of Hazing That Can Lead to Lawsuits:
✔ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, drinking games)
✔ Extreme physical punishment (excessive pushups, squats, bear crawls, paddling)
✔ Waterboarding or simulated drowning (a form of torture)
✔ Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, or other substances)
✔ Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, forced driving for members)
✔ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
✔ Sexual assault or harassment (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, inappropriate touching)
✔ Exposure to extreme temperatures (stripped in cold weather, left outside)
Nebraska Law on Hazing
Under Nebraska Revised Statute § 28-311.02, hazing is a criminal offense that can result in:
- Misdemeanor charges (up to 1 year in jail)
- Felony charges if serious bodily injury or death occurs
- Civil lawsuits for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
Most importantly: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Harlan County?
Hazing isn’t just the fault of a few “bad apples.” Universities, national fraternities, and individual members can all be sued.
Potential Defendants in a Harlan County Hazing Lawsuit:
- The Local Chapter – Directly organized and carried out the hazing.
- National Fraternity/Sorority – Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies despite knowing about dangerous traditions.
- University/College – If they knew (or should have known) about hazing and failed to stop it.
- Individual Members – Those who participated in or facilitated the abuse.
- Chapter Advisors & Alumni – If they knew about hazing and did nothing.
- Property Owners – If hazing occurred at a fraternity house or off-campus location.
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”)
- The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where abuse occurred)
- Individual fraternity members (for participating in the abuse)
The same legal strategy applies to Harlan County victims.
What Are the Consequences of Hazing?
Hazing doesn’t just cause embarrassment—it can ruin lives, cause permanent injuries, and even kill.
Physical Injuries from Hazing:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure) – This is what happened to our client in Houston.
- Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
- Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
- Broken bones & internal bleeding (from paddling or physical abuse)
- Hypothermia or heatstroke (from exposure to extreme temperatures)
- Sexual assault injuries
Psychological Trauma from Hazing:
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Anxiety & depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Trust issues & social isolation
- Academic decline (dropping out, failing classes)
Financial Consequences of Hazing:
- Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, medications)
- Lost wages (if the victim misses work)
- Tuition & academic losses (if the victim drops out or transfers)
- Future earning potential (if injuries affect career prospects)
Hazing victims deserve compensation for all of these damages—and we fight to get it.
How Much Is a Harlan County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing lawsuits can result in millions of dollars in compensation, depending on:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, wrongful death)
- Egregiousness of conduct (torture, sexual abuse, forced alcohol poisoning)
- Pattern of abuse (if the organization had prior hazing incidents)
- University/fraternity knowledge (if they knew and did nothing)
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement |
Our current case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – $10 million lawsuit for rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and torture.
If your child was hazed in Harlan County, they deserve the same justice.
What Should You Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Harlan County?
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
- Write down everything (dates, times, who was involved, what happened).
- Get witness names (other pledges, bystanders, friends).
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to control the narrative.
- They may pressure your child to sign waivers.
- They may destroy evidence.
- Anything you say can be used against you.
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Nebraska has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears fast (texts get deleted, witnesses forget).
- The sooner we act, the stronger your case.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Harlan County Hazing Case?
1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
- We’re actively litigating Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – the same fraternities operating near Harlan County.
- We know how to build these cases and how to win.
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 claims and how to beat them.
3. Aggressive, Nationwide Representation
- We travel to Harlan County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- We serve hazing victims across Nebraska and the U.S.
- We have federal court authority to pursue national fraternities.
4. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win
- $0 upfront fees.
- We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- You have nothing to lose by calling us.
5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
- Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
- We provide bilingual legal support for Spanish-speaking families.
6. Proven Results in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Cases
- Millions recovered for accident victims.
- Hundreds of cases won against insurance companies.
- Former BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience).
Fraternities Near Harlan County with Hazing Histories
The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases have chapters at universities near Harlan County, including:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Universities Near Harlan County with Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017 – death), Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025 – kidney failure) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021 – death), David Bogenberger (NIU, 2012 – death) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton University |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths, including chemical burns at Texas A&M | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017 – death) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017 – death) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| Sigma Chi | Recent hazing death at UT Austin (2025) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
If your child is pledging any of these fraternities near Harlan County, they are at risk.
What to Expect When You Call Attorney 911
- Free, Confidential Consultation – We’ll listen to your story and explain your legal options.
- Case Evaluation – We’ll determine if you have a strong claim.
- Evidence Preservation – We’ll make sure critical evidence isn’t destroyed.
- Negotiation with Defendants – We’ll demand fair compensation from the fraternity, university, and individuals.
- Lawsuit Filing (If Needed) – If they refuse to settle, we’ll take them to court.
- Trial (If Necessary) – We’re not afraid to fight in front of a jury.
We handle everything so you can focus on your child’s recovery.
Harlan County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is not your fault. It’s not “tradition.” It’s abuse—and the people who did this to your child must be held accountable.
We’ve seen what happens when fraternities and universities get away with hazing:
- More students get hurt.
- More families suffer.
- The cycle continues.
But when victims stand up, things change.
- $10 million settlements force fraternities to take notice.
- Criminal charges send abusers to jail.
- New laws are passed to protect students.
Your case can save the next Harlan County student from going through the same nightmare.
Call Now for a Free Consultation – 1-888-ATTY-911
If your child has been hazed in Harlan County, time is critical.
- Evidence disappears fast.
- The statute of limitations is running.
- The sooner we act, the stronger your case.
We’re here to fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
No fees unless we win. Available 24/7 for Harlan County hazing emergencies.
Harlan County Hazing Resources
- Nebraska Anti-Hazing Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.02
- Stop Hazing (National Organization): stophazing.org
- Hazing Prevention Network: hazingprevention.org
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Harlan County, Nebraska from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
