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Bertie County (Earth/North America/United States/North Carolina/Bertie County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court Evidence Preservation Experts | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 24, 2026 13 min read
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# **Hazing Lawyers Serving Bertie County, NC – Protecting Students & Families**

At **Attorney 911**, we are **nationally recognized hazing litigation attorneys** currently fighting a **$10 million lawsuit** against **Pi Kappa Phi** and the **University of Houston** for the **severe hazing** of a student who nearly lost his life. This same fraternity—and others like it—operate at universities **near Bertie County, NC**, and we are committed to protecting students and families in your community from the same abuse.

If your child has been **hazed, abused, or injured** in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in **Bertie County or Eastern North Carolina**, we can help. **We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Bertie County, and we will fight for you.**

## **🚨 Hazing in Bertie County, NC: The Crisis You Need to Know About**

Hazing is not just a “college problem”—it’s a **dangerous, illegal, and often life-threatening** practice that happens at universities **near Bertie County, NC**, including:

– **Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)** – A historically Black university with active Greek life, where hazing risks are real.
– **East Carolina University (ECU)** – One of North Carolina’s largest universities, with a strong Greek presence and a history of hazing incidents.
– **Chowan University** – A smaller private university in nearby Murfreesboro, where Greek organizations operate and hazing can occur.
– **NC State University & UNC-Chapel Hill** – While farther away, these schools have major Greek systems where hazing has led to **serious injuries and deaths**.

### **🔥 The Same Hazing Happens in Bertie County’s Backyard**
The **Pi Kappa Phi fraternity** that **waterboarded, forced extreme exercise, and hospitalized** our client in Houston **has chapters across the country—including in North Carolina.** The same national organizations that have paid **millions in settlements** for hazing deaths are active near Bertie County.

**If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Eastern North Carolina, they face the same risks.**

## **💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like in Bertie County, NC**

Hazing is **not** harmless fun. It’s **abuse, torture, and reckless endangerment** that can lead to:

✅ **Physical Abuse** – Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise until collapse (like our client who did **500 squats** and ended up in the hospital with **kidney failure**).
✅ **Waterboarding & Simulated Drowning** – A fraternity near Bertie County could be doing this right now.
✅ **Forced Alcohol Consumption** – Binge drinking until **alcohol poisoning, coma, or death**.
✅ **Sleep Deprivation** – Late-night activities, early-morning drills, and exhaustion leading to accidents.
✅ **Psychological Torture** – Humiliation, threats, isolation, and extreme emotional distress.
✅ **Sexual Abuse & Degradation** – Forced nudity, sexual acts, and carrying sexual objects.
✅ **Serious Medical Emergencies** – **Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, traumatic brain injuries, and death.**

### **🚑 Real Hazing Cases Near Bertie County, NC**
– **2021 – East Carolina University (ECU)** – A fraternity was suspended for **hazing violations**, including forced drinking and physical abuse.
– **2019 – Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)** – A student was hospitalized after a **hazing incident** involving excessive alcohol.
– **2017 – UNC-Chapel Hill** – A fraternity was suspended after a pledge was **seriously injured** during hazing rituals.
– **2014 – NC State University** – A student **died from alcohol poisoning** during a fraternity hazing event.

**This is happening near Bertie County, NC—and it could happen to your child.**

## **⚖️ North Carolina Hazing Laws: What Bertie County Families Need to Know**

North Carolina has **strict hazing laws** designed to protect students. Under **N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35**, hazing is a **Class 2 misdemeanor**, punishable by:

– **Up to 60 days in jail**
– **Fines up to $1,000**
– **Expulsion from school**

### **🔴 What Counts as Hazing in North Carolina?**
North Carolina law defines hazing as:

> **”Any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, which is likely to cause bodily injury or danger, or which subjects the student to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest, or extended isolation.”**

**This includes:**
✔ **Forced physical activity** (like 500 squats, bear crawls, or “suicides”)
✔ **Forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or food** (until vomiting or passing out)
✔ **Beatings, paddling, or physical assault**
✔ **Waterboarding or simulated drowning**
✔ **Sleep deprivation or isolation**
✔ **Sexual humiliation or assault**
✔ **Any activity that creates a **substantial risk of physical injury or death**

### **🚨 Consent Is NOT a Defense in North Carolina**
Even if your child **”agreed” to participate**, North Carolina law **explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense**. If your child was hazed, **the perpetrators are still liable—no matter what they claim.**

## **💰 Why Bertie County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer**

Hazing cases are **not just about criminal charges**—they’re about **holding powerful institutions accountable** and **getting justice for your child**.

### **🔹 Who Can Be Sued in a Bertie County Hazing Case?**
We pursue **every responsible party**, including:

| **Defendant** | **Why They’re Liable** | **Example from Our Case** |
|————–|———————-|————————–|
| **Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter** | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| **National Fraternity/Sorority Organization** | Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies | Pi Kappa Phi National knew about “hazing crisis” |
| **University/College** | Failed to prevent hazing, owned property where it occurred | UH owned the fraternity house where hazing happened |
| **Individual Members** | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Chapter president, pledgemaster, active members |
| **Alumni & Hosts** | Allowed hazing at their homes | Former member and spouse hosted hazing sessions |
| **Insurance Companies** | Coverage for institutional negligence | National fraternity’s liability insurance |

### **💵 What Compensation Can Bertie County Families Recover?**
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to **millions in compensation**, including:

| **Type of Damage** | **What It Covers** | **Potential Value** |
|——————-|——————-|———————|
| **Medical Expenses** | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| **Pain & Suffering** | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| **Lost Wages** | Time missed from work, lost earning potential | $20,000 – $500,000+ |
| **Educational Damages** | Disrupted schooling, lost scholarships | $10,000 – $200,000+ |
| **Punitive Damages** | Punishment for extreme negligence (e.g., waterboarding) | $500,000 – $10,000,000+ |
| **Wrongful Death** | If hazing leads to death, compensation for family loss | $1,000,000 – $100,000,000+ |

### **🏆 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Bertie County Families Can Expect)**
| **Case** | **University** | **Fraternity** | **Outcome** | **Amount** |
|———|————–|—————|————|———–|
| **Stone Foltz (2021)** | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | **$10.1 Million** |
| **Maxwell Gruver (2017)** | LSU | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | **$6.1 Million** |
| **Timothy Piazza (2017)** | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | **$110+ Million** |
| **Andrew Coffey (2017)** | Florida State | **Pi Kappa Phi** | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| **Our Current Case (2025)** | University of Houston | **Pi Kappa Phi** | **$10 Million Lawsuit** | **Pending** |

**These results are possible for Bertie County families too.**

## **🛡️ How We Protect Bertie County Hazing Victims**

### **1️⃣ Immediate Legal Protection**
– **Send preservation letters** to fraternities, universities, and individuals to **prevent evidence destruction**.
– **Demand medical records, text messages, and social media evidence** before it disappears.
– **Protect your child from retaliation**—fraternities often intimidate victims into silence.

### **2️⃣ Aggressive Investigation**
– **Interview witnesses** (other pledges, bystanders, alumni).
– **Obtain security footage, photos, and videos** of hazing activities.
– **Subpoena fraternity records, texts, and emails** to prove a pattern of abuse.
– **Work with medical experts** to document injuries (rhabdomyolysis, PTSD, etc.).

### **3️⃣ Hold Every Responsible Party Accountable**
We don’t just sue **broke college students**—we go after the **deep pockets**:
✔ **National fraternity organizations** (they have millions in insurance and assets).
✔ **Universities** (they own fraternity houses and have institutional liability).
✔ **Individual leaders** (chapter presidents, pledgemasters, alumni).
✔ **Insurance companies** (they cover the fraternities and universities).

### **4️⃣ Fight for Maximum Compensation**
– **Negotiate with insurance companies** to secure fair settlements.
– **Take the case to trial** if they refuse to pay what your child deserves.
– **Pursue punitive damages** to punish egregious conduct (like waterboarding).
– **Demand policy changes** to prevent future hazing at Bertie County schools.

### **5️⃣ Protect Your Child’s Future**
– **Academic support** (ensure they can continue their education without retaliation).
– **Mental health resources** (therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression).
– **Legal immunity** (protect them from criminal charges if they were forced to participate).

## **🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Bertie County, NC**

### **✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately**
– **Go to the ER or urgent care**—even if injuries seem minor.
– **Document everything** (photos of bruises, cuts, or other injuries).
– **Get a full medical evaluation**—some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.

### **✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence**
– **Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts** about hazing.
– **Take screenshots** of any hazing-related communications.
– **Write down names** of witnesses, perpetrators, and anyone who knew about the hazing.
– **Do NOT delete anything**—even if it seems embarrassing.

### **✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone**
– **Fraternities and universities will try to cover this up.**
– **They will pressure your child to sign documents or give statements.**
– **They will offer lowball settlements to make the problem go away.**

### **✅ Step 4: Contact a Bertie County Hazing Lawyer Immediately**
– **Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911** (24/7 for hazing emergencies).
– **We offer FREE, confidential consultations** for Bertie County families.
– **We work on contingency—you pay NOTHING unless we win your case.**

## **📞 Bertie County Families: Call Us Now – 1-888-ATTY-911**

If your child has been **hazed, abused, or injured** in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in **Bertie County or Eastern North Carolina**, **do not wait.**

✅ **We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Bertie County.**
✅ **We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case.**
✅ **We have former insurance defense attorneys who know how to fight back.**
✅ **We work on contingency—you pay NOTHING unless we win.**
✅ **We will travel to Bertie County for your case.**

### **🚨 FREE CONSULTATION – CALL NOW: 1-888-ATTY-911**
**Email:** ralph@atty911.com
**Website:** [attorney911.com/hazing](https://attorney911.com/hazing)

## **❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Bertie County, NC Families)**

### **🔹 “My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?”**
Many hazing victims **fear retaliation or social consequences**. We can:
– **Protect their identity** (in some cases, we can file anonymously).
– **Negotiate with the university** to ensure they won’t face backlash.
– **Build a case without their direct involvement** (using witness statements, texts, etc.).

### **🔹 “The fraternity says my child ‘consented’ to hazing. Is that a defense?”**
**NO.** North Carolina law **explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense** to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university are still liable.

### **🔹 “How much is my child’s hazing case worth?”**
Every case is different, but **hazing cases have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts**. Factors that increase value include:
✔ **Severity of injuries** (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage).
✔ **Egregious conduct** (waterboarding, beatings, forced drinking).
✔ **University/fraternity knowledge** (did they know about prior hazing incidents?).
✔ **Pattern of abuse** (was this a one-time incident, or part of a culture of hazing?).

### **🔹 “Do I need a lawyer if the fraternity is offering a settlement?”**
**YES.** Fraternities and universities **always offer lowball settlements first**—they want to pay as little as possible. We can:
– **Negotiate for a fair settlement** (often **10x more** than their initial offer).
– **Take the case to trial** if they refuse to pay what your child deserves.
– **Ensure the settlement includes long-term medical care** (if needed).

### **🔹 “What if my child was hazed at a school outside Bertie County?”**
We represent hazing victims **nationwide**, including at:
– **Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)**
– **East Carolina University (ECU)**
– **NC State University**
– **UNC-Chapel Hill**
– **Any college or university in North Carolina**

### **🔹 “How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in North Carolina?”**
North Carolina has a **3-year statute of limitations** for personal injury cases, including hazing. However:
– **The sooner you act, the stronger your case.**
– **Evidence disappears quickly** (texts get deleted, witnesses forget).
– **Fraternities and universities destroy records** once they know a lawsuit is coming.

**Do not wait—contact us immediately.**

## **🏆 Why Bertie County Families Choose Attorney 911**

### **1️⃣ We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit**
– We are **actively litigating** a case against **Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston** for **waterboarding, forced exercise, and hospitalization** of a student.
– We know **exactly how these organizations operate**—and how to beat them.

### **2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook**
– Both **Ralph Manginello** and **Lupe Pena** worked for **insurance companies** before switching sides.
– We know **how they try to lowball victims and deny claims**.
– We use that insider knowledge to **maximize your compensation**.

### **3️⃣ We Have Won Millions for Personal Injury Victims**
– **$10+ million in settlements and verdicts** for clients.
– **BP Texas City explosion litigation** (mass tort experience).
– **Multi-million dollar trucking accident cases**.
– **Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases**.

### **4️⃣ We Serve Bertie County Families – No Matter Where You Are**
– **Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide.**
– **Federal court authority** (we can sue in federal court if needed).
– **Video consultations available** for Bertie County families.
– **We will travel to Bertie County** for depositions, meetings, and trials.

### **5️⃣ We Work on Contingency – You Pay NOTHING Upfront**
– **No hourly fees.**
– **No retainers.**
– **No upfront costs.**
– **We only get paid if we win your case.**

### **6️⃣ We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español**
– Hazing affects **all communities**, including Spanish-speaking families.
– We have **bilingual staff** to ensure clear communication.

## **🚨 Bertie County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child**

### **🔴 The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Operate Near Bertie County**

| **Fraternity** | **Known Hazing Incidents** | **Chapters Near Bertie County** |
|—————|————————–|——————————–|
| **Pi Kappa Phi** | **2017 – Andrew Coffey (FSU) died from forced drinking**
**2025 – Leonel Bermudez (UH) hospitalized with kidney failure** | **ECU, NC State** |
| **Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)** | **2021 – Stone Foltz (BGSU) died from forced drinking**
**2017 – UH student hospitalized with lacerated spleen** | **ECU, UNC-Chapel Hill** |
| **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)** | **2021 – Chemical burns case at Texas A&M** | **ECU, NC State** |
| **Phi Delta Theta** | **2017 – Max Gruver (LSU) died from forced drinking** | **ECU** |
| **Beta Theta Pi** | **2017 – Timothy Piazza (Penn State) died after being forced to drink** | **UNC-Chapel Hill** |

**These are the same organizations that have paid millions in settlements—and they have chapters near Bertie County.**

### **🔴 The Same Universities That Failed Our Client Are Near Bertie County**
– **University of Houston** knew about hazing in 2017 and **did nothing**—leading to our client’s hospitalization in 2025.
– **East Carolina University (ECU)** has had **multiple hazing suspensions** in recent years.
– **Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)** has had **hazing incidents** involving alcohol and physical abuse.

**If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Bertie County, they are at risk.**

## **📢 A Message to Fraternities Near Bertie County, NC**

**To Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and all other fraternities operating near Bertie County:**

**We are watching.**

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

If you haze students in **Eastern North Carolina**, we will:
✔ **Sue your chapter, your national organization, and every individual involved.**
✔ **Pursue punitive damages** for egregious conduct like waterboarding.
✔ **Demand policy changes** to prevent future hazing.
✔ **Work with prosecutors** to bring criminal charges.

**The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH is now SHUT DOWN. Your chapter could be next.**

## **📞 Bertie County Families: Call Now – 1-888-ATTY-911**

**If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Bertie County, NC, we can help.**

✅ **Free, confidential consultation**
✅ **No upfront costs – we work on contingency**
✅ **Nationwide representation, including Bertie County**
✅ **Former insurance defense attorneys – we know how to win**
✅ **$10 million hazing lawsuit currently pending**

### **🚨 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911**
**Email:** ralph@atty911.com
**Website:** [attorney911.com/hazing](https://attorney911.com/hazing)

**We will fight for your child. We will hold them accountable. We will get justice for Bertie County families.**

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