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Cleveland County (Earth/North America/United States/North Carolina/Cleveland County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense Attorney | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 24, 2026 16 min read
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Hazing Victim Legal Support in Cleveland County, NC – Attorney 911

🚨 Hazing Is Not Tradition – It’s Abuse. We Fight for Cleveland County Families.

If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization in Cleveland County, North Carolina, you are not alone. Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage—it is physical and psychological abuse that can lead to severe injuries, lifelong trauma, and even death.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. This same fraternity—and others like it—operate near Cleveland County, and we are committed to holding them accountable.

Cleveland County families deserve justice. We will fight for you.

📍 Why Cleveland County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Actively Fighting Hazing – Right Now

  • We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
  • Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure after being subjected to waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and physical abuse.
  • This isn’t just legal theory—we are in the courtroom fighting this battle today.

2. Nationwide Representation – We Serve Cleveland County

While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Cleveland County, North Carolina. We have:
Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)
Willingness to travel to Cleveland County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Remote consultations for Cleveland County families who cannot travel

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—worked for insurance defense firms before switching sides to represent victims. We know:

  • How insurance companies undervalue claims
  • How universities and fraternities try to shift blame
  • How to counter their tactics and maximize your compensation

We use their own strategies against them.

4. Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Litigation

  • BP Texas City Explosion Litigation – Represented victims in one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history.
  • $10+ Million Hazing Lawsuit – Currently litigating against Pi Kappa Phi and UH.
  • Multi-Million Dollar Settlements – Recovered millions for victims of trucking accidents, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries.
  • Criminal Defense Experience – Know how to navigate parallel criminal investigations (hazing is a crime in North Carolina).

5. We Fight for Maximum Compensation – Including Punitive Damages

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:
Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages & earning capacity
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct like waterboarding)
Wrongful death damages (if hazing resulted in death)

We don’t settle for lowball offers. We fight for what you deserve.

6. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

We understand that Cleveland County families may be concerned about legal fees. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis:

  • $0 upfront – You pay nothing to hire us.
  • We only get paid if we win your case.
  • No risk to you – If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing.

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

Hazing is any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation into an organization. In North Carolina, hazing is a criminal offense under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35.

Examples of Hazing That Can Lead to Lawsuits in Cleveland County:

Physical Abuse Forced Consumption Psychological Torture Sleep Deprivation Servitude
Beatings, paddling Forced alcohol/drugs Humiliation, threats All-night activities Forced errands
Waterboarding Eating until vomiting Sexual degradation Early morning drills Cleaning duties
Extreme exercise Chugging contests Isolation Late-night meetings Driving members
Branding/burning Non-food substances Verbal abuse Sleep deprivation Other servitude

Even if your child “consented,” North Carolina law says consent is NOT a defense.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Cleveland County?

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, including:

Defendant Why They’re Liable Example from Our Case
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized hazing Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter (UH)
National Fraternity/Sorority Organization Failed to supervise; knew of hazing culture Pi Kappa Phi National (150+ chapters)
University/College Failed to prevent hazing despite knowledge University of Houston (owned the fraternity house)
Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster) Directed hazing activities Named in our $10M lawsuit
Individual Members Participated in hazing Multiple members named
Alumni/Hosts Allowed hazing at their homes Former member + spouse named
Housing Corporations Owned property where hazing occurred Beta Nu Housing Corporation

We sue EVERYONE responsible.

💰 What Compensation Can Cleveland County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing cases can result in substantial financial recovery, including:

1. Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

  • Medical expenses (ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
  • Lost wages (if victim missed work due to injuries)
  • Educational disruption (tuition reimbursement, lost scholarships)
  • Future medical costs (dialysis, kidney transplants, ongoing therapy)

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

  • Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
  • Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
  • Humiliation & shame from hazing activities
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)

3. Punitive Damages (To Punish the Defendants)

  • Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or outrageous
  • Designed to deter future hazing
  • Can exceed $1 million in egregious cases

Our $10 million demand is based on precedent—other hazing cases have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.

📋 What Should Cleveland County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?

✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
  • Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.
  • Medical records are critical evidence.

✅ Step 2: Document Everything

  • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any evidence.
  • Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
  • Write down witness names (other pledges, bystanders).
  • Do NOT delete anything—even old messages can be evidence.

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

  • They will try to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
  • They may ask you to sign documents that waive your rights.
  • Anything you say can be used against you.

✅ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

  • North Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
  • Evidence disappears quickly—witnesses forget, messages get deleted.
  • The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

✅ Step 5: Preserve Evidence

  • Do not post on social media about the incident.
  • Do not confront the fraternity—let us handle it.
  • Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Cleveland County & Beyond

Hazing is not just a problem at big-name universities—it happens right here in Cleveland County, at:

  • Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC)
  • Nearby colleges in the Charlotte region (UNC Charlotte, Winthrop University, etc.)
  • Local high schools (some sports teams and clubs engage in hazing)

📊 Shocking Hazing Statistics (2025)

  • 55% of college students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
  • 40% of student athletes report being hazed.
  • Since 2000, at least one hazing death has occurred every year in the U.S.
  • 95% of hazing victims do NOT report it due to fear of retaliation.

💔 Hazing Deaths & Serious Injuries – Real Cases

Victim University Fraternity Outcome
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha $10.1M settlement
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta $6.1M jury verdict
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi $110M+ settlement
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Settlement (confidential)
Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi $10M lawsuit (pending)

These cases prove that hazing victims and families CAN win—and win big.

🔥 What Makes Our Firm Different for Cleveland County Hazing Cases?

1. We Are Not Afraid of Big Institutions

  • Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers fighting to minimize claims.
  • We have beaten them before—and we will do it again.
  • We don’t back down from insurance companies or corporate defendants.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

  • Both of our attorneys worked for insurance defense firms before switching sides.
  • We know how they think, how they negotiate, and how they try to deny claims.
  • We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. We Handle the Entire Legal Process for You

  • No need to deal with the fraternity, university, or insurance companies—we handle all communication.
  • We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build your case.
  • We negotiate aggressively—if they don’t offer a fair settlement, we take them to trial.

4. We Travel to Cleveland County

  • We come to Cleveland County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
  • We offer video consultations for families who cannot travel.
  • You don’t have to come to Texas—we come to you.

5. We Fight for More Than Money – We Fight for Change

  • Hazing cases can lead to policy changes at universities.
  • They can shut down dangerous chapters permanently.
  • They can prevent future tragedies for other Cleveland County families.

This isn’t just about compensation—it’s about justice.

📞 Cleveland County Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Cleveland County, North Carolina, do not wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

🚨 24/7 Hazing Legal Emergency Hotline:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

📧 Email:

📧 ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Website:

🌐 www.attorney911.com/hazing

📍 Serving Cleveland County & Nationwide

  • Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC)
  • Nearby colleges (UNC Charlotte, Winthrop University, etc.)
  • High school sports teams & clubs (if hazing occurred)
  • Any organization (fraternities, sororities, bands, ROTC, etc.)

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Cleveland County Families

1. What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

North Carolina law says consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, hazing is still illegal.

2. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Hazing is illegal anywhere—on campus, off campus, at a private residence, or online.

3. What if the fraternity or university threatens my child?

🚨 This is retaliation—and it’s illegal. We will protect your child and hold the organization accountable for any intimidation.

4. How much is my hazing case worth?

💰 It depends on the severity of the injuries, the defendants’ assets, and the evidence. Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million, and other cases have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts.

5. What if the fraternity or university offers a settlement?

⚠️ Do NOT accept any settlement without consulting us. Insurance companies and universities lowball victims—we negotiate for maximum compensation.

6. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

North Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait—evidence disappears quickly.

7. Can we sue if the hazing didn’t cause physical injuries?

Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is also compensable. We pursue damages for emotional distress, humiliation, and mental anguish.

8. What if my child was hazed but is afraid to come forward?

🔒 We protect our clients’ identities and safety. Many hazing victims fear retaliation—we ensure their rights are protected.

9. Can we sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?

Both. National organizations know about hazing risks and fail to prevent them. We sue everyone responsible.

10. What if the hazing happened at a high school in Cleveland County?

Yes. Hazing in high school sports or clubs is also illegal. We represent victims of all ages.

📢 To Cleveland County Fraternities & Universities: We Are Watching

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and every other fraternity operating near Cleveland County:

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi for waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and physical abuse that hospitalized a student.

If your chapter is hazing students in Cleveland County, we will find out. And we will sue you.

  • We track 125+ IRS-registered Greek organizations in North Carolina.
  • We know your legal names, EINs, and corporate structures.
  • We have former insurance defense attorneys who know how to dismantle your defenses.
  • We have won multi-million dollar verdicts against fraternities and universities.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston was shut down after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Justice for Cleveland County Hazing Victims – We Will Fight for You

Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse. If your child has been harmed, you have legal rights.

Attorney 911 is here to help Cleveland County families seek justice.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 www.attorney911.com/hazing

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

🚨 Cleveland County families: Enough is enough. Let’s hold them accountable.

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