Hazing Victims in Pasquotank County: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice

Pasquotank County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect their students from harm. But tragically, hazing remains a dangerous reality at colleges across North Carolina and the nation — including at institutions near Pasquotank County.

If your child has been hazed — whether at Elizabeth City State University, College of The Albemarle, or any other school — you are not powerless. The law is on your side. And Attorney 911 is here to help.

We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. The same fraternities operate near Pasquotank County. The same negligence exists here. And we will bring the same fight to North Carolina.

What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

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

This includes:

• Forced physical activities (excessive exercise, calisthenics, “hell week”)
• Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or non-food substances
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse, humiliation, or degradation
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Being struck with objects (paddles, belts, etc.)
• Sexual harassment or assault
• Any activity that causes physical injury or emotional trauma

It doesn’t matter if your child “agreed” to participate. In North Carolina, consent is not a defense to hazing. The law protects students from dangerous rituals — no matter what they were told.

The Medical Reality: Hazing Can Be Deadly

Hazing isn’t just embarrassing or uncomfortable — it can cause life-threatening injuries.

In our current case, a University of Houston student was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis — a condition where muscle tissue breaks down and releases toxic proteins into the blood, causing acute kidney failure. He was forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises while being waterboarded with a garden hose and struck with wooden paddles.

Other serious medical consequences of hazing include:

• Alcohol poisoning (leading cause of hazing deaths)
• Traumatic brain injuries from falls or beatings
• Heat stroke or hypothermia from exposure
• Cardiac arrest from extreme physical exertion
• Permanent organ damage
• Severe psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Death

These aren’t “accidents.” They’re predictable, preventable outcomes of a culture that prioritizes “tradition” over safety.

Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Allowed It to Happen

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible — not just the individuals who carried it out.

In our current lawsuit, we are pursuing:

• The local fraternity chapter — for organizing and conducting the hazing
• The national fraternity organization — for failing to supervise despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”
• The university — for owning the fraternity house and failing to protect students despite prior hazing incidents
• Individual members — including the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and active participants
• Former members and their families — for allowing hazing at their homes

This same liability framework applies to Pasquotank County families. If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Pasquotank County, we can identify and pursue every responsible party.

What Can You Recover? Multi-Million Dollar Precedents Exist

Hazing cases are not “minor” legal matters. They are serious personal injury claims with the potential for substantial financial recovery.

Recent hazing verdicts and settlements include:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million jury verdict — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
• $4+ million — Adam Oakes (VCU, Delta Chi)

These results are possible for Pasquotank County families too.

Damages you can pursue include:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
• Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic setbacks)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing)

In North Carolina, there is no cap on pain and suffering damages — meaning juries can award what they believe is fair based on the evidence.

What Should You Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Pasquotank County?

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
• Document witness names and contact information
• Do not delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating
• Do not sign any documents from the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal advice

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

• Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to protect themselves — not you
• They will try to get statements from you that minimize their liability
• Anything you say can be used against you
• Refer all communications to your attorney

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, organizations destroy records
• The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be

Call us 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Pasquotank County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. Pasquotank County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Lawyers — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they value claims, delay cases, and try to deny liability. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue Your Case Anywhere

While we are based in Texas, we are admitted to U.S. District Court and can represent hazing victims nationwide — including in North Carolina. We will travel to Pasquotank County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. We Offer Video Consultations — You Don’t Have to Travel

Pasquotank County families can meet with us remotely via video call. We make it easy to get the legal help you need without leaving home.

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Pasquotank County Families

We understand that cost is a concern. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Our staff is bilingual. We can serve Spanish-speaking families in Pasquotank County without language barriers.

7. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including:

• $10.1 million in the Stone Foltz hazing case
• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• Successful outcomes in federal court litigation

8. We Will Travel to Pasquotank County

We are committed to serving hazing victims wherever they are. If your case requires in-person meetings, depositions, or trial, we will come to Pasquotank County.

The Same Fraternities Operate Near Pasquotank County

The fraternity that hospitalized our client — Pi Kappa Phi — has 150+ chapters across America, including in North Carolina. Other national fraternities with documented hazing histories also operate near Pasquotank County, including:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — involved in multiple hazing deaths
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) — $10.1 million settlement in Stone Foltz case
• Sigma Chi — recent hazing death lawsuit at UT Austin
• Phi Delta Theta — $6.1 million jury verdict in Maxwell Gruver case
• Beta Theta Pi — $110+ million settlement in Timothy Piazza case

These organizations have paid millions in settlements — and they will pay again for Pasquotank County victims.

Universities Near Pasquotank County Face the Same Liability

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter — but they failed to act.

Universities near Pasquotank County have the same responsibility. If they own fraternity houses, control Greek life, or have the authority to prevent hazing — they can be held liable when they fail to protect students.

North Carolina Law Supports Hazing Victims

North Carolina has strong laws protecting students from hazing:

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35 — Hazing

• Makes hazing a Class 2 misdemeanor
• Consent is not a defense — even if a student “agreed” to participate
• Applies to any organization (fraternities, sororities, sports teams, bands, clubs)

Civil Liability for Hazing

In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims can sue for:

• Negligence — failure to protect students
• Assault and battery — intentional harmful contact
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress — extreme and outrageous conduct
• Premises liability — if hazing occurred on university-owned property
• Negligent supervision — if the organization failed to monitor members

North Carolina has no cap on pain and suffering damages, meaning juries can award full and fair compensation for the harm caused.

What Happens Next? The Legal Process for Pasquotank County Families

1. Free Consultation

• We evaluate your case at no cost
• We explain your legal rights and options
• We answer all your questions

2. Investigation

• We gather evidence (medical records, communications, witness statements)
• We identify all responsible parties
• We build a strong case

3. Demand Letter

• We send a demand to the defendants outlining your damages
• We negotiate for a fair settlement

4. Litigation (if needed)

• If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we file a lawsuit
• We conduct discovery (interviews, document requests, depositions)
• We prepare for trial

5. Resolution

• Most cases settle before trial
• If necessary, we take your case to court and fight for a jury verdict

Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved. You will never be left wondering what’s happening with your case.

Pasquotank County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing thrives in secrecy. Victims often stay silent out of fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization. But silence only protects the abusers.

You have the power to break the cycle.

By coming forward, you protect not only your child — but every student who might be hazed in the future.

Attorney 911 is here to help. We will fight for you. We will hold them accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Pasquotank County family.

Call Now — Free Consultation for Pasquotank County Hazing Victims

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We serve Pasquotank County and all of North Carolina. Distance is not a barrier. Justice is our mission.

Pasquotank County Hazing Victims: The Time to Act Is Now

Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records.

Don’t let them silence you. Don’t let them get away with it.

Call Attorney 911 today. Let’s fight back together.