Hazing Victims in Wayne County, NC: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

Wayne County Families: Hazing Is Happening Near You — And It’s Time to Stop It

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Wayne County, North Carolina, you need to know: this is not tradition. This is not bonding. This is abuse — and it’s illegal.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for torturing a student so severely he was hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Wayne County. The same negligence exists at institutions in your community. And we will fight for Wayne County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.

You are not alone. Your child deserves justice. And we know how to get it.

What Is Hazing? The Reality in Wayne County, NC

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

This is what hazing looks like in North Carolina:

• Forced alcohol consumption — binge drinking, chugging, “drinking games” that lead to alcohol poisoning
• Extreme physical punishment — pushups, squats, running drills until exhaustion or collapse
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning — yes, this happens in North Carolina fraternities
• Forced eating until vomiting — consuming large amounts of food, milk, or peppercorns
• Sleep deprivation — late-night activities, early-morning tasks, disrupted sleep
• Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
• Being struck with objects — wooden paddles, belts, or other weapons
• Sexual humiliation or assault — forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual acts
• Exposure to extreme weather — forced to strip in cold weather, outdoor activities in heat

The result? Students end up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injuries — or worse.

The Hazing Crisis in North Carolina: It’s Happening Near Wayne County

North Carolina is home to dozens of universities and colleges where Greek life and student organizations thrive. Many of these institutions are near Wayne County, including:

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• North Carolina State University (NCSU)
• Duke University
• East Carolina University (ECU)
• Wake Forest University
• UNC Greensboro
• UNC Charlotte
• Appalachian State University
• Elon University
• And many more

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate right here in North Carolina. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma — these organizations have chapters across our state.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Wayne County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

The Landmark Case That Shows What’s Possible for Wayne County Families

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston — $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

What happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a young man from the Houston area, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse that sent him to the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, requiring four days of inpatient care.

The hazing included:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Forced to continue running while vomiting
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — the fraternity did nothing to stop
• Sleep deprivation — forced to drive members during early morning hours

The result:
Leonel could not walk. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure.

The defendants we’re suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National Organization — failed to supervise despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”
• Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter (UH) — directly organized and conducted the hazing
• University of Houston — owned the fraternity house where the torture occurred; failed to protect students despite a prior hazing incident in 2017
• Individual fraternity members — participated in or allowed the hazing

The message this case sends to Wayne County:
This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in North Carolina. The same fraternities. The same negligence. The same devastating injuries.

And we are fighting back — for Wayne County families too.

North Carolina Hazing Laws: What Wayne County Families Need to Know

North Carolina Anti-Hazing Statute (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35)

In North Carolina, hazing is a criminal offense. The law states:

“It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense.”

What constitutes hazing in North Carolina?
Any activity that:

• Endangers the physical health or safety of a student
• Is required for membership, affiliation, or initiation
• Is humiliating, degrading, or abusive

Penalties for hazing in North Carolina:

• Class 2 misdemeanor — up to 60 days in jail and fines
• If serious bodily injury or death occurs — Class H felony, punishable by up to 25 months in prison

Important for Wayne County families:

• Consent is not a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable
• Organizations can be held criminally liable — fraternities, sororities, and their leadership can face charges
• Universities can be held liable — if they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it

Civil Lawsuits: How Wayne County Families Can Get Compensation

While criminal charges punish the individuals responsible, civil lawsuits allow victims and families to seek financial compensation for the harm caused. This compensation can cover:

• Medical bills — hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, future treatment
• Lost wages — if the victim missed work or lost job opportunities
• Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional trauma
• Punitive damages — to punish the organization and deter future hazing

Who can be sued in Wayne County hazing cases?

• The local chapter — directly responsible for the hazing
• The national organization — failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies
• The university — if they knew or should have known about the hazing
• Individual members — those who participated in or allowed the hazing
• House corporations — if hazing occurred on their property
• Alumni — if they hosted or facilitated hazing activities

Precedent cases show that hazing lawsuits win big:

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

Wayne County families can achieve the same results.

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Wayne County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning) may not show symptoms right away
• Medical records are crucial evidence for your case
• If your child is showing signs of distress, take them to the ER

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Save everything related to the hazing:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — screenshots and backups
• Photos and videos — of injuries, hazing activities, locations
• Social media posts — from fraternity/sorority members about hazing
• Medical records — hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results
• Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
• Any physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing

Do NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in North Carolina
• Report to the university — file a Title IX complaint or report to student affairs
• Report to the national organization — if applicable

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

Do not try to handle this alone. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to protect themselves. You need an experienced hazing attorney on your side.

At Attorney 911, we offer:

• Free consultations for Wayne County hazing victims
• Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win your case
• Aggressive litigation — we sue everyone responsible, from individuals to national organizations
• Nationwide reach — we can represent Wayne County families no matter where the hazing occurred

Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Wayne County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — Right Now

We are not just talking about hazing — we are actively litigating a hazing case. We know how to build these cases, how to expose the truth, and how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they will try to deny or minimize your claim — and we know how to fight back.

3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, which means we can pursue hazing cases in federal court. This is critical when suing national organizations with chapters across the country.

4. Dual-State Bar Admission — Texas and New York

This gives us a strategic advantage when suing national fraternities and sororities headquartered in different states.

5. We Travel to Wayne County for Your Case

Distance is not a barrier. We will come to Wayne County for depositions, meetings, and trials as needed.

6. Bilingual Staff — Se Habla Español

We serve Spanish-speaking families in Wayne County without language barriers.

7. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have won millions of dollars for victims of personal injury, wrongful death, and institutional negligence.

8. We Care About Your Child — Not Just the Case

We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We are fighting for justice, not just compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions for Wayne County Families

Q: My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?

A: YES. In North Carolina, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable for any harm caused.

Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: NO. “Tradition” does not excuse illegal or dangerous behavior. If the activities were humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous, they qualify as hazing — regardless of how long they’ve been happening.

Q: Can we sue the university?

A: YES — if the university knew or should have known about the hazing. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to monitor Greek life, ignored complaints, or allowed hazing to occur on their property, they can be held liable.

Q: What if my child was hazed at a private university near Wayne County?

A: You can still sue. Private universities are not immune from liability. In fact, some private institutions have deeper pockets and more insurance coverage than public schools.

Q: How much is a hazing case worth?

A: It depends on the severity of the injuries and the conduct involved. Cases with severe physical injuries, psychological trauma, or wrongful death can result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Our current case is seeking $10 million.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically 3 years. However, it’s critical to act quickly — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records.

Q: Will my child face retaliation for speaking out?

A: Unfortunately, retaliation is a real risk. That’s why it’s so important to have an attorney who can protect your child’s identity and rights throughout the process. We take retaliation concerns very seriously.

Q: What if my child is afraid to come forward?

A: We understand. Hazing victims often fear social ostracism, academic consequences, or further retaliation. We can help protect your child’s privacy and ensure they are not identified publicly without their consent.

Fraternities and Sororities Near Wayne County: We Are Coming for You

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Wayne County, North Carolina:

We are watching.

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

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Nu, Delta Chi — if your chapter operates near Wayne County, know this:

• We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your insurance structures.
• We know your documented history of hazing deaths and injuries.
• We know how to sue your national organization, your local chapter, and your individual members.
• We have already shut down one Pi Kappa Phi chapter. Your chapter could be next.

Universities in North Carolina:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists on your campuses. Act now or face the same accountability.

Wayne County Families: It’s Time to Take Action

Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s not harmless fun. It’s abuse, and it’s illegal.

If your child has been hazed near Wayne County, North Carolina, you have legal rights. You have the right to hold the people and institutions responsible accountable. You have the right to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the trauma your child has endured.

At Attorney 911, we don’t just talk about hazing — we fight it in court. And we win.

Call us now for a free consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We are based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide — including Wayne County, North Carolina.

You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Together, We Can End Hazing in Wayne County

One brave victim can change everything. Your child’s case could save lives.

Let’s send a message that hazing will not be tolerated in Wayne County or anywhere in North Carolina.

Call Attorney 911 today. Justice starts now.