🚨 Hazing Victims in Auglaize County: You Are Not Alone

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Auglaize County, Ohio — we can help.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we know how to hold institutions accountable — no matter where in Ohio or America the hazing occurred.

Auglaize County families: This happens here too. The same national fraternities operate at universities near Auglaize County. The same hazing “traditions” exist in Ohio. And the same negligence allows it to continue.

You have rights. You have options. And you have allies who will fight for you.

🏢 Who We Are: Auglaize County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ is a Texas-based personal injury and hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we are headquartered in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide — including in Auglaize County, Ohio.

Why Auglaize County Families Choose Attorney 911:

Our Approach to Auglaize County Hazing Cases:

When a legal emergency hits — whether it’s on a Texas highway, an Auglaize County campus, or a fraternity house anywhere in Ohio or America — we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.

For Auglaize County hazing victims, our team:

• Builds cases with expert witnesses — medical professionals, Greek life culture experts, institutional negligence specialists
• Preserves evidence immediately — texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
• Negotiates from strength — we’re currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing case
• Travels to Auglaize County — for depositions, meetings, and trials when needed
• Provides remote consultations — Auglaize County families can video chat with our attorneys from home
• Fights for maximum compensation — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages

If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Auglaize County hazing victims, we take it to court.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Auglaize County and Beyond

This Isn’t Just Happening in Texas — It’s Happening Near Auglaize County

Auglaize County families, you need to know:

• Hazing is widespread — 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• Hazing is dangerous — Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
• Hazing is illegal — Ohio has anti-hazing laws with criminal penalties
• Hazing is preventable — Universities and national organizations know it happens and choose not to stop it

Our Current Case: A Warning for Auglaize County

Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. — $10 million lawsuit filed November 21, 2025

What Happened:

• Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student not yet enrolled at University of Houston, was hazed during Fall 2025 pledge activities
• Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls — until his muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting — then forced to continue running
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Why This Matters to Auglaize County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America — including near Auglaize County
• The same fraternity that did this in Texas operates in Ohio
• The same “traditions” exist at Auglaize County-area universities
• Universities near Auglaize County face the same liability failures as UH
• If your child is being hazed in Auglaize County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston

⚖️ Ohio Hazing Laws: What Auglaize County Families Need to Know

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing in Ohio:

“Hazing” means doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person.

Ohio’s Law is Clear:

• Hazing is illegal — it’s a crime in Ohio
• Consent is not a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal
• Universities must report hazing — failure to report is also a crime

Criminal Penalties in Ohio:

Auglaize County Families: If your child was hazed and suffered physical harm, the perpetrators could face FELONY charges.

Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages

Ohio law allows hazing victims to sue for:

• Medical expenses — past and future
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional
• Lost wages — if hazing affected employment
• Educational disruption — if hazing affected academic performance
• Punitive damages — to punish egregious conduct

Auglaize County families can sue:

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• The national organization
• The university
• Individual members
• Housing corporations
• Alumni who facilitated hazing

💰 Precedent Cases: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Hazing Cases Win

These cases prove that hazing victims and families can — and do — win multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.

Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• Total Settlement: $10.1 million
• What Happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning
• Why It Matters for Auglaize County: Our $10 million demand is directly in line with this precedent

Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• Jury Verdict: $6.1 million
• What Happened: Forced drinking during “Bible Study” pledge event; BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit)
• Why It Matters for Auglaize County: Juries award millions for hazing deaths and injuries

Timothy Piazza — Penn State University / Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• Settlement: $110+ million (estimated)
• What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911
• Why It Matters for Auglaize County: Strong evidence leads to massive outcomes

Auglaize County Families: These cases show that hazing lawsuits WIN. The same legal strategies apply to Ohio cases.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Auglaize County Hazing?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can — and should — be held accountable.

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organizes and conducts hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) have leadership responsibility
• Individual members participate and fail to stop hazing

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Sets policies and culture
• Has power to investigate and discipline chapters
• Often has deep pockets (insurance, assets)
• In our case, Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” and failed to stop it

3. The University

• Has duty to protect students
• Often owns or controls fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability)
• Has power to regulate, suspend, or expel organizations
• In our case, University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred

4. Individual Members

• Each person who participated in hazing can be sued individually
• Personal assets and homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage
• In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was held personally liable for $6.5 million

5. Housing Corporations

• Own fraternity/sorority houses
• Have premises liability for what happens on their property

6. Alumni

• Often host hazing events at their homes
• Can be held liable for premises liability and negligent supervision

📋 What Auglaize County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs

Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety

• Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately
• If medical attention is needed, call 911 or go to the emergency room

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Document everything — this is critical for your case.

DO NOT:

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

Step 3: Seek Medical Attention

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Medical records create documentation trail
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately

Step 4: Report the Incident

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in Ohio
• File a Title IX report with the university (if applicable)
• Report to the national organization (if Greek life involved)

Step 5: Contact an Attorney Immediately

• 2-year statute of limitations in Ohio for personal injury claims
• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget or are intimidated
• Organizations destroy records

Auglaize County Families: Call Attorney 911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.

💔 Common Types of Hazing Injuries in Auglaize County

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It causes real, lasting harm.

Physical Injuries:

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure (like our client)
• Alcohol poisoning — from forced binge drinking
• Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones — from physical abuse
• Burns — from branding or hot objects
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia — from exposure to extreme temperatures
• Internal injuries — from forced consumption or physical assault
• Sexual assault injuries

Psychological Trauma:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Trust issues
• Academic decline
• Social withdrawal

Long-Term Consequences:

• Chronic health conditions — permanent kidney damage, heart problems
• Substance abuse — self-medicating to cope with trauma
• Career impact — delayed graduation, lost internships
• Relationship damage — family, friends, romantic partners

Auglaize County Families: These injuries are preventable. When universities and fraternities fail to protect students, they must be held accountable.

🎯 Why Auglaize County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We filed a $10 million hazing lawsuit on November 21, 2025
• We know how to build these cases
• We know how to win
• Auglaize County families get the same aggressive representation

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

• Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers
• We know how insurance companies try to minimize claims
• We know how institutions try to hide liability
• We use that knowledge to beat them

3. We Understand Greek Life Culture

• We know the power dynamics
• We know the peer pressure
• We know the fear of retaliation
• We know how to expose the truth

4. We Have a Proven Track Record

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — handled complex, high-stakes cases against massive corporate defendants
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• Aggressive trial experience — we don’t back down from insurance companies

5. We Travel to Auglaize County

• We come to Auglaize County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• We offer remote consultations via video chat
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Auglaize County Families

• No upfront costs
• No hourly fees
• We don’t get paid unless you get paid
• Contingency fee: You pay nothing unless we win your case

7. We Speak Spanish

• Se habla español
• Bilingual support for Auglaize County Hispanic families
• No language barriers to justice

8. We Care About Our Clients

• We see your child as a person — not a paycheck
• We fight hard for Auglaize County families because we truly care
• We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids, and we want to stop it

📞 Auglaize County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed in Auglaize County or anywhere in Ohio, call Attorney 911 immediately.

Legal Emergency Hotline for Auglaize County Hazing Victims:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Auglaize County families

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free Case Evaluation — We listen to your story and explain your rights
2. Immediate Action Plan — We tell you what to do next to protect your case
3. Evidence Preservation — We help you gather and preserve critical evidence
4. No Pressure — You decide if you want to move forward
5. No Upfront Cost — We work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win

Auglaize County Families: The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be. Evidence disappears quickly, and the 2-year statute of limitations is ticking.

🏆 Our Promise to Auglaize County Families

1. We will listen — without judgment, without blame
2. We will investigate — thoroughly and aggressively
3. We will preserve evidence — before it disappears
4. We will fight for you — against powerful institutions
5. We will seek justice — for your child and for future victims
6. We will not back down — until we get the compensation you deserve

Auglaize County hazing victims: You are not alone. We are here to help.

📚 Additional Resources for Auglaize County Families

Ohio Anti-Hazing Organizations:

• Ohio Anti-Hazing Coalition — Advocacy and support for hazing victims
• Clery Center — Campus safety and student rights
• StopHazing.org — Research and prevention resources

Legal Resources:

• Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Ohio’s anti-hazing law
• Title IX — Federal law protecting students from discrimination (including hazing)
• Clery Act — Campus crime reporting requirements

Support for Victims:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline — 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 988

🔥 A Final Message to Auglaize County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Auglaize County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.

If you haze students in Auglaize County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your nationals, your university, and your individual members. We will pursue every dollar of insurance coverage. And we will not stop until you are held accountable.

Pi Kappa Phi learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

To the universities near Auglaize County:

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to regulate. You have the duty to protect.

Act now — or face the same accountability.

Auglaize County Families: The choice is yours. You can stay silent. You can let them get away with it. Or you can fight back.

Call Attorney 911 today. 1-888-ATTY-911. The call is free. The consultation is free. And justice is waiting.

We are Attorney 911. We are your first responders to a legal emergency.