Hazing Lawyers in Columbiana County, Ohio – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
Columbiana County Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Columbiana County, Ohio, you may feel shocked, betrayed, and unsure of what to do next. Hazing is not “tradition”—it is abuse, assault, and sometimes even torture. The same national fraternities that have paid millions in settlements nationwide—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha—operate right here in Columbiana County and nearby universities like Youngstown State University, Kent State University at East Liverpool, and Eastern Gateway Community College.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that has made national headlines for exposing waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic abuse of a student. We bring the same aggressive legal strategy to Columbiana County families.
You have rights. Your child deserves justice. And we will fight for both.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Columbiana County & Nearby Universities
Hazing is not just a problem at big universities—it happens right here in Columbiana County and at colleges nearby, including:
📍 Universities & Colleges Near Columbiana County Where Hazing Occurs
- Youngstown State University (YSU) – Just 20 miles from Columbiana County, YSU has a strong Greek life presence with fraternities and sororities that may engage in dangerous hazing rituals.
- Kent State University at East Liverpool – A smaller campus, but Greek organizations still operate here, and hazing can be just as severe.
- Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) – While not known for Greek life, student organizations and sports teams may still engage in hazing.
- University of Mount Union (Alliance, OH) – About 40 miles from Columbiana County, this private university has active Greek life.
- Walsh University (North Canton, OH) – Another private university with Greek organizations that may have hazing risks.
📌 The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Operate Near Columbiana County
The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity that waterboarded and hospitalized our client in Houston has 150+ chapters nationwide—including in Ohio. Other fraternities with documented hazing deaths and lawsuits also have chapters near Columbiana County:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Ohio Presence? | Columbiana County Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarded pledge, kidney failure (2025); Andrew Coffey death (2017) | Yes (YSU, other Ohio schools) | High – Same organization as our current lawsuit |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths, including at Texas A&M | Yes (YSU, Kent State, others) | High – Known for dangerous hazing culture |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021, $10M settlement) | Yes (YSU, others) | High – Recent high-profile case |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017, $110M+ settlement) | Yes (Ohio State, others) | Moderate – Known for extreme hazing |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver death (2017, $6.1M verdict) | Yes (Ohio University, others) | Moderate – Forced drinking deaths |
If your child was hazed in Columbiana County or at a nearby university, they are not alone—and neither are you.
⚠️ What Counts as Hazing in Ohio?
Ohio law (ORC § 2903.31) defines hazing as:
“Any act or coercion that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.”
🔥 Common Hazing Practices in Columbiana County & Ohio
Hazing is not just “harmless fun”—it is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture. Here’s what we’ve seen in Ohio and across the country:
| Category | Examples of Hazing | Medical & Legal Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Paddling, beating, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion (500 squats, 100 pushups) | Broken bones, rhabdomyolysis (kidney failure), internal injuries |
| Forced Consumption | Binge drinking, forced eating (hot dogs, milk, peppercorns) until vomiting, drugs | Alcohol poisoning, choking, overdose, death |
| Psychological Torture | Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault, trauma, criminal charges |
| Dangerous Activities | “Hell Week,” forced calisthenics, extreme weather exposure | Heatstroke, hypothermia, cardiac arrest |
💀 Ohio Hazing Cases That Went Too Far
- 2021 – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha) – Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning. Family received $10.1 million settlement.
- 2018 – Collin Wiant (Ohio University, Sigma Pi) – Forced nitrous oxide inhalation; died from overdose. Led to Collin’s Law, making hazing a felony.
- 2017 – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta) – Forced drinking game; died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495). Family won $6.1 million jury verdict.
These cases could have happened in Columbiana County. The same fraternities operate here.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Columbiana County
✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked. Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening but may not show symptoms right away.
- Go to the ER if:
- They have dark brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
- They can’t move or walk normally
- They passed out or were unresponsive
- They vomited repeatedly
- They complain of severe pain
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Do not delete anything.
| Type of Evidence | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house, alcohol containers |
| Texts/Group Chats | Messages about hazing, threats, peer pressure |
| Social Media | Posts, DMs, Snapchats, Instagram stories about hazing |
| Medical Records | Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, diagnoses (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, etc.) |
| Witnesses | Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders |
| Fraternity Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules, emails |
⚠️ WARNING: Do not confront the fraternity or university alone. They will destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses, and try to silence your child.
✅ Step 3: Report the Hazing (But Do It the Right Way)
- File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Ohio (felony if it causes serious injury or death).
- Report to the university – But do not give a statement without an attorney.
- File a Title IX complaint – If the hazing involved sexual assault or gender-based harassment.
✅ Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer in Columbiana County
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity’s lawyers or insurance company – They will lowball you or deny your claim.
- Do NOT sign anything – You may be waiving your rights.
- Call Attorney 911 immediately – We offer free, confidential consultations for Columbiana County families.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
💰 Can You Sue for Hazing in Columbiana County?
Yes. If your child was hazed in Columbiana County or at a nearby university, you can sue for:
| Type of Compensation | What It Covers | Potential Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $250,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, lost internships, career impact | $20,000 – $500,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for the fraternity/university’s negligence | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing led to death | $1,000,000 – $100,000,000+ |
📌 Who Can Be Sued in a Columbiana County Hazing Case?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Deep Pockets? |
|---|---|---|
| National Fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, etc.) | Failed to supervise chapters, ignored prior hazing incidents | Yes (millions in assets & insurance) |
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Limited (but insurance may cover) |
| University (YSU, Kent State, etc.) | Failed to prevent hazing despite knowing the risks | Yes (insurance & endowment funds) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Varies (some have homeowners insurance) |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing events, failed to stop abuse | Varies (may have assets) |
💡 Our Current Case: We are suing Pi Kappa Phi National, the University of Houston, and individual members for $10 million after our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
⚖️ Ohio Hazing Laws – What Columbiana County Families Need to Know
📜 Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 – Hazing is a Crime
- Misdemeanor Hazing: Up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine
- Felony Hazing (if serious injury or death): Up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine
- Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to hazing, the fraternity can still be held liable.
📜 Collin’s Law (2021) – Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Law
Named after Collin Wiant, an Ohio University student who died from hazing in 2018, Collin’s Law made hazing a felony in Ohio.
Key Provisions:
✅ Hazing is a 3rd-degree felony if it causes serious injury or death.
✅ Universities must report hazing incidents within 48 hours.
✅ Fraternities can lose recognition for hazing violations.
✅ Individuals can be expelled for hazing.
If your child was hazed in Columbiana County, the fraternity and university may have already violated Ohio law.
🏆 Why Columbiana County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We Are Actively Fighting a $10M Hazing Case Right Now
- Current Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
- Media Coverage: ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media.
- Result So Far: Pi Kappa Phi shut down the chapter within days of our lawsuit.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Lawyers – We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies.
- We know exactly how they try to lowball or deny claims.
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.
✅ We Travel to Columbiana County for Your Case
- While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide.
- We offer video consultations for Columbiana County families.
- We come to Columbiana County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✅ No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win
- Contingency fee: You pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
- No risk: If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.