Hazing Lawyer in Guernsey County, Ohio | Attorney 911
Protecting Students & Families from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
If your child was hazed, abused, or injured in Guernsey County, Ohio – you have legal rights. We fight for justice.
At Attorney 911, we are leading the fight against hazing in Ohio and nationwide. Our attorneys are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities and sororities that operate in Houston also have chapters near Guernsey County, Ohio – and we will hold them accountable here too.
🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Guernsey County, Ohio – And It’s Illegal
Hazing isn’t just “tradition” – it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture. If your child was forced to endure dangerous or humiliating rituals to join a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Guernsey County, Ohio, they may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Common hazing activities in Ohio include:
✔ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, drinking games)
✔ Extreme physical punishment (paddling, beatings, excessive exercise)
✔ Waterboarding & simulated drowning (torture disguised as “initiation”)
✔ Sleep deprivation & exhaustion (forced late-night activities)
✔ Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns)
✔ Sexual humiliation & assault (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
✔ Psychological abuse & threats (fear of expulsion, social ostracism)
These aren’t “pranks” – they’re crimes. And in Ohio, consent is NOT a defense to hazing.
🏥 Our Client Was Hospitalized After Hazing – The Same Thing Could Happen in Guernsey County
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed by Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. The fraternity:
✔ Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced him to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck him with wooden paddles
✔ Made him eat until he vomited, then forced him to keep running
✔ Another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout
This is happening in Ohio too. The same fraternities that hazed our client have chapters at universities near Guernsey County, Ohio, including:
- Ohio University (Athens, OH)
- Muskingum University (New Concord, OH)
- Denison University (Granville, OH)
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
If your child was hazed in Guernsey County, we can help.
⚖️ Ohio Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know
Ohio has strict anti-hazing laws under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31. Hazing is a misdemeanor or felony, depending on severity, and consent is not a defense.
Ohio Hazing Penalties:
| Offense | Penalty | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing (Misdemeanor) | Up to 6 months in jail, $1,000 fine | Forced calisthenics, sleep deprivation |
| Hazing Causing Serious Harm (Felony, 4th Degree) | Up to 18 months in prison, $5,000 fine | Broken bones, hospitalization, rhabdomyolysis |
| Hazing Causing Death (Felony, 3rd Degree) | Up to 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine | Alcohol poisoning, traumatic injury |
Universities and national fraternities can also be held liable for failing to prevent hazing. In our current case, we are suing:
✔ The local fraternity chapter
✔ The national fraternity organization
✔ The university (for negligent oversight)
✔ Individual members (for personal liability)
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Ohio?
Hazing lawsuits can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on the severity of the injuries and the defendants’ ability to pay.
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
| Case | Fraternity | Injury | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, OH) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death from alcohol poisoning | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (LSU) | Phi Delta Theta | Death from alcohol poisoning | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (Penn State) | Beta Theta Pi | Death from traumatic brain injury | $110+ million settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez (UH, TX) | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
Ohio families can recover compensation for:
✅ Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Lost wages & future earning capacity (if hazing disrupted education/career)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university for negligence)
We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win.
📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Guernsey County, Ohio
If your child was hazed, act fast – evidence disappears quickly, and Ohio has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs).
- Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders).
- Do NOT delete anything – even if it seems embarrassing.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
- Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
- Do not give a statement to university officials or insurance companies.
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
- We will travel to Guernsey County, Ohio for depositions, meetings, and trials.
- We work on contingency – no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Guernsey County Hazing Case?
✅ We’re Leading the Fight Against Hazing Nationwide
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- Media coverage in ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, and Houston Public Media.
- Proven track record in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
✅ We Understand Greek Life & University Negligence
- Our attorneys have 25+ years of litigation experience.
- We know how fraternities hide evidence, intimidate victims, and cover up abuse.
- We’ve deposed university officials, fraternity leaders, and individual members.
✅ We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- We sue everyone responsible – the local chapter, national organization, university, and individuals.
- We pursue punitive damages to punish egregious conduct.
- We don’t settle for lowball offers – we take cases to trial if necessary.
✅ We Serve Guernsey County, Ohio – No Matter Where You Are
- Headquartered in Houston, TX, but we represent clients nationwide.
- Federal court authority – we can sue in federal court if needed.
- Willing to travel to Guernsey County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Remote consultations available for Guernsey County families.
📍 Guernsey County, Ohio Hazing Victims – We’re Here to Help
Guernsey County is home to hardworking families who send their children to college expecting them to be safe. When universities and fraternities fail to protect students, we hold them accountable.
If your child was hazed, abused, or injured in Guernsey County, Ohio – call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free Consultation • No Upfront Fees • We Only Get Paid If We Win
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Ohio
1. Is hazing illegal in Ohio?
✅ Yes. Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 makes hazing a misdemeanor or felony, depending on severity. Consent is not a defense – even if a student “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.
2. What counts as hazing in Ohio?
Hazing includes any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, including:
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Extreme physical exercise (e.g., 500 squats, 100 pushups)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Beatings, paddling, or physical abuse
- Sleep deprivation
- Forced eating until vomiting
- Sexual humiliation or assault
- Psychological abuse or threats
3. Can I sue a fraternity for hazing in Ohio?
✅ Yes. You can sue:
- The local fraternity chapter (for organizing hazing)
- The national fraternity organization (for failing to supervise)
- The university (for negligent oversight)
- Individual members (for personal liability)
4. What if the fraternity says my child consented?
✅ Ohio law says consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable for injuries.
5. How much is a hazing case worth in Ohio?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements, depending on:
- The severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
- Whether the university or national fraternity knew about prior hazing
- The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, paddling, forced drinking)
- The defendants’ ability to pay (insurance policies, assets)
Recent Ohio hazing cases have resulted in $10+ million settlements.
6. How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in Ohio?
✅ 2 years from the date of injury. If your child was hazed, act fast – evidence disappears, and witnesses forget.
7. What if my child was hazed at a university near Guernsey County?
We represent hazing victims nationwide, including students at:
- Ohio University (Athens, OH)
- Muskingum University (New Concord, OH)
- Denison University (Granville, OH)
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
We will travel to Guernsey County, Ohio, for your case.
8. Do I need a lawyer for a hazing case?
✅ Yes. Fraternities and universities have teams of lawyers working to minimize liability. You need an experienced hazing attorney to:
- Preserve evidence before it disappears
- Negotiate with insurance companies (who will try to lowball you)
- Sue all responsible parties (not just the local chapter)
- Take the case to trial if necessary
9. How much does a hazing lawyer cost in Ohio?
✅ Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis – we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict.
10. What should I do if my child was hazed in Guernsey County?
- Seek medical attention (even if injuries seem minor).
- Preserve evidence (photos, texts, witness info).
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university alone.
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
🚨 Guernsey County, Ohio – Hazing Is Happening Near You
Fraternities and sororities near Guernsey County have the same hazing culture that hospitalized our client. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and other national fraternities operate at universities across Ohio – and they haven’t changed their ways.
If your child was hazed, abused, or injured – call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free Consultation • No Upfront Fees • We Fight for Justice
