Hazing Victims in Hancock County: Legal Rights and How to Get Justice
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — It Happens in Hancock County Too
If you or your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Hancock County, Ohio, you’re not alone. The same dangerous hazing culture that hospitalized a University of Houston student in 2025 exists right here in our community.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse that left a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities operate near Hancock County. The same negligence exists at Hancock County institutions. And we will fight for Hancock County families with the same aggression.
Hancock County Families: This Could Be Your Child
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s torture. And it’s happening at colleges and universities near Hancock County.
If your child has been:
- Forced to drink until vomiting or passing out
- Beaten with paddles or other objects
- Forced to do extreme physical exercise to exhaustion
- Humiliated, degraded, or psychologically abused
- Waterboarded or subjected to simulated drowning
- Threatened with expulsion or physical harm if they refuse
You have legal rights. And we can help.
What Counts as Hazing in Ohio?
Ohio law defines hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any student organization. This includes:
✔ Physical abuse (paddling, beating, branding, forced exercise)
✔ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food items)
✔ Sleep deprivation
✔ Psychological abuse (humiliation, degradation, threats)
✔ Sexual abuse or harassment
✔ Waterboarding or simulated drowning
✔ Exposure to extreme weather conditions
✔ Any activity that creates an unreasonable risk of harm
Important: In Ohio, consent is not a defense — even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Hazing in Hancock County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally accountable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing despite knowing the risks |
| Chapter Officers | Leaders who directed or allowed hazing (president, pledgemaster, etc.) |
| Individual Members | Actively participated in hazing activities |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing to occur at their property |
| Insurance Companies | Liability policies covering the organization |
Hancock County Example:
If your child was hazed at a fraternity near Hancock County, we would pursue:
- The local chapter
- The national fraternity organization
- The university or college
- Individual members who participated
- Any alumni or property owners involved
What Compensation Can Hancock County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing victims in Hancock County may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages (Financial Losses)
- Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
- Educational costs (tuition refunds, scholarship losses)
- Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Humiliation and shame
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)
If the hazing was especially cruel, intentional, or reckless, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.
Example: In a recent Ohio hazing case, a fraternity was ordered to pay $6.5 million to the family of a student who died from forced alcohol consumption.
Ohio’s Hazing Laws: What Hancock County Families Need to Know
Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 (Hazing)
- Hazing is a misdemeanor if it causes physical harm
- Hazing is a felony if it causes serious physical harm or death
- Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child agreed to participate
Collin’s Law (Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Act)
Named after Collin Wiant, an Ohio University student who died from hazing in 2018, this law:
- Makes hazing a felony if it causes serious harm
- Requires universities to report hazing incidents
- Increases penalties for organizations that haze
Hancock County families: If your child was hazed after 2018, Collin’s Law applies to your case.
What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Hancock County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if your child says they’re “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away. Go to the ER or urgent care to document injuries.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or objects used
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
- Write down names of witnesses, participants, and leaders
- Keep medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes)
- Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to cover it up
- They may pressure your child to sign documents or give statements
- Anything your child says can be used against them in court
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Ohio). The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Hancock County families: Call Attorney 911 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Hancock County Hazing Case?
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies — we know how they think, how they value claims, and how to maximize your compensation.
3. Nationwide Experience
While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims across the country, including Hancock County. We’ll travel to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
4. No Upfront Costs
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
5. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
We treat every client like family. We understand the trauma of hazing, and we’ll fight tirelessly for justice.
Hancock County Universities and Colleges: Are Your Students Safe?
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities — it happens at all types of schools in and around Hancock County, including:
- State universities
- Private colleges
- Community colleges
- Technical schools
- Military academies
Common Greek Organizations in Hancock County with Hazing Histories:
- Pi Kappa Phi (currently in our $10M lawsuit)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
- Beta Theta Pi
- Phi Delta Theta
- Sigma Chi
- Kappa Sigma
Hancock County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, ask questions. Demand transparency. And if hazing happens, call us immediately.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims often wait to come forward because of:
- Fear of retaliation (our client is too scared to do interviews)
- Shame or embarrassment
- Loyalty to the organization
- Not realizing it was illegal
But waiting can cost you your legal rights. Ohio has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing cases. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to sue forever.
Hancock County families: If your child was hazed, call us today for a free consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Hancock County Hazing Victims
Q: What if my child consented to the hazing?
A: In Ohio, consent is not a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus.
Q: What if my child was drinking or using drugs during hazing?
A: The organization is still liable. Forced consumption (even if your child drank voluntarily under pressure) is still hazing.
Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable.
Q: How much is a hazing lawsuit worth?
A: It depends on the severity of the injuries, but recent hazing cases have resulted in:
- $6.5 million (personal judgment against a fraternity president)
- $10.1 million (settlement against a university and fraternity)
- $110 million+ (settlement against Penn State)
Q: Will my child have to testify in court?
A: Most cases settle before trial, but if your case goes to court, your child may need to testify. We’ll prepare them thoroughly and support them every step of the way.
Q: Can we still sue if the organization has already suspended the chapter?
A: Absolutely. Suspending the chapter doesn’t erase liability. In fact, it can be evidence that they knew the conduct was wrong.
Hancock County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is not your fault. It’s not your child’s fault. It’s the fault of the people who chose to abuse, humiliate, and endanger them.
At Attorney 911, we believe in justice, accountability, and protecting the next generation of students. We’re fighting this battle in Houston, and we’ll fight it for Hancock County families too.
If you or your child has been hazed in Hancock County, call us today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
The consultation is free. The call is confidential. And the fight for justice starts now.
