🚨 Hazing Victims in Jackson County, Ohio: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a Jackson County college, university, or Greek organization, Attorney 911 can help — no matter where you are.
We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. The same fraternities and universities operate in Jackson County. The same abuse happens here. And we will fight for Jackson County families with the same determination.
📞 Call our hazing hotline now: 1-888-ATTY-911
The Hazing Crisis in Jackson County, Ohio
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities in Texas or Florida. It happens right here in Jackson County, Ohio — at our local colleges, in our Greek organizations, and among our students.
Jackson County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and fraternities will protect them. But too often, that trust is broken.
This isn’t “boys being boys.” This isn’t “tradition.” This is abuse. And it’s happening to Jackson County students.
What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Jackson County
Right now, we’re representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The abuse he endured was horrific:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
Leonel ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, spending four days fighting for his life.
The same fraternities that did this in Houston have chapters near Jackson County. The same universities that failed to stop it have campuses here. And the same abuse is happening to Jackson County students.
Jackson County Parents: You Have Rights
If your child has been hazed in Jackson County, you have legal rights — even if the incident happened elsewhere. Hazing is illegal in Ohio, and victims can sue for:
✅ Medical expenses — hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
✅ Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
✅ Lost wages — if hazing affected their ability to work
✅ Punitive damages — to punish the organization for egregious conduct
✅ Wrongful death — if hazing took your child’s life
Ohio law makes hazing a crime. And civil lawsuits can hold the individuals, chapters, and national organizations accountable.
Who Is Liable for Jackson County Hazing?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held responsible:
🔹 The local fraternity or sorority chapter — for organizing and conducting the hazing
🔹 The national organization — for failing to supervise and prevent abuse
🔹 The university — for failing to protect students, especially if they own the property
🔹 Individual members — for participating in or facilitating the hazing
🔹 Chapter officers — for leadership responsibility and direction
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local chapter
- The housing corporation
- The University of Houston
- Individual members and officers
Jackson County families can pursue the same defendants.
Ohio Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Hazing
Ohio law defines hazing as:
“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.”
Hazing is a second-degree misdemeanor in Ohio, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
If hazing causes serious physical harm, it becomes a third-degree felony — up to 3 years in prison and $10,000 fine.
Importantly, Ohio law states:
“Consent to hazing is not a defense.”
This means even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
Universities Near Jackson County with Greek Life
Jackson County families send their children to colleges and universities across Ohio where Greek life is active. Some of the major institutions near Jackson County include:
🎓 Ohio University (Athens, OH) — Home to numerous fraternities and sororities
🎓 Marshall University (Huntington, WV — close to Jackson County) — Active Greek system
🎓 University of Rio Grande (Rio Grande, OH) — Smaller but with Greek organizations
🎓 Shawnee State University (Portsmouth, OH) — Local university with Greek life
🎓 Hocking College (Nelsonville, OH) — Technical college with student organizations
These are just a few of the schools near Jackson County where hazing could occur. If your child attends any college or university — public or private — they could be at risk.
The Same Fraternities Are in Jackson County
The national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits operate chapters across Ohio, including near Jackson County:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Incidents | Ohio Chapters? |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (2017), Leonel Bermudez (2025) | Yes — multiple Ohio campuses |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Max Gruver (2017), multiple others | Yes — Ohio State, Miami, others |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz (2021), multiple others | Yes — Ohio University, others |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017) | Yes — Ohio State, others |
| Phi Delta Theta | Multiple incidents | Yes — Ohio State, others |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple incidents | Yes — Ohio State, others |
These are the same organizations that have paid millions in settlements. They have the same “traditions.” They operate the same way. And they could be hazing Jackson County students right now.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Jackson County
🚨 IMMEDIATE STEPS:
- Get medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, document everything
- Preserve evidence — Save all texts, photos, videos, social media posts
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university alone — They will try to control the narrative
- Do NOT delete anything — Destruction of evidence can hurt your case
- Contact an attorney — Know your rights before making any statements
📋 EVIDENCE TO PRESERVE:
| Evidence Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical records | Hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/videos | Injuries, hazing activities, locations |
| Communications | Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails |
| Witness information | Names and contact info of other victims or bystanders |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition paid |
Why Jackson County Families Choose Attorney 911
🔥 We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical for us — we’re in the courtroom, in the media, and in the fight right now.
Jackson County families get the same aggressive representation.
🏛️ We Have Federal Court Authority
While based in Houston, we can represent hazing victims anywhere in America through our federal court admissions. We will travel to Jackson County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
💼 We Know How to Sue Institutions
Universities and national fraternities have deep pockets and powerful lawyers. We know how to fight them:
- We’re former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook
- We’ve handled multi-million dollar cases
- We have the resources to take on the biggest institutions
👨⚖️ We’ve Done This Before
Ralph Manginello has specific experience with:
- Hazing litigation
- Kappa Sigma fraternity cases
- Texas A&M University hazing incidents
- Rhabdomyolysis injury cases
- Wrongful death from hazing
💰 We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront
We understand the financial strain Jackson County families face. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees. We only get paid when you do.
🗣️ Se Habla Español
We have bilingual staff to serve Spanish-speaking Jackson County families. Language should never be a barrier to justice.
Jackson County Hazing: Common Questions Answered
❓ “Is hazing really that serious?”
Yes. Hazing can cause:
- Death (alcohol poisoning, traumatic injuries)
- Permanent physical damage (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, brain injury)
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide)
- Academic disruption (dropped classes, lost scholarships)
In our current case, hazing caused:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure
- Four days of hospitalization
- Permanent health risks
❓ “My child consented. Can we still sue?”
Yes. Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
❓ “The fraternity says it was just ‘tradition.’ Is that an excuse?”
No. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault is assault. Torture is torture. No amount of tradition makes it acceptable.
❓ “What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
It doesn’t matter. Ohio’s hazing law applies to acts on or off campus. If the hazing was part of joining an organization, it’s covered.
❓ “How much is a hazing lawsuit worth?”
Hazing lawsuits have resulted in settlements and verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to over $100 million. Factors that increase case value include:
- Severity of injuries
- Whether the victim died
- Institutional knowledge of prior hazing
- Attempts to cover up the incident
- Egregiousness of the conduct
Our current case is seeking $10 million — and that number is supported by precedent.
❓ “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Ohio has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you generally have two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit.
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
❓ “What if my child is afraid of retaliation?”
We understand. Our current client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take these concerns seriously and will protect your child’s identity and safety throughout the process.
Recent Hazing Cases That Should Alarm Jackson County Families
💀 Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University (2021)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
- What happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” event
- Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning; $10.1 million settlement
- Ohio connection: Happened in Ohio; led to Ohio’s Collin’s Law
💀 Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University (2017)
- Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
- What happened: Forced to drink during “Bible Study” pledge event; BAC 0.495
- Outcome: Died; $6.1 million jury verdict; Max Gruver Act (felony hazing)
💀 Timothy Piazza — Penn State University (2017)
- Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
- What happened: Forced to run “gauntlet” of 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs repeatedly; members waited 12 hours to call 911
- Outcome: Died; $110+ million settlement; Pennsylvania’s Piazza Law
💀 Andrew Coffey — Florida State University (2017)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
- What happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon during “Big Brother Night”
- Outcome: Died; chapter closed; criminal charges
⚠️ Leonel Bermudez — University of Houston (2025)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
- What happened: Waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with paddles
- Outcome: Hospitalized with kidney failure; $10 million lawsuit pending
- Why it matters to Jackson County: Same fraternities operate near Jackson County
Jackson County Parents: This Could Be Your Child
Every one of these victims was someone’s child. Someone’s brother. Someone’s friend.
Leonel Bermudez was just trying to join a fraternity. He wasn’t even enrolled at the university yet. He was a “ghost rush” — someone the fraternity was recruiting to transfer.
And they waterboarded him. They made him do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. They struck him with wooden paddles.
This could be your child.
What Jackson County Families Can Do Right Now
📞 CALL US: 1-888-ATTY-911
We offer free consultations to Jackson County hazing victims and their families. We will:
- Evaluate your case
- Explain your legal rights
- Outline your options
- Answer your questions
📧 EMAIL US: ralph@atty911.com
Send us a message with your contact information and a brief description of what happened. We’ll get back to you quickly.
🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: attorney911.com
Learn more about our hazing litigation experience and how we can help Jackson County families.
We Will Travel to Jackson County
While we are based in Houston, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We will:
- Offer video consultations for Jackson County families
- Travel to Jackson County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Work with local counsel if needed
- Pursue your case in federal court if appropriate
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Jackson County Hazing: The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims often delay reporting due to:
- Shame and embarrassment
- Fear of social retaliation
- Loyalty to the organization
- Not recognizing it as hazing
- Pressure from members to stay quiet
Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The statute of limitations runs out.
If your child has been hazed in Jackson County, call us NOW: 1-888-ATTY-911
A Message to Jackson County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Jackson County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Jackson County, we will find every liable entity.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi —
If your chapter operates near Jackson County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America. We are coming for you.
To the universities near Jackson County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You own the houses. You have the power to stop hazing. You have the duty to protect your students.
Act now or face the same accountability.
Jackson County Families: You Deserve Justice
You trusted these institutions to protect your children. That trust was betrayed.
Your child was abused. Humiliated. Hospitalized. Or worse.
We understand the pain. We understand the rage. And we know how to turn that pain into accountability.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we will fight for Jackson County families like we’re fighting right now in Houston.
📞 Call our hazing hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
The same fraternities. The same universities. The same abuse. But this time, you have us.
