🚨 Hazing Victims in Lake County, Ohio: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

If your child has been hazed at a Lake County college or university, you are not powerless. You have legal rights. You can fight back. And Attorney 911 is here to help.

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This same fraternity has chapters at universities near Lake County. The same culture of abuse exists here. And we will fight for Lake County families with the same determination.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Lake County, Ohio — It’s Happening Here Too

Lake County is home to institutions like Lakeland Community College and is near major universities including Kent State University, Cleveland State University, and Case Western Reserve University — all with active Greek life programs. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide operate right here in Northeast Ohio.

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not harmless fun.

It is abuse. It is assault. It is sometimes torture. And it is happening to students in Lake County and across Ohio.

⚠️ Real Hazing Incidents — The Same Abuse Happens in Ohio

Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University (Ohio) — 2021

Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Result: Died from alcohol poisoning; $10.1 million settlement — largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history
Relevance to Lake County: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at universities near Lake County. The same fraternity that killed Stone Foltz operates in Northeast Ohio.

Max Gruver — Louisiana State University — 2017

Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
What Happened: Forced drinking during “Bible Study” pledge event; wrong answer = drink more
Result: Died with BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit); $6.1 million jury verdict
Relevance to Lake County: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at Ohio universities near Lake County. This same forced drinking happens here.

Timothy Piazza — Penn State University — 2017

Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
What Happened: Forced to run “the gauntlet” — 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs repeatedly; fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911
Result: Died from traumatic brain injury; $110+ million settlement
Relevance to Lake County: Beta Theta Pi has chapters at Ohio universities. The same delayed medical response and extreme drinking rituals happen in Northeast Ohio.

Our Current Case: Leonel Bermudez — University of Houston — 2025

Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
What Happened: Waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, forced to eat until vomiting
Result: Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure; $10 million lawsuit filed
Relevance to Lake County: Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Lake County. The same waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse is happening to Ohio students.

📚 What Is Hazing? Ohio Law Explained

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 defines hazing as:

“Any act or coercing another 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.”

This includes:

Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
Sleep deprivation
Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
Waterboarding or simulated drowning
Sexual abuse or forced nudity
Any activity that creates a risk of injury or death

Ohio law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agrees” to participate, hazing is still illegal and can be prosecuted.

⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable in Lake County Hazing Cases?

1. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing
Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
Individual members who participated

2. The National Organization

The national fraternity or sorority (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
Why? They have the power to regulate chapters but often fail to enforce anti-hazing policies
Pattern evidence matters: If the national knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing, they can be held liable

3. The University or College

Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on university property (e.g., a fraternity house owned by the university)
Negligent Supervision: If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it
Institutional Knowledge: If the university had prior hazing incidents and didn’t implement real safeguards

4. Individual Perpetrators

Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing
Every person who knew about the hazing and failed to stop it or report it
Personal liability: Individuals can be sued personally and may have to pay damages from their own assets

5. Housing Corporations and Property Owners

If hazing occurred at a private residence (e.g., a member’s home or off-campus house)
The property owner can be held liable for allowing hazing on their premises

💰 What Compensation Can Lake County Families Receive?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

Medical expenses: Hospital bills, emergency care, rehabilitation, therapy
Future medical costs: Ongoing treatment, potential dialysis or transplant, mental health care
Lost wages: Time missed from work during recovery
Educational expenses: Tuition reimbursement if the victim had to withdraw or transfer
Funeral expenses: In wrongful death cases

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

Physical pain and suffering: The agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, or other injuries
Mental anguish: Trauma from waterboarding, forced drinking, or physical abuse
Emotional distress: PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in normal activities during recovery
Disfigurement: Permanent scars or disabilities from hazing injuries

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

Awarded when the defendant’s conduct was intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent
Meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
Examples of conduct that may warrant punitive damages:
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Forcing alcohol consumption to the point of alcohol poisoning
- Continuing hazing after a victim collapses or loses consciousness
- Covering up hazing incidents to avoid accountability

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Lake County Parents Need to Know

Hazing can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common medical consequences include:

1. Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown)

Cause: Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls, forced exercise)
Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, weakness, dark brown urine, inability to move
Complications: Acute kidney failure (as in our client’s case), cardiac arrest, death
Treatment: Hospitalization, IV fluids, dialysis in severe cases

2. Alcohol Poisoning

Cause: Forced drinking (e.g., “Bible Study” games, “Big/Little” rituals)
Symptoms: Confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, unconsciousness
Complications: Death, brain damage, aspiration pneumonia
Treatment: Emergency medical care, stomach pumping, IV fluids

3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Cause: Falls, beatings, or being struck with objects (e.g., wooden paddles)
Symptoms: Headaches, memory loss, confusion, nausea, loss of consciousness
Complications: Permanent cognitive impairment, seizures, coma, death
Treatment: Hospitalization, surgery, long-term rehabilitation

4. Heat Stroke or Hypothermia

Cause: Forced exposure to extreme heat or cold (e.g., stripping in cold weather, exercising in hot conditions)
Symptoms: Dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness
Complications: Organ failure, death
Treatment: Emergency cooling or warming, IV fluids

5. Psychological Trauma

Cause: Humiliation, threats, sexual abuse, or extreme physical abuse
Symptoms: PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, panic attacks
Complications: Long-term mental health issues, substance abuse, academic decline
Treatment: Therapy, medication, long-term mental health care

📞 What Lake County Families Should Do Immediately

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

If your child has been hazed, take them to the emergency room immediately
Even if they seem “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away
Document everything: Ask for copies of all medical records

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
Document witness information (names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses)
Keep any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing, etc.)

Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Organization or University Alone

The fraternity, sorority, or university may try to get your child to sign documents or give statements
Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney
Do not give any recorded statements to university administrators, Greek life officials, or insurance companies
Anything your child says can be used against them in a legal case

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911
We offer free, confidential consultations for Lake County families
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case
We will travel to Lake County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Step 5: Report the Incident

File a police report — hazing is a crime in Ohio
Report to the university — but do this with your attorney present
Consider filing a Title IX complaint if the hazing involved sexual abuse or gender-based violence

⏳ Time Is Critical — Ohio’s Statute of Limitations

Ohio law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a hazing incident:

Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of the injury
Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.

Call Attorney 911 today: 1-888-ATTY-911

🎯 Why Lake County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win
Lake County families get the same aggressive representation

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims
We know how insurance companies try to minimize or deny claims
We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Lake County Families

While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Lake County, Ohio
Federal court authority: We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
Dual-state bar licenses: Texas AND New York — strategic advantage for cases involving national fraternities
We travel to Lake County: For depositions, trials, and client meetings

4. Proven Results in Hazing Cases

Rhabdomyolysis expertise: Ralph Manginello has successfully litigated rhabdomyolysis cases
Kappa Sigma litigation experience: We have handled hazing cases involving Kappa Sigma fraternity
Texas A&M University hazing cases: Experience with university liability
Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts: We have recovered millions for injury victims

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Hazing affects students from all backgrounds, including Spanish-speaking families
We have bilingual staff to ensure no language barriers to justice

6. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs

You pay nothing to hire us
We don’t get paid unless we win your case
No financial risk for Lake County families

7. We Protect Our Clients

Hazing victims often fear retribution for speaking out
We will protect your privacy and ensure your safety
We handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies

🏛️ What to Expect When You Work With Attorney 911

Step 1: Free Consultation

We listen to your story and evaluate your case
We explain your legal rights and options
We answer all your questions

Step 2: Investigation

We gather evidence (medical records, communications, witness statements)
We identify all liable parties (individuals, chapters, nationals, universities)
We work with experts to build your case

Step 3: Demand and Negotiation

We send a demand letter to the defendants outlining your damages
We negotiate with insurance companies and defense attorneys
We fight for the maximum compensation you deserve

Step 4: Litigation (If Necessary)

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we file a lawsuit
We handle all court filings, depositions, and discovery
We prepare your case for trial

Step 5: Resolution

We secure a settlement or jury verdict in your favor
You receive the compensation you deserve
We ensure the defendants are held accountable

🔥 Warning to Lake County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Lake County, Ohio:

We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after their UH chapter waterboarded a student and hospitalized him with kidney failure. The same fraternity has chapters at universities near Lake County. The same culture of abuse exists in Northeast Ohio.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter is hazing students in Lake County, know this:

We are coming for you
We know how to find every liable entity
We know how to pursue your national organization
We know how to hold your university accountable
We know how to make you pay

The $10 million verdicts aren’t just happening in Texas. They’re coming to Ohio.

Clean up your chapters. Now. Before we clean them out in court.

📞 Lake County Families: Contact Attorney 911 Today

If your child has been hazed in Lake County, Ohio, you don’t have to face this alone.