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Hazing Victims in Lorain County Deserve Justice – We’re Fighting for You
This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen at Lorain County Schools. We’re Holding Fraternities Accountable.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and hospitalized for four days from fraternity hazing. This isn’t just happening in Texas – it happens at universities and colleges right here in Lorain County and across Ohio.
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Lorain County, you have legal rights. We will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.
The Hazing Crisis in Lorain County and Ohio
Hazing Isn’t “Tradition” – It’s Abuse
Hazing is happening at schools in and around Lorain County, including:
- Lorain County Community College (Elyria)
- Oberlin College (Oberlin)
- Ashland University (nearby in Ashland)
- The University of Akron (Akron)
- Cleveland State University (Cleveland)
- Baldwin Wallace University (Berea)
- And other Ohio universities with Greek life and student organizations
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta – have active chapters at Ohio schools. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Lorain County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
Ohio Has a Hazing Problem
Ohio has seen multiple hazing incidents in recent years, including:
- 2021: Stone Foltz – A Bowling Green State University student died from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Alpha hazing ritual. His family received a $10 million settlement, and Ohio passed Collin’s Law, making hazing a felony.
- 2018: Ohio University – Multiple students hospitalized after Sigma Pi fraternity hazing.
- 2019: University of Toledo – Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter suspended for hazing violations.
Lorain County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas. If your child was hazed, we will pursue every liable party – the fraternity, the national organization, the university, and individual members.
Our Landmark $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit – What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Lorain County
The Case That Proves Hazing Is Happening in Ohio Too
In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after weeks of extreme hazing.
What They Did to Him
Our client was subjected to:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning as a “hazing ritual”
✅ Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups – Until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
✅ Struck with wooden paddles – Physical abuse as “punishment”
✅ Forced to eat until vomiting – Milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns consumed until he threw up, then made to continue running
✅ Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
✅ Psychological torture – Carried a fanny pack with sexual objects, stripped in cold weather, and threatened with expulsion
Result: He was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His muscles broke down from the abuse, releasing toxins that nearly destroyed his kidneys.
Why This Matters to Lorain County Families
- The same fraternities operate in Ohio – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters at Ohio universities, including schools near Lorain County.
- Universities in Ohio face the same liability – The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. Ohio universities that own or oversee Greek housing could be liable too.
- Ohio has strong anti-hazing laws – Under Collin’s Law, hazing is a felony in Ohio. Consent is not a defense.
- We know how to win these cases – We’re currently litigating this $10 million case, and we will bring the same fight to Lorain County.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Lorain County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held accountable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise chapters; knew about hazing risks |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity housing |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes or properties |
In our Houston case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The local UH chapter
- The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
- Individual fraternity members and officers
Lorain County families can pursue the same accountability.
Ohio Hazing Laws – Your Legal Rights
Hazing Is Illegal in Ohio
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 (Collin’s Law), hazing is defined 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 felony in Ohio if it causes serious physical harm or death.
Consent Is Not a Defense
Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
Universities Must Report Hazing
Ohio universities are required to report hazing incidents. If they fail to act, they can be held accountable.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lorain County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Hazing can cause rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injuries, and death.
- Even if your child seems “fine,” get them checked by a doctor. Symptoms of serious conditions like rhabdomyolysis may not appear immediately.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications – texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, social media posts.
- Get witness names and contact information – other pledges, bystanders, friends.
- Document everything – medical records, police reports, university communications.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without Legal Counsel
- Fraternities and universities will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
- Do not sign anything from the fraternity, university, or their insurance companies.
- Do not give recorded statements without an attorney present.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
- We offer video consultations for Lorain County families who cannot travel to Texas.
- We will travel to Lorain County for depositions, meetings, and trials if needed.
- We work on contingency – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
Damages We Can Recover for Lorain County Hazing Victims
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future medical care |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from hazing, emotional trauma, PTSD |
| Mental Anguish | Anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Educational Disruption | Tuition refunds, scholarship loss, delayed graduation |
| Punitive Damages | Additional compensation to punish egregious conduct |
In our Houston case, we’re seeking $10 million. Lorain County families can recover similar compensation.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Lorain County Hazing Case?
1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We know how to build these cases from the ground up.
- We understand the medical complexities of hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis.
- We know how to hold fraternities, universities, and individuals accountable.
2. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies minimize claims and deny liability.
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority
- We can pursue your Lorain County case in federal court if needed.
- We’re licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages in hazing cases involving national organizations.
4. We Offer Free, No-Obligation Consultations
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 to speak with an attorney today.
- We work on contingency – you pay nothing upfront.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
5. We Will Travel to Lorain County
- We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
- Distance is not a barrier to justice.
6. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español
- Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
- We provide bilingual legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Lorain County.
Fraternities Near Lorain County With Hazing Histories
The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at Ohio universities near Lorain County, including:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Ohio Schools With Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Our $10M lawsuit (2025); Andrew Coffey death (2017) | University of Akron, Cleveland State, Ohio University |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021) – $10M settlement | Ohio State, University of Toledo, Bowling Green |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths and lawsuits | Ohio State, University of Akron, Case Western |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver death (2017) – $6M verdict | Ohio State, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017) – $110M+ settlement | Ohio State, Miami University, Ohio University |
If your child is pledging one of these fraternities in Lorain County, they are at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions for Lorain County Families
1. Can I sue if my child was hazed in Lorain County?
Yes. Hazing is illegal in Ohio, and victims can sue for compensation. Even if your child “consented” to hazing, Ohio law says consent is not a defense.
2. Who can I sue for hazing in Lorain County?
You can sue:
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter
- The national organization
- The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
- Individual members who participated
3. What is the statute of limitations for hazing in Ohio?
- Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death
- Minors: The clock may not start until the victim turns 18
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and your rights expire.
4. How much is my Lorain County hazing case worth?
Every case is unique, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including:
- $10 million (our current case)
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz case)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver case)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza case)
5. What if the fraternity says my child “consented”?
Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.
6. Can I afford a lawyer for a hazing case?
Yes. We work on contingency, meaning:
- You pay nothing upfront.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, so you never pay out of pocket.
7. Do I have to go to court for a hazing case?
Most cases settle out of court, but we are prepared to go to trial if needed to get you the compensation you deserve.
8. Can you help if my child was hazed at a Lorain County school?
Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Lorain County. We offer:
- Video consultations
- Travel to Lorain County for depositions and meetings
- Federal court authority to pursue your case
Lorain County Families: We’re Here to Help
Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s not tradition. It’s abuse, and it has no place in Lorain County schools.
If your child was hazed, you don’t have to stay silent. We will fight for you with the same determination we’re bringing to our $10 million hazing case.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free Consultation
- Available 24/7 for Lorain County hazing emergencies
- Free, confidential case evaluation
- No upfront costs – we only get paid if we win
- Se habla español
We will travel to Lorain County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Contact Attorney 911
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Serving Lorain County and all of Ohio from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas.
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