Hazing Lawyer in Ottawa County, Ohio – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
If your child was hazed at a fraternity or sorority in Ottawa County, Ohio—or at a nearby university—you are not powerless. You have legal rights. And Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now.
We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing—including waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and physical abuse.
This same fraternity operates chapters at universities near Ottawa County, Ohio. The same negligence exists at schools in and around Ottawa County. And we will fight for Ottawa County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.
🚨 Ottawa County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes even torture. And it happens at universities near Ottawa County, Ohio—including:
- Bowling Green State University (BGSU) – Just 30 minutes from Ottawa County
- University of Toledo – Less than an hour away
- Ohio State University (Lima & Columbus campuses) – Major Greek life presence
- Heidelberg University & Tiffin University – Local institutions with active Greek organizations
These schools have fraternities and sororities with the same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others.
💀 Hazing Kills. It Has Happened in Ohio Before.
- Stone Foltz (2021) – Died at Bowling Green State University after forced alcohol consumption at a Pi Kappa Alpha event. His family won a $10 million settlement.
- Max Gruver (2017) – Died at LSU after a Phi Delta Theta hazing ritual. His family won a $6.1 million jury verdict.
- Timothy Piazza (2017) – Died at Penn State after falling down stairs during a Beta Theta Pi hazing event. His family settled for $110+ million.
These same fraternities have chapters near Ottawa County, Ohio. And they are still hazing students.
🔥 What Counts as Hazing in Ohio?
Ohio law defines hazing as any act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation into an organization. This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Beating, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, drugs, food, or non-food substances (even if it causes vomiting)
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure, confinement
Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 makes hazing a felony if it causes serious harm or death. Even if no criminal charges are filed, victims can sue for damages.
⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Ottawa County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Organized and carried out the hazing |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to supervise, ignored prior incidents |
| University/college | Knew or should have known about hazing; failed to protect students |
| Individual members (president, pledgemaster, etc.) | Participated in or allowed the abuse |
| Alumni or property owners | Allowed hazing at their homes or properties |
| Insurance companies | May cover damages under liability policies |
In our current case, we are suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”)
- The UH chapter (for directly organizing the abuse)
- University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where hazing occurred)
- Individual members (for participating in or allowing the torture)
Ottawa County families can pursue the same legal action.
💰 What Compensation Can Ottawa County Hazing Victims Recover?
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to financial compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.) |
| Emotional distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation |
| Educational disruption | Tuition loss, scholarship impact, delayed graduation |
| Punitive damages | Additional money to punish the fraternity/university for extreme misconduct |
Recent hazing settlements in Ohio and nationwide:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, BGSU/Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million (Max Gruver, LSU/Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State/Beta Theta Pi)
We are seeking $10 million in our current case—and Ottawa County families deserve the same justice.
📞 What Ottawa County Families Should Do Next
If your child was hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Ottawa County, Ohio, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire.
✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing can cause hidden injuries (rhabdomyolysis, concussions, internal bleeding).
- Document everything with medical records—this is crucial for your case.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all texts, GroupMe/Snapchat messages, and social media posts about the hazing.
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or any items used in the abuse.
- Get names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders).
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to control the narrative, destroy evidence, and pressure your child to stay silent.
- Do NOT give a statement to the fraternity, university, or their insurance company.
- Do NOT sign anything without legal review.
✅ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
We offer free, confidential consultations for Ottawa County hazing victims and their families.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Schedule a video consultation (we serve clients nationwide)
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
🔍 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Ottawa County Hazing Case?
We are not just another law firm. We are hazing litigation experts with:
✔ 25+ years of trial experience – We’ve won multi-million dollar settlements in complex cases.
✔ Former insurance defense attorneys – We know their playbook and how to fight back.
✔ Federal court authority – We can pursue cases against national fraternities anywhere in the U.S.
✔ Dual-state bar admission (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage for cases involving out-of-state organizations.
✔ Proven hazing case experience – We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit and have handled rhabdomyolysis, Kappa Sigma, and Texas A&M hazing cases.
✔ Bilingual support (Se habla español) – We serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.
✔ Willingness to travel to Ottawa County – For depositions, client meetings, and trials.
🎯 We Don’t Just Settle—We Fight for Justice
Most personal injury lawyers avoid going to trial. We welcome it.
- We refuse lowball settlement offers from insurance companies.
- We take cases to court when necessary to get full compensation.
- We hold institutions accountable—not just individual students.
Ottawa County families deserve aggressive representation. We provide it.
📍 Serving Ottawa County, Ohio & Surrounding Areas
While we are based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we serve hazing victims nationwide, including:
📍 Ottawa County, Ohio
📍 Port Clinton, OH
📍 Oak Harbor, OH
📍 Put-in-Bay, OH
📍 Nearby cities & universities:
- Bowling Green State University (BGSU) – 30 minutes from Ottawa County
- University of Toledo – Less than 1 hour away
- Ohio State University (Lima & Columbus campuses)
- Heidelberg University & Tiffin University
Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to Ottawa County for your case.
🚨 Ottawa County Fraternities & Universities: We’re Watching You
To the fraternities operating near Ottawa County, Ohio:
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Delta Tau Delta, and others—
We know what you’re doing. We track your chapters. We know your corporate structures. And when you haze students in Ottawa County, Ohio, we will sue every liable entity.
- Your national organization will pay (we’ve done it before).
- Your university will pay (we’ve done it before).
- Your individual members will pay (we’ve done it before).
The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? They’re now shut down. Your chapter could be next.
💬 What Ottawa County Parents Are Saying (Testimonials from Similar Cases)
“We felt completely powerless after our son was hospitalized from hazing. Attorney 911 not only got us justice—they gave us our voice back. They fought the fraternity, the university, and the insurance companies until we got the compensation we deserved.” – Parent of a hazing victim (Texas)
“I was afraid to speak up because I thought I’d get in trouble. But Ralph and Lupe made me realize that the fraternity was the one in the wrong. They stood by me every step of the way.” – Hazing victim (Florida)
“We didn’t think we could afford a lawyer. But Attorney 911 worked on contingency—we paid nothing upfront. They got us a settlement that covered our son’s medical bills and then some.” – Family of a hazing victim (Ohio)
📅 Act Now—Ohio’s Statute of Limitations is Ticking
Ohio law gives you only 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you lose your right to compensation forever.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Memories fade. The time to act is NOW.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today for a Free Consultation
We will:
✅ Review your case for free (no obligation).
✅ Explain your legal rights in plain language.
✅ Fight for maximum compensation—whether through settlement or trial.
✅ Travel to Ottawa County, Ohio for your case.
Ottawa County families: You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
💻 Schedule a Free Consultation
Justice for hazing victims starts with a phone call.
