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

Wayne County Families: Hazing Is Happening at Your Colleges — And It’s Time to Stop It

If you’re reading this, you likely know the pain of hazing firsthand. Maybe your child came home with bruises. Maybe they were hospitalized. Maybe they’re afraid to speak up. Maybe you’re grieving a loss that never should have happened.

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s illegal. And it’s happening at colleges and universities near Wayne County, Ohio.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re currently representing a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing at a major Texas university. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit — and we’re not stopping until the institutions that allowed this torture are held accountable.

Wayne County families: Your child could be next. We can help.

🏫 Hazing at Wayne County-Area Colleges: What You Need to Know

Wayne County is home to strong community values and respected educational institutions. But behind the scenes, the same national fraternities that tortured our client are operating at colleges near Wayne County, including:

• The College of Wooster (Wooster, OH) — A top liberal arts college with active Greek life
• Ashland University (Ashland, OH) — Home to multiple fraternities and sororities
• Nearby Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) — One of the largest Greek systems in the country
• University of Akron (Akron, OH) — Known Greek presence
• Kent State University (Kent, OH) — Active fraternity and sorority community

These same national fraternities — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, and others — have chapters at these schools. And they have long histories of hazing that have led to hospitalizations, lifelong injuries, and deaths.

The Reality in Ohio:

• Ohio has some of the strongest anti-hazing laws in the country — but enforcement is inconsistent
• Collin’s Law (passed in 2021) made hazing a felony in Ohio — but many cases still go unreported
• Ohio State University has faced multiple hazing scandals, including the 2018 death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter)
• Universities near Wayne County are not immune — they have the same oversight failures we’re fighting in Texas

Wayne County families: If your child has been hazed at any Ohio college, you have legal rights. And we can help you enforce them.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Ohio

1. Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Law: Collin’s Law (Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31)

Ohio has one of the strongest anti-hazing laws in the nation — Collin’s Law — named after Collin Wiant, a freshman who died from hazing at Ohio University in 2018.

Under Collin’s Law:

• Hazing is a second-degree misdemeanor in most cases
• If the hazing causes serious physical harm, it becomes a third-degree felony
• If the hazing causes death, it becomes a second-degree felony
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter
• Organizations (fraternities, sororities, sports teams) can be criminally charged as entities

This means that if your child was hazed at a Wayne County-area college, the individuals responsible — and the organization itself — can face criminal charges.

2. Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable

Criminal charges punish the individuals. But civil lawsuits hold the institutions accountable — the fraternities, the national organizations, and the universities that allowed this to happen.

In Ohio, you can sue for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
• Wrongful death damages (if your child died)

Who can be sued?

• The local fraternity chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi at Ohio State)
• The national fraternity organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National)
• The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
• Individual members (including chapter officers)
• Alumni or others who facilitated hazing

Wayne County families: You don’t have to accept an apology or a slap on the wrist. You can demand justice — and compensation for the harm done.

💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like: The Case That Shows Why Wayne County Families Need to Act

We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even a student at the university yet — he was a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer for the upcoming semester.

What happened to him is happening to students near Wayne County right now.

The Hazing That Hospitalized Our Client:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls — until his muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with a weapon
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to keep running
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass — humiliation and health risk
• Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
• Another pledge collapsed and lost consciousness — and they kept going

The result?

• Rhabdomyolysis — his muscles broke down, releasing toxins into his blood
• Acute kidney failure — life-threatening condition
• 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital — fighting for his life
• Permanent health risks — potential long-term kidney damage

This isn’t “tradition.” This is torture. And it’s happening at colleges near Wayne County.

🏛️ Who Is Really Responsible? The Institutions That Failed Wayne County Students

When hazing happens, the fraternity members who participated are just the tip of the iceberg. The real responsibility lies with the institutions that allowed this culture to thrive.

1. National Fraternity Organizations

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, and others have 150+ chapters across America — including near Wayne County
• They collect millions in dues and fees from students
• They have insurance policies that cover hazing incidents
• They know about the hazing culture — but they don’t stop it

In our case:

• Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” — but failed to enforce their own policies
• They had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event in 2017
• They did nothing — and now Leonel Bermudez is in the hospital

The same nationals are operating chapters near Wayne County. They’re making the same mistakes. And they’re putting your children at risk.

2. Universities and Colleges

Universities have a legal duty to protect their students. But too often, they turn a blind eye to hazing.

How universities fail students:

• They own the fraternity houses — but don’t inspect them for hazing
• They have Greek life oversight offices — but don’t enforce anti-hazing policies
• They know hazing happens — but don’t act until someone gets hurt (or dies)
• They prioritize reputation over safety — protecting the institution, not the students

In our case:

• The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house — where the waterboarding and forced exercise occurred
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha) — but didn’t implement real oversight
• They failed to protect Leonel Bermudez — despite owning the property where the torture happened

Wayne County families: Your child’s university may be failing them too.

3. Individual Fraternity Members

The students who participate in hazing are often young and impressionable — but that doesn’t excuse their actions.

Individuals can be held personally liable for:

• Assault and battery (physical abuse)
• False imprisonment (preventing someone from leaving)
• Reckless endangerment (putting someone’s life at risk)
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress (psychological torture)

In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally for his role in the hazing death.

Wayne County families: The individuals who hazed your child can be held personally accountable — and we will pursue them.

💰 What Your Hazing Case Could Be Worth: Multi-Million Dollar Precedents

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts — especially when institutions are involved. Here’s what similar cases have won:

Wayne County families: These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can — and do — win big. Your case could be worth millions.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Wayne County

If your child has been hazed at a college near Wayne County, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation
• Document everything — bruises, cuts, pain, psychological symptoms
• Save all medical records — these are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos and videos of injuries, hazing locations, any items used in hazing
• Save all communications — texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, social media posts
• Get witness names and contact info — other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing or incriminating

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• Do NOT give a statement to the fraternity, university, or their lawyers
• Do NOT sign anything without legal counsel
• Do NOT accept an apology or settlement offer — these are often lowball attempts to silence you

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Ohio’s statute of limitations is 2 years — you have limited time to act
• Evidence disappears fast — fraternities delete messages, destroy records, intimidate witnesses
• You need someone who knows how to fight these cases — we do

Wayne County families: Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

🛡️ Why Wayne County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re not just any law firm. We’re hazing litigation specialists — and we’re fighting this battle right now.

1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We represent Leonel Bermudez, who was waterboarded and hospitalized with kidney failure
• We’ve filed suit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individuals
• We know how to build these cases — and we know how to win

2. We Have Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Our Team

• Both of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies
• We know how they think, how they strategize, and how they try to minimize claims
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery

3. We Have Federal Court Authority — We Can Fight Anywhere

• We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• We have dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
• Distance is not a barrier — we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Ohio

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Wayne County Families

• We don’t get paid unless you get paid
• No hourly fees, no retainers
• You pay nothing upfront — we take our fee from the settlement or verdict

5. We’re Aggressive — And We Won’t Back Down

• We’ve taken on BP after the Texas City explosion (15 deaths, 180+ injuries)
• We’ve won multi-million dollar settlements for injury victims
• We’ve defeated insurance companies in court
• We will fight for Wayne County families with the same tenacity

6. We Understand the Culture — And We Know How to Break It

• Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach — he understands team dynamics and locker room culture
• We know how fraternities operate — and we know their weaknesses
• We know how to expose the truth and hold institutions accountable

🎯 Our Strategy for Wayne County Hazing Cases

When we take on a hazing case, we don’t just file a lawsuit. We launch a full-scale campaign to expose the truth, hold the guilty accountable, and prevent future hazing.

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they save all evidence
• Obtain text messages, social media posts, photos, videos
• Interview witnesses before they forget or are intimidated
• Secure medical records and expert testimony

2. Aggressive Discovery

• Depose fraternity officers, national leaders, university administrators
• Subpoena internal fraternity communications, training materials, incident reports
• Request all prior hazing complaints at the chapter and university
• Uncover patterns of abuse that prove systemic negligence

3. Media and Public Pressure

• Work with local and national media to expose the truth
• Put pressure on universities and national organizations to take action
• Mobilize alumni, donors, and legislators to demand change

4. Legislative Advocacy

• Work with Ohio legislators to strengthen anti-hazing laws
• Support federal legislation like the Stop Campus Hazing Act
• Push for mandatory reporting and transparency at Ohio universities

5. Maximizing Your Recovery

• Pursue all available insurance policies (fraternity, university, individual)
• Identify all liable parties (chapter, nationals, university, individuals)
• Calculate full economic and non-economic damages
• Fight for punitive damages to punish egregious conduct

📞 Wayne County Families: Call Us Now — 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed at a college near Wayne County, you don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept an apology. You don’t have to let them get away with it.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we fight for hazing victims.

What You Can Expect When You Call:

1. A free, confidential consultation — no obligation, no pressure
2. An honest assessment of your case — we’ll tell you if you have a claim
3. Immediate action to preserve evidence — before it disappears
4. Aggressive representation — we don’t back down from powerful institutions
5. A commitment to justice — for your child, and for all future victims

We Represent Hazing Victims Nationwide — Including Wayne County, Ohio

• The College of Wooster
• Ashland University
• Ohio State University
• University of Akron
• Kent State University
• Any Ohio college or university

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

⚠️ Wayne County Families: Time Is Running Out

Ohio’s statute of limitations for hazing cases is 2 years. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Evidence disappears.

• Fraternities delete messages
• Universities destroy records
• Witnesses forget or move away

Don’t let them silence your child’s story. Don’t let them get away with abuse.

Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re ready to fight for you.

🔥 A Message to Wayne County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Wayne County:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Beta Theta Pi
• Phi Delta Theta
• And all the rest

We are watching. We are coming. And we will hold you accountable.

The same legal strategies that won $10 million for our client in Texas apply to your chapters in Ohio. The same pattern evidence that exposed your negligence in Texas exists in Ohio. The same juries that awarded millions to hazing victims sit in Ohio courtrooms.

If you haze students in Wayne County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down.
Your chapter could be next.

🏆 Our Promise to Wayne County Families

We promise to fight for you with everything we have. We promise to pursue every liable party — the fraternity, the nationals, the university, the individuals. We promise to maximize your recovery. And we promise to do everything in our power to prevent this from happening to another Wayne County family.

Leonel Bermudez’s attorney, Lupe Pena, said it best:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Wayne County families: It’s time to bring this to light. It’s time for enough to be enough.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Your consultation is free. Your case matters. And we are ready to fight for you.