Hazing Victims in Douglas County, Oregon: Your Rights and How to Seek Justice

The Hazing Crisis in Douglas County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just happening in distant big-name universities – it’s occurring right here in Douglas County, Oregon. Whether your child attends Umpqua Community College, a local high school with active Greek organizations, or is considering joining a fraternity or sorority at a nearby university, they face real risks of hazing-related injuries.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a landmark $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Douglas County families. The same fraternities with documented hazing histories operate chapters near Douglas County, and local institutions face the same liability when they fail to protect students.

What Constitutes Hazing in Douglas County?

Under Oregon law and university policies, hazing includes any activity that:

• Endangers physical or mental health
• Involves forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Includes physical abuse or excessive exercise
• Involves psychological manipulation or humiliation
• Creates excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation
• Requires servitude or personal favors

Common hazing activities we see in Douglas County and surrounding areas include:

• Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
• Extreme physical challenges causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Psychological torture like waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Sleep deprivation affecting academic performance
• Humiliating rituals that cause lasting emotional trauma

The Medical Consequences of Hazing

The physical and psychological effects of hazing can be severe and long-lasting:

Physical Injuries:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning and related organ damage
• Broken bones from physical abuse
• Traumatic brain injuries from falls or beatings
• Heat stroke or hypothermia from exposure

Psychological Trauma:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe anxiety and depression
• Trust issues and social withdrawal
• Academic decline and lost educational opportunities
• Substance abuse as self-medication

In our current case, a young man was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being forced to perform extreme physical exercises. This same medical condition has occurred at universities near Douglas County.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Douglas County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties may share legal responsibility:

1. Local Chapters: The specific fraternity or sorority chapter that organized the hazing
2. National Organizations: The national fraternity/sorority that failed to supervise its local chapters
3. Universities and Colleges: Institutions that knew or should have known about hazing risks
4. Individual Members: Chapter officers and active members who participated
5. Alumni: Former members who facilitated hazing activities
6. Housing Corporations: Entities that own or control fraternity/sorority houses

Oregon’s Legal Framework for Hazing Cases

Oregon has specific laws addressing hazing:

Oregon Revised Statutes § 163.197 – Hazing:

• Makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor
• Consent is not a defense
• Applies to both high school and college organizations

University Policies:

• Most Oregon universities have strict anti-hazing policies
• Violations can result in suspension or expulsion
• Many institutions have reporting requirements

Civil Liability:

• Victims can sue for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
• Oregon has no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases
• Statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of injury

What Douglas County Families Should Do Immediately

If your child has been hazed:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation
2. Document Everything: Take photos of injuries, save text messages, preserve social media posts
3. Report the Incident: File reports with the university, local law enforcement, and appropriate Greek organizations
4. Do Not Sign Anything: Avoid signing documents from the organization without legal review
5. Contact an Attorney: Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Douglas County Hazing Case

Nationwide Experience with Local Focus

While based in Texas, we have extensive experience representing hazing victims nationwide, including cases with similar facts to those occurring in Douglas County. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case that demonstrates our ability to take on powerful institutions.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked as insurance defense attorneys before representing victims. We know how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize claims – and we know how to counter their strategies.

Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to practice in federal court, which allows us to pursue cases against national fraternities and sororities regardless of where they’re headquartered.

Bilingual Services

We offer comprehensive legal services in Spanish to serve Douglas County’s diverse community.

Contingency Fee Representation

We work on a contingency basis – you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Our Commitment to Douglas County Families

We understand that Douglas County families may feel intimidated by powerful national organizations and distant universities. That’s why we:

• Offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case
• Provide remote video consultations for convenience
• Travel to Douglas County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Handle all communications with insurance companies and defendants
• Work tirelessly to hold all responsible parties accountable

The Attorney 911 Difference

Case Study: Our Current $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after weeks of systematic hazing. The lawsuit details:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose
• Forced consumption of food until vomiting
• Extreme physical exercises (500 squats, 100 pushups)
• Being struck with wooden paddles
• Sleep deprivation and psychological torture

This case demonstrates our commitment to holding institutions accountable for hazing – and we’re ready to bring that same level of representation to Douglas County families.

What This Means for Douglas County

The same fraternities involved in our current case have active chapters at universities near Douglas County, including:

• University of Oregon in Eugene
• Oregon State University in Corvallis
• Southern Oregon University in Ashland
• Portland State University

If hazing can hospitalize a student in Houston, it can happen to students near Douglas County. The same national organizations, the same “traditions,” and the same negligent oversight exist right here in Oregon.

How We Build Strong Hazing Cases

Evidence Collection

We work with Douglas County families to gather:

• Medical records documenting injuries
• Photographs of injuries and hazing locations
• Text messages, social media posts, and group chats
• Witness statements from other victims
• Internal fraternity documents
• University records showing prior incidents

Expert Witnesses

We collaborate with:

• Medical experts to explain injuries
• Hazing culture experts to establish patterns
• Economic experts to calculate damages
• Mental health professionals to document psychological trauma

Legal Strategies

Our approach includes:

• Establishing institutional knowledge of hazing risks
• Demonstrating pattern evidence across multiple chapters
• Proving gross negligence to support punitive damages
• Holding individuals personally accountable
• Pursuing all available insurance coverage

Common Defenses and How We Counter Them

“Consent is Not a Defense”

Defendants often claim victims “consented” to hazing activities. Oregon law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. We use this statute to defeat this common argument.

“It Was Just Tradition”

We reframe hazing as systematic abuse rather than harmless tradition. Waterboarding, forced consumption, and extreme physical punishment are not traditions – they’re torts.

“We Didn’t Know”

We establish institutional knowledge through:

• Prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
• National organization records showing pattern evidence
• University records showing prior complaints
• Communications showing awareness of risks

Potential Damages in Douglas County Hazing Cases

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Educational disruption costs
• Rehabilitation expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement or disability

Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme misconduct, Oregon allows punitive damages to punish wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. Our current case includes allegations that support punitive damages.

The Legal Process for Douglas County Families

1. Initial Consultation: Free case evaluation
2. Investigation: Evidence gathering and expert consultation
3. Filing: Lawsuit filed in appropriate court
4. Discovery: Exchange of information with defendants
5. Negotiation: Settlement discussions
6. Trial: If necessary, presenting the case to a jury
7. Resolution: Settlement or verdict

Why Time is Critical for Douglas County Families

Oregon has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Evidence disappears quickly:

• Text messages get deleted
• Social media posts get removed
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be. We can send preservation letters to protect evidence and begin building your claim immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions for Douglas County Families

Q: My child was hazed at a university near Douglas County. Can you help?
A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide and can handle cases involving institutions near Douglas County.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We protect our clients’ identities and pursue legal action without putting them at risk. Our current client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is also fearful of retribution.

Q: How much will this cost?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Q: What if the hazing happened at a high school in Douglas County?
A: We handle hazing cases at all levels, including high schools. Oregon law applies to both high school and college organizations.

Q: Can we sue the national organization if the hazing happened locally?
A: Yes. National organizations can be held liable for failing to supervise their local chapters, even if the hazing occurred in Douglas County.

Universities Near Douglas County with Greek Life Presence

Several universities near Douglas County have active Greek organizations that may pose hazing risks:

1. University of Oregon (Eugene)

   • Distance from Douglas County: ~60 miles
   • Active Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities
   • Potential presence of national organizations with hazing histories

2. Oregon State University (Corvallis)

   • Distance from Douglas County: ~120 miles
   • Large Greek community
   • Potential for hazing activities

3. Southern Oregon University (Ashland)

   • Distance from Douglas County: ~80 miles
   • Greek organizations present
   • Smaller community with potential for peer pressure

4. Portland State University (Portland)

   • Distance from Douglas County: ~180 miles
   • Urban campus with Greek life
   • Potential for hazing in off-campus locations

5. Umpqua Community College (Roseburg)

   • Local community college with potential Greek organizations
   • Hazing can occur even at smaller institutions

Douglas County-Specific Considerations

Local Culture and Values

Douglas County families value community, education, and personal safety. Hazing contradicts these values and has no place in our local institutions. When hazing occurs, it violates the trust that Douglas County families place in educational organizations.

Economic Impact

Hazing can have significant economic consequences for Douglas County families:

• Medical bills for treatment
• Lost wages if parents need to care for injured children
• Educational disruptions that affect future earning potential
• Potential relocation costs if students need to transfer

Community Support

Douglas County has strong community networks that can support hazing victims. We work with local resources to ensure our clients receive comprehensive care during their recovery.

Our Promise to Douglas County Families

When you choose Attorney 911 for your hazing case:

1. We Listen: We take the time to understand your story and your goals
2. We Fight: We aggressively pursue all responsible parties
3. We Protect: We shield you from intimidation and retaliation
4. We Win: We leverage our experience to maximize your compensation
5. We Serve: We’re available 24/7 for Douglas County families

Contact Attorney 911 Today

If your child has been hazed in Douglas County or at a nearby university, don’t wait. The clock is ticking, and evidence is disappearing.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Or visit our website to schedule a consultation: attorney911.com

We serve Douglas County families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont – and we travel to Douglas County when needed.

Remember: The same fraternities that hospitalized our client in Houston operate near Douglas County. The same negligence that led to that hospitalization exists at institutions near Douglas County. Your child deserves the same aggressive representation we’re providing in our current case.

Douglas County families: Enough is enough. It’s time to hold them accountable.