🚨 Hazing Victims in Morrow County, Oregon: You Have Rights, You Have Power, You Have Attorney 911
This isn’t tradition. This isn’t bonding. This isn’t “boys being boys.” This is abuse. This is assault. This is illegal. And it’s happening right here in Morrow County.
If you or someone you love has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization at Blue Mountain Community College, Morrow County High School, or any institution near Morrow County, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now—and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Morrow County families that we’re using in our $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
🔥 What’s Happening in Houston Is Happening in Morrow County
Right now, our attorneys are litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for what they did to Leonel Bermudez:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose—simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Struck with wooden paddles—physical assault with weapons
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Another pledge collapsed unconscious—they kept going
- Hospitalized for 4 days—fighting for his life
This didn’t happen in some distant state. This happened at a major university. The same fraternities operate at institutions near Morrow County. The same culture exists in Morrow County Greek life. The same negligence exists at Morrow County institutions.
If you’re a student at Blue Mountain Community College, a parent in Heppner, Boardman, or Ione, or a family in any part of Morrow County, your child could be next.
⚠️ Hazing in Morrow County: What You Need to Know
The Reality of Hazing in Eastern Oregon
Morrow County may be rural, but our students attend colleges and universities where Greek life thrives:
- Blue Mountain Community College (Pendleton campus) has active student organizations
- Many Morrow County students attend Eastern Oregon University in La Grande—where Greek life exists
- Others go to Oregon State University in Corvallis, University of Oregon in Eugene, or Portland State University—all with active Greek systems
- Even high school teams and clubs in Heppner, Boardman, and Ione have been known to engage in hazing rituals
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide have chapters near Morrow County. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—they all operate in Oregon. And they all have the same hazing culture we’re fighting in Texas.
What Hazing Looks Like in Morrow County
Hazing isn’t just “a little roughhousing.” In Morrow County and across America, hazing includes:
| Type of Hazing | Examples | Medical Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Paddling, beating, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion | Broken bones, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure (like our client) |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Alcohol poisoning, choking, aspiration |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep | Mental health crises, accidents |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide |
| Exposure | Forced nudity in cold weather, confined spaces | Hypothermia, heat stroke |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands | Exhaustion, academic decline |
This is what’s happening to Morrow County students right now. And it’s illegal under Oregon law.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Morrow County Hazing Victim
Oregon Anti-Hazing Law: It’s a Crime
Oregon Revised Statutes § 163.197 makes hazing a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $6,250 in fines.
Definition of Hazing in Oregon:
Any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.
Key Points:
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if a student “agrees” to participate
- It applies to high schools AND colleges—including Blue Mountain Community College
- It applies to ALL organizations—fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs, bands
- It applies to alumni AND current members
Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages
Beyond criminal charges, Morrow County hazing victims can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
| Damage Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing |
| Educational Disruption | Missed classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships |
| Punitive Damages | Additional money to punish egregious conduct (like waterboarding) |
You can sue:
- The local chapter
- The national organization
- The university or college
- Individual members who participated
- Alumni who facilitated
- Anyone who knew and failed to stop it
Title IX: Gender-Based Hazing Protections
If you’re hazed in a sorority or any organization at a school receiving federal funding (like BMCC or EOU), Title IX may apply.
Title IX protects students from gender-based discrimination, including:
- Sexual harassment during hazing
- Gender-specific hazing rituals
- Unequal treatment based on gender
Morrow County schools must investigate Title IX complaints promptly and take action to stop the hazing.
💰 What Your Morrow County Hazing Case Could Be Worth
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what similar cases have won:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | OUR CASE | $10 million demanded |
These same results are possible for Morrow County victims. Our client survived with kidney failure—your child might not be so lucky.
What Affects Your Case Value?
| Factor | How It Increases Your Case |
|---|---|
| Severe physical injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression requiring therapy |
| Sexual assault component | Sexual hazing significantly increases value |
| Wrongful death | If hazing kills your child, damages are highest |
| Institutional knowledge | If school/fraternity knew about prior hazing |
| Cover-up attempts | Destruction of evidence increases punitive damages |
| Pattern of abuse | Multiple incidents at same chapter = punitive damages |
| Egregious conduct | Waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption |
🏢 Who We Sue for Morrow County Hazing Victims
1. The Local Chapter
The Morrow County chapter that organized and conducted the hazing is directly liable. We’ll pursue:
- The chapter president
- The pledgemaster
- All active members who participated
- Anyone who witnessed and failed to stop it
2. The National Organization
National fraternities and sororities have millions in assets and insurance. They’re liable for:
- Failing to supervise the Morrow County chapter
- Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Knowing about hazing culture and doing nothing
- Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, Beta, Phi Delt, Sigma Chi—we know how to sue them all
3. The University or College
Blue Mountain Community College, Eastern Oregon University, and other Morrow County institutions are liable for:
- Failing to protect students
- Failing to investigate reports of hazing
- Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Premises liability if hazing occurred on school property
- Negligent supervision of student organizations
4. Individual Perpetrators
Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be sued personally. This includes:
- Current members
- Alumni who hosted hazing events
- Advisors who turned a blind eye
- Anyone who knew and failed to report
📋 What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Morrow County
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away. Medical records are critical evidence for your case.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Do NOT delete anything. Save:
| Evidence Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house |
| Text Messages | GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp |
| Social Media | Posts, DMs, stories about hazing |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules |
| Witness Info | Names and contact info of other pledges |
| Medical Records | Hospital visits, therapy records, prescriptions |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition payments |
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
Do NOT:
- Confront fraternity/sorority leadership
- Give statements to university administrators
- Sign anything from the organization
- Talk to their lawyers or insurance representatives
They will try to:
- Get you to admit fault
- Destroy evidence
- Intimidate you into silence
- Offer you a lowball settlement
Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media
Anything you post can be used against you. Even innocent posts like:
- “I’m fine” (they’ll say you weren’t really hurt)
- Party photos (they’ll say you were drinking voluntarily)
- Jokes about hazing (they’ll say you consented)
Stay off social media until your case is resolved.
Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
Call us before you do anything else. We’ll:
- Guide you through evidence preservation
- Handle all communications with the organization
- File reports with law enforcement if needed
- Begin building your case immediately
Morrow County hazing victims: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
🎯 Why Morrow County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. Morrow County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know their playbook. We know how they try to deny claims. We know how to dismantle their defenses.
3. Nationwide Reach for Morrow County Victims
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Morrow County. We have:
- Federal court authority—can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses—Texas AND New York
- Willingness to travel—we’ll come to Morrow County for depositions and trials
- Video consultation technology—Morrow County families can meet with us remotely
4. We Speak Your Language
Se habla español. Many hazing victims are from Hispanic families. We serve Morrow County’s Hispanic community without language barriers.
5. Contingency Fee Representation
$0 upfront. $0 unless we win. Morrow County families pay nothing out of pocket. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
6. We Understand Rural Communities
Morrow County is rural. We understand the values of Eastern Oregon families. We know that:
- Trust is everything—when that trust is broken, the hurt is deeper
- Community reputation matters—we’ll protect your privacy
- Distance can feel isolating—we’ll be your advocates no matter where you are
7. We Have the Resources to Fight
National fraternities and universities have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, and PR professionals. We have:
- A network of experts—medical, hazing culture, institutional negligence
- Litigation experience—we’ve taken cases to trial and won
- Media connections—we know how to tell your story
- The will to fight—we don’t back down from institutions
🏛️ The Institutions That Fail Morrow County Students
Blue Mountain Community College
BMCC serves Morrow County students at its Pendleton campus. While BMCC may not have traditional Greek life, hazing can occur in any student organization, sports team, or club.
BMCC’s Responsibility:
- Duty to protect students from hazing in any BMCC-affiliated organization
- Duty to investigate reports of hazing promptly
- Duty to enforce Oregon’s anti-hazing law
- Premises liability if hazing occurs on BMCC property
Eastern Oregon University (La Grande)
Many Morrow County students attend EOU. EOU has Greek life organizations that engage in hazing.
EOU’s Responsibility:
- Duty to supervise Greek organizations
- Duty to investigate hazing reports
- Duty to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Premises liability for hazing on EOU property
High Schools in Morrow County
Hazing isn’t just a college problem. Morrow County high schools have sports teams, bands, and clubs where hazing occurs.
School Districts at Risk:
- Morrow County School District (Heppner, Ione, Irrigon)
- Boardman School District
- Hermiston School District (serves some Morrow County students)
Schools’ Responsibility:
- Duty to protect students from hazing in any school-affiliated activity
- Duty to investigate reports of hazing
- Duty to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Premises liability for hazing on school property
National Fraternities with Oregon Chapters
These are the same organizations we’re suing in Texas. They operate near Morrow County too:
| Fraternity | Oregon Chapters | Hazing History |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | University of Oregon, Oregon State | OUR $10M LAWSUIT; Andrew Coffey death (2017) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | University of Oregon, Oregon State | Multiple hazing incidents nationwide |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | University of Oregon, Oregon State | Stone Foltz death (2021) |
| Beta Theta Pi | University of Oregon | Timothy Piazza death (2017) |
| Phi Delta Theta | University of Oregon | Maxwell Gruver death (2017) |
| Sigma Chi | Oregon State | Recent lawsuit at UT Austin (2025) |
If your child was hazed by any of these fraternities near Morrow County, we can sue the national organization.
📞 Morrow County Families: Call Us Now
This is your legal emergency. We are your first responders.
🚨 Free Consultation for Morrow County Hazing Victims
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
What Happens When You Call:
- We listen—you tell us what happened
- We evaluate—we assess your legal options
- We act—we begin building your case immediately
- We fight—we pursue every liable party for maximum compensation
We Serve All of Morrow County:
- Heppner
- Boardman
- Ione
- Irrigon
- Lexington
- Eightmile
- Ruggs
- And all surrounding areas
Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to Morrow County for your case.
🔥 Our Promise to Morrow County Families
- We will believe you—hazing victims are often doubted; we won’t
- We will protect you—from retaliation, intimidation, and further harm
- We will fight for you—against institutions with deep pockets and legal teams
- We will seek justice—not just compensation, but accountability
- We will honor your child—by ensuring this never happens to another Morrow County family
📅 Time Is Critical for Morrow County Victims
Oregon’s statute of limitations gives you only 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records.
Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Your consultation is free. Your case evaluation is confidential. Your fight for justice starts today.
🏆 Morrow County Hazing Victims: This Ends With You
Hazing has been happening for decades. Students have been dying. Lives have been ruined. Institutions have looked the other way.
But it doesn’t have to continue.
One brave victim can change everything. Our client Leonel Bermudez is speaking out. The Stone Foltz family spoke out. The Maxwell Gruver family spoke out. The Timothy Piazza family spoke out.
Now it’s Morrow County’s turn.
If you’ve been hazed at Blue Mountain Community College, Eastern Oregon University, or any Morrow County high school, you have the power to:
- Hold the perpetrators accountable
- Force institutions to change
- Protect the next Morrow County student
- Get the compensation you deserve
You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to be ashamed. You don’t have to be afraid.
You have Attorney 911.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Morrow County hazing victims: Call now. The fight for justice starts today.
