Hazing Lawyer in South Carolina: Protecting Victims and Holding Fraternities Accountable
South Carolina Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been a victim of hazing in South Carolina, you may feel overwhelmed, angry, or even powerless. But you are not alone. Hazing is not tradition—it is abuse. And in South Carolina, victims and their families have legal rights to hold those responsible accountable.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. We know how these cases work, and we are ready to bring that same fight to South Carolina.
Why South Carolina Families Trust Attorney 911
✅ Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience – We are currently suing a major fraternity and university for hazing, proving we know how to win these cases.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how fraternities and universities try to avoid accountability, and we know how to counter their tactics.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue cases in federal court, giving us more leverage against national organizations.
✅ Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York) – This allows us to take on national fraternities headquartered in different states.
✅ Contingency Fee Representation – You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
✅ Se Habla Español – We serve Spanish-speaking families in South Carolina without language barriers.
What Is Hazing in South Carolina?
Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.
Common Hazing Practices in South Carolina
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion)
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, alcohol poisoning)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning (torture)
- Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, forced driving)
- Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
- Forced consumption of food or non-food items (until vomiting)
- Sexual humiliation or assault
South Carolina Hazing Laws
South Carolina has strict anti-hazing laws under S.C. Code § 59-101-200, which makes hazing a criminal offense punishable by:
- Fines
- Jail time
- Expulsion from school
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a South Carolina Hazing Case?
Hazing cases involve multiple defendants, including:
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter (directly responsible for the abuse)
- The national fraternity/sorority organization (failed to supervise, ignored prior incidents)
- The university/college (failed to protect students, knew about hazing risks)
- Individual members (those who participated in or facilitated hazing)
- Alumni or advisors (if they were involved or enabled the behavior)
South Carolina Universities with Greek Life Hazing Risks
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these South Carolina schools, they may be at risk of hazing:
| University | City | Notable Greek Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina (USC) | Columbia | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Chi Omega |
| Clemson University | Clemson | Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Alpha Order, Delta Delta Delta |
| College of Charleston | Charleston | Pi Kappa Phi (founded here), Kappa Alpha Theta, Sigma Nu |
| Coastal Carolina University | Conway | Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu |
| Furman University | Greenville | Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Delta, Sigma Chi |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi |
| Winthrop University | Rock Hill | Alpha Delta Pi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Kappa Alpha Psi |
| The Citadel | Charleston | Corps of Cadets (not traditional Greek life, but hazing has been reported) |
If your child was hazed at any of these schools, we can help.
What Should You Do If Your Child Was Hazed in South Carolina?
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can lead to kidney failure (as in our current case).
- Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional treatment.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails (do NOT delete anything)
- Medical records (hospital visits, therapy notes)
- Witness contact information (other pledges, friends, bystanders)
- Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to minimize the incident or blame your child.
- They may destroy evidence or coordinate stories to avoid liability.
- Any statement you give can be used against you in court.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email ralph@atty911.com
- Schedule a free consultation (in-person or video)
Time is critical. South Carolina has a statute of limitations, and evidence disappears quickly.
What Compensation Can South Carolina Hazing Victims Receive?
Hazing victims in South Carolina may be entitled to:
✅ Medical expenses (past and future)
✅ Lost wages (if unable to work due to injuries)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for gross negligence)
✅ Educational disruption costs (tuition refunds, scholarship losses)
✅ Therapy and mental health treatment
Case Precedents: Hazing Victims Win Millions
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | LSU | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement |
Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and UH is seeking $10 million. The same compensation is available for South Carolina victims.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your South Carolina Hazing Case?
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from hazing.
- We know how these organizations operate and how to hold them accountable.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
- Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate.”
- South Carolina law says consent is NOT a defense.
- We will destroy this argument in court.
3. We Have Insider Knowledge as Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We used to defend insurance companies—now we use that knowledge against them.
- We know their tactics, strategies, and weaknesses.
4. We Can Pursue Cases Nationwide
- Even though we are based in Texas, we can represent South Carolina victims through:
- Federal court authority (we are admitted to U.S. District Court)
- Video consultations (no need to travel)
- Willingness to travel to South Carolina for depositions and trials
5. We Work on Contingency—No Upfront Costs
- You pay nothing unless we win.
- We take the risk so you can focus on your child’s recovery.
6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
- Hazing affects all communities, including Hispanic students.
- We provide full legal services in Spanish to ensure no language barriers.
South Carolina Hazing Hotspots: Where Hazing Happens Most
1. University of South Carolina (USC) – Columbia
- Largest Greek system in South Carolina (over 50 fraternities and sororities).
- Pi Kappa Phi (the fraternity we are currently suing) has a chapter here.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon has faced hazing allegations in the past.
- USC’s Greek Village is a high-risk area for hazing incidents.
2. Clemson University – Clemson
- Strong Greek life culture with over 40 fraternities and sororities.
- Sigma Phi Epsilon (Clemson) was involved in the Tucker Hipps hazing death (2014).
- Kappa Alpha Order has faced multiple hazing investigations.
3. College of Charleston – Charleston
- Pi Kappa Phi was founded here in 1904—their original chapter.
- Hazing culture runs deep in some organizations.
- Kappa Alpha Theta and Sigma Nu have faced disciplinary actions.
4. Coastal Carolina University – Conway
- Smaller but active Greek life with hazing risks.
- Alpha Sigma Phi and Delta Zeta have had incidents.
5. The Citadel – Charleston
- Not traditional Greek life, but hazing in the Corps of Cadets has been reported.
- Military-style hazing can be just as dangerous.
What If My Child Was Hazed at a South Carolina High School?
Hazing isn’t just a college problem—it happens in high schools too, especially in:
- Football teams
- Marching bands
- JROTC programs
- Cheerleading squads
South Carolina high school hazing is illegal under S.C. Code § 59-63-1150, and victims can sue for damages.
Next Steps for South Carolina Families
If your child has been hazed in South Carolina, act now:
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email ralph@atty911.com
- Schedule a free consultation (in-person or video)
- Preserve all evidence (photos, texts, medical records)
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university without a lawyer
We Will Travel to South Carolina for Your Case
We are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we will come to South Carolina for:
- Depositions
- Client meetings
- Trials
- University investigations
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
South Carolina Hazing Victims: Enough Is Enough
Hazing has destroyed lives in South Carolina. It’s time to hold these organizations accountable.
If your child was hazed in South Carolina, we will fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless we win. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Recent Hazing Cases in the News
- Pi Kappa Phi Sued for $10 Million After Student Hospitalized with Kidney Failure (ABC13, November 2025)
- UT Austin Student Dies After Alleged Hazing by Sigma Chi Fraternity (KXAN, November 2025)
- Stone Foltz Family Wins $10 Million in Hazing Lawsuit (AP News, 2024)
The time to act is now. Call Attorney 911 today.
