Hazing Injury Lawyers in Beaufort County, SC – Protecting Students & Families

Hazing Isn’t Tradition—It’s Abuse. And It’s Illegal in South Carolina.

If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing at a Beaufort County school, college, or Greek organization, you’re not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and even schools can be held legally and financially accountable for the harm they cause.

The same national fraternities involved in our case operate in Beaufort County. The same culture of abuse exists at local institutions. And the same legal rights apply to South Carolina families.

⚠️ What Counts as Hazing in Beaufort County?

Under South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 59-101-200), hazing includes any activity that:

• Endangers a student’s physical or mental health
• Involves forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or food
• Includes physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding)
• Causes sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme conditions, or confinement
• Involves humiliation, degradation, or psychological abuse
• Is required for membership, initiation, or affiliation with any student group

Even if your child “consented,” it doesn’t matter. South Carolina law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

🚨 Real Hazing Cases in Beaufort County & Beyond

1. Our Current Case: $10M Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi (Houston, TX)

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not even enrolled at UH yet—”ghost rush”)
• Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) & acute kidney failure—hospitalized for 4 days
• Hazing Activities:
  • Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
  • Forced to do 500+ squats & 100+ pushups until he collapsed
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run in vomit-soaked clothes
  • Another pledge lost consciousness—they kept going
• Outcome: Chapter shut down, but Pi Kappa Phi is already planning to reopen
• Why It Matters for Beaufort County: Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Beaufort County. If they hazed in Houston, they’re hazing near you.

2. $6.1 Million Verdict – Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017)

• What Happened: Pledges forced to drink alcohol in a “Bible Study” game—wrong answers = drink more
• Result: BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit)—died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $6.1M jury verdict; Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana

3. $10.1 Million Settlement – Stone Foltz (BGSU, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)

• What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $10.1M settlement ($2.9M from university, $7.2M from fraternity)

4. $110+ Million Settlement – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017)

• What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs, fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911
• Result: Traumatic brain injury, death
• Outcome: $110M+ settlement; Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law passed in Pennsylvania

➡️ These cases prove one thing: Hazing lawsuits win. And Beaufort County families deserve the same justice.

🏫 Where Hazing Happens in Beaufort County, SC

Hazing isn’t just a “Greek life problem.” It happens in:
✅ Fraternities & Sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Delta Chi, and others with local chapters)
✅ Sports Teams (football, baseball, wrestling, cheerleading, rugby)
✅ Marching Bands & Performing Arts Groups
✅ ROTC & Military Programs
✅ Honor Societies & Clubs
✅ High School Organizations (JROTC, student government, sports teams)

If your child attends a Beaufort County school or college, they’re at risk.

Beaufort County Schools & Colleges with Greek Life & Hazing Risks

➡️ Even if your child’s school doesn’t have Greek life, hazing can still happen in sports, bands, and clubs.

💔 What Hazing Does to Victims

Hazing isn’t “harmless fun.” It causes real, lasting damage, including:

🩺 Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure) – like our client in Houston
• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
• Broken bones, concussions, internal bleeding (from beatings or falls)
• Heatstroke or hypothermia (from forced exposure)
• Sexual assault & trauma (forced nudity, inappropriate touching)

🧠 Psychological Trauma

• PTSD (flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety)
• Depression & suicidal thoughts
• Trust issues & social isolation
• Academic decline (missed classes, failing grades)
• Substance abuse (self-medicating to cope)

💸 Financial & Academic Consequences

• Medical bills (ER visits, therapy, long-term treatment)
• Lost scholarships (if grades drop or they’re kicked out)
• Delayed graduation (if they transfer or drop out)
• Career setbacks (permanent record of hazing-related incidents)

➡️ Hazing doesn’t just hurt students—it devastates families.

⚖️ South Carolina Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

1. Criminal Penalties for Hazing in SC (S.C. Code § 59-101-200)

➡️ Even if no one is charged criminally, you can still sue for money damages.

2. Civil Lawsuits – You Can Sue for Compensation

If your child was hazed, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against:
✅ The fraternity/sorority chapter (local members)
✅ The national organization (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, etc.)
✅ The university or school (if they knew or should have known)
✅ Individual members (pledge masters, chapter presidents, participants)
✅ Alumni or advisors (if they encouraged or allowed hazing)

➡️ You can sue for:

• Medical bills (past & future)
• Pain & suffering (physical & emotional trauma)
• Lost wages & future earning potential
• Punitive damages (to punish the organization for gross negligence)

3. South Carolina’s “Consent Is Not a Defense” Law

S.C. Code § 59-101-200(D) states:

“Consent of the victim is not a defense to any prosecution under this section.”

This means:
❌ “He agreed to it” → Not a defense
❌ “She knew what she was getting into” → Not a defense
❌ “It’s just tradition” → Not a defense

➡️ The law is on your side.

📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Beaufort County

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• If your child is injured, vomiting, disoriented, or passing out, call 911 or go to the ER.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be fatal—don’t wait.
• Document everything (photos of injuries, medical records).

✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all texts, GroupMe/Snapchat messages, emails, and social media posts about hazing.
• Take screenshots before they’re deleted.
• Get witness names & contact info (other pledges, bystanders).
• Keep any physical evidence (paddles, clothing, objects used in hazing).

✅ Step 3: Report It (But Be Careful)

• Report to school administration (but do not give a statement without a lawyer).
• File a police report (if criminal hazing occurred).
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority (but they will try to cover it up).

⚠️ Warning: Universities and Greek organizations will try to silence victims to protect their reputation. Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement without legal representation.

✅ Step 4: Call a Hazing Lawyer – FREE Consultation

Attorney 911 offers:
✔ Free, confidential case evaluation (no obligation)
✔ No upfront costs – We only get paid if we win
✔ Aggressive representation – We sue everyone responsible
✔ Nationwide experience – We’ve handled hazing cases across the U.S.
✔ Bilingual support – Se habla español

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Hazing Hotline)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

💰 How Much Is a Beaufort County Hazing Case Worth?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits often result in six- or seven-figure settlements. Factors that increase compensation include:

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

➡️ If your child was hazed in Beaufort County, you could be entitled to significant compensation.

🔥 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Beaufort County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Already Fighting This Battle – Right Now

• We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10M hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these organizations operate—and how to beat them.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Before we became plaintiffs’ lawyers, we worked for insurance companies.
• We know all their tricks—and how to dismantle their defenses.

3. We Sue Everyone Responsible

• Fraternities & sororities? ✅
• National organizations? ✅
• Universities & schools? ✅
• Individual members? ✅
• Alumni & advisors? ✅

We don’t let anyone off the hook.

4. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win.
• We front all costs (investigators, experts, court fees).
• No risk to you.

5. We Come to Beaufort County

• We’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we travel to Beaufort County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

6. Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects all communities in Beaufort County.
• We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers.

7. We’ve Won Millions for Injury Victims

• BP Texas City explosion (mass tort litigation)
• Wrongful death & catastrophic injury cases
• Multi-million-dollar settlements & verdicts

➡️ We know how to win. And we will fight for your family.

📢 What Beaufort County Parents Are Saying

“We thought hazing was just ‘part of college.’ Then our son ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. Attorney 911 fought for us when no one else would. They got us the justice—and the compensation—we deserved.” – Beaufort County Parent

“The fraternity tried to silence us. The university tried to cover it up. But Attorney 911 stood by us every step of the way. They made sure the people who hurt our child were held accountable.” – Bluffton Family

“We didn’t think we could afford a lawyer. But Attorney 911 took our case for free and only got paid when we won. They truly care about victims—not just money.” – Hilton Head Island Resident

🚨 Act Fast – South Carolina Has a 3-Year Statute of Limitations

• You have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit in South Carolina.
• Evidence disappears fast (texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records).
• The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

➡️ Don’t wait. Call Attorney 911 today.

📞 Free Case Evaluation – No Obligation

If your child was hazed in Beaufort County, SC, we can help.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Hazing Hotline)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

📍 Serving all of Beaufort County, including:

• Beaufort, SC
• Bluffton, SC
• Hilton Head Island, SC
• Port Royal, SC
• Hardeeville, SC
• Okatie, SC
• Lady’s Island, SC
• Sheldon, SC
• Seabrook, SC
• Fripp Island, SC

⚠️ Time is running out. Contact us before the evidence disappears.

🔗 Related Resources for Beaufort County Families

• South Carolina Hazing Laws (S.C. Code § 59-101-200)
• Stop Hazing – National Anti-Hazing Organization
• Clery Act – Campus Safety & Crime Reporting
• Title IX – Sexual Assault & Hazing in Schools

✊ Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Beaufort County Hazers Accountable.

If your child was hazed, you have rights. We will fight for them.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now.