Chesterfield County Hazing Lawyers – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable

Attorney 911 – Fighting for Hazing Victims in Chesterfield County and Across South Carolina

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Chesterfield County, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston have chapters at universities near Chesterfield County. The same negligence that hospitalized our client exists at institutions in your community.

You have legal rights. We know how to enforce them.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Chesterfield County families.

📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

The Hazing Crisis in Chesterfield County – What Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s assault, battery, and sometimes torture—and it happens right here in Chesterfield County.

Universities & Colleges Near Chesterfield County Where Hazing Occurs

While Chesterfield County itself is home to Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College, many local students attend larger universities where Greek life thrives, including:

• Francis Marion University (Florence, SC) – Active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities
• Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC) – Major Greek system with documented hazing incidents
• University of South Carolina (USC) – Columbia & Upstate – Large Greek organizations with prior hazing violations
• Clemson University – High-profile Greek life with past hazing scandals
• Winthrop University – Active fraternities and sororities with oversight challenges

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi—have active chapters at universities near Chesterfield County.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at one of these schools, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Constitutes Hazing in South Carolina?

South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 59-101-210) defines hazing as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”

Common Hazing Practices in Chesterfield County & Beyond

Hazing isn’t limited to extreme cases like waterboarding or forced drinking. It includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise until collapse
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., peppercorns, milk) until vomiting
✅ Sleep deprivation – Late-night activities, forced driving of members
✅ Psychological torture – Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
✅ Waterboarding & simulated drowning – As seen in our current case
✅ Sexual humiliation – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual acts
✅ Servitude – Cleaning, driving members, running errands

If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed—and the organization is legally responsible.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Chesterfield County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be sued, including:

In our current case, we’re suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”)
• The local UH chapter (for waterboarding and extreme physical abuse)
• The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where hazing occurred)
• Individual members and officers (for participating in and facilitating hazing)

Chesterfield County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

What Damages Can Chesterfield County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing causes physical, emotional, and financial harm. Victims and families may be entitled to compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Hospitalization (our client was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure)
• Surgery (if required due to hazing injuries)
• Rehabilitation & physical therapy
• Mental health treatment (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Future medical monitoring

2. Lost Wages & Educational Impact

• Missed work due to injuries
• Lost internship or job opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement if forced to drop out
• Scholarship loss due to academic decline

3. Pain & Suffering

• Physical pain from hazing injuries
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

4. Punitive Damages (in Extreme Cases)

If the hazing involved egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, torture, forced consumption leading to hospitalization), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Real Hazing Cases – Multi-Million Dollar Verdicts & Settlements

Hazing cases win in court—and the verdicts are substantial. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Our current case: We’re seeking $10 million for our client who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats at a Pi Kappa Phi event.

The same fraternities operate near Chesterfield County. The same negligence exists at your child’s school. You deserve the same justice.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Chesterfield County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, hazing can cause life-threatening conditions (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, internal bleeding).
• Document everything—hospital records are critical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✔ Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing
✔ Texts/Group Chats – Screenshots of hazing instructions, threats, or admissions
✔ Social Media – Posts about hazing events (do not delete anything)
✔ Witness Information – Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
✔ Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records

Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers

• They will try to minimize liability and shift blame.
• Anything you say can be used against you.
• Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.

Step 4: Contact a Chesterfield County Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Statute of limitations in South Carolina: 3 years (but evidence disappears fast).
• The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
• We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Why Chesterfield County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

• We’re actively litigating a hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how to build these cases and hold institutions accountable.
• Chesterfield County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies.
• We know exactly how they try to deny or minimize claims.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

• We’re admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue hazing cases nationwide, including in South Carolina.
• No matter where the hazing occurred, we can help.

4. Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York)

• Strategic advantage for suing national fraternities (many are headquartered in New York).
• We can pursue out-of-state defendants aggressively.

5. Se Habla Español – Bilingual Representation

• Hazing affects all communities, including Spanish-speaking families.
• We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers.

6. We Travel to Chesterfield County for Your Case

• We’ll come to Chesterfield County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances.
• Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. Contingency Fee Basis – No Upfront Costs

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• We only get paid when you get paid.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Chesterfield County

1. Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?

Yes. South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 59-101-210) states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

2. How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but factors that increase value include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, torture, forced consumption)
• Pattern of abuse (prior hazing incidents at the same chapter)
• University’s knowledge (did they know about prior hazing?)
• Defendants’ ability to pay (national fraternities have deep pockets)

Our current case is seeking $10 million. Your case could be worth just as much.

3. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

• South Carolina statute of limitations for personal injury: 3 years from the date of the hazing incident.
• Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death.
• But don’t wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records.

4. Can I sue the university, or just the fraternity?

Yes, you can sue the university. If the university:

• Owns the fraternity house (like UH did in our case)
• Knew or should have known about hazing
• Failed to implement proper oversight
• Had prior hazing incidents on campus

Universities have a duty to protect students. When they fail, they can be held liable.

5. What if my child was hazed but wasn’t seriously injured?

Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a case for:

• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Medical expenses (therapy, counseling)
• Educational disruption (dropped classes, lost scholarships)

Contact us for a free evaluation—we’ll review your case and explain your options.

6. Will my child’s name be made public?

• We protect our clients’ privacy as much as possible.
• Many hazing victims fear retaliation—we take that seriously.
• In some cases, we can file under seal or use pseudonyms to protect identities.

The Attorney 911 Difference – How We Fight for Chesterfield County Hazing Victims

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• We send preservation letters to fraternities, universities, and individuals to prevent evidence destruction.
• We subpoena text messages, social media, and internal documents before they’re deleted.

2. Aggressive Negotiation & Litigation

• We don’t accept lowball settlement offers.
• If defendants won’t pay fairly, we take them to trial.
• We’ve won millions for personal injury victims—we know how to win hazing cases.

3. Medical & Psychological Expert Support

• We work with doctors, psychologists, and life care planners to document the full extent of your child’s injuries.
• We calculate future medical costs and long-term impact on your child’s life.

4. Media & Public Pressure

• We leverage media coverage to hold institutions accountable.
• Public pressure forces settlements and prevents future hazing.

5. Legislative Advocacy

• We work with South Carolina legislators to strengthen hazing laws.
• Our current case has already gained national attention—we’re fighting for systemic change.

Chesterfield County Hazing Victims – You Are Not Powerless

Hazing thrives in secrecy. The only way to stop it is to expose it.

If your child was hazed at Francis Marion University, Coastal Carolina, USC, Clemson, Winthrop, or any other school near Chesterfield County, we can help.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

We don’t get paid unless you win. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Take Action Today – Before It’s Too Late

The fraternities, universities, and insurance companies want you to stay silent. They want you to believe you have no options.

You do.

We’re Attorney 911. We’re fighting this battle right now—and we’ll fight for you too.

🚨 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Justice starts with one brave family. Let that family be yours.