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Hazing Victims in Kershaw County Deserve Justice – We Can Help

Attorney 911 is Fighting for Hazing Victims Across South Carolina – Including Kershaw County

If you or someone you love has been a victim of fraternity hazing, sorority hazing, or any form of abusive initiation rituals in Kershaw County, you don’t have to suffer in silence. You have legal rights, and we are here to fight for you.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – proving that these cases can and do win. Kershaw County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas. While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our federal court authority and nationwide reach allow us to serve hazing victims anywhere in America – including Kershaw County.

Why Kershaw County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after our client was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. This isn’t just a case we could take – it’s a case we’re fighting right now.

What happened in Houston can happen in Kershaw County. The same fraternities operate at universities near Kershaw County, including:

University of South Carolina
Francis Marion University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
Clemson University
Winthrop University

If your child was hazed in Kershaw County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for our client in Houston.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know How They Fight

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. This means we know exactly how insurance companies and university legal teams try to minimize or deny claims. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside – and now we use that knowledge to maximize recovery for victims.

When you hire Attorney 911, you’re not just getting lawyers – you’re getting former insiders who know how to dismantle their defenses.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Pursue Your Kershaw County Case Anywhere

Our attorneys are admitted to U.S. District Court, giving us the ability to pursue hazing cases in federal jurisdiction. This means distance is not a barrier – we can represent Kershaw County families regardless of where the hazing occurred.

4. Dual-State Licensed – Texas and New York

We are licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages when pursuing national fraternity organizations headquartered outside South Carolina.

5. $0 Upfront – We Work on Contingency

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win. There are no upfront fees, no hourly charges, and no financial risk to you.

6. We Come to Kershaw County

Our attorneys will travel to Kershaw County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. We are committed to providing personalized, local-level service to Kershaw County families.

7. Se Habla Español – Bilingual Support for Kershaw County Families

We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish for Spanish-speaking clients, ensuring no language barriers prevent you from getting the justice you deserve.

The Hazing Crisis in Kershaw County – What You Need to Know

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Texas – It Happens in South Carolina Too

The same fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide have active chapters at universities near Kershaw County, including:

Pi Kappa Phi (linked to our current $10M lawsuit)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
Phi Delta Theta
Kappa Sigma
Sigma Chi
And many others

These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. If your child was hazed in Kershaw County, you have the same legal rights as families in Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.

What Counts as Hazing in South Carolina?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

Examples of hazing that has led to lawsuits and settlements:

Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, drinking games)
Extreme physical exertion (500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides”)
Waterboarding or simulated drowning (as seen in our current case)
Beatings with paddles or other objects
Forced eating until vomiting
Sleep deprivation
Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
Sexual assault or harassment
Branding or burning
Confinement in small spaces

If your child experienced any of these in Kershaw County, they were hazed – and you may have a case.

Hazing Can Cause Serious – Even Deadly – Injuries

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It can cause life-threatening injuries, including:

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure – as seen in our current case)
Alcohol poisoning (leading cause of hazing deaths)
Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
Heat stroke or hypothermia (from forced exposure)
Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological damage)
Death

If your child was hospitalized or suffered long-term harm from hazing in Kershaw County, you may be entitled to compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Kershaw County Hazing?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

Defendant	Why They’re Liable
Local fraternity/sorority chapter	Directly organized and conducted hazing
National fraternity/sorority organization	Failed to supervise chapter; knew about hazing culture
University or college	Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority; may own fraternity house
Individual members	Participated in or facilitated hazing
Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.)	Leadership responsibility; directed activities
Alumni who hosted hazing	Premises liability for hazing at their home
Insurance companies	Policies may cover damages

In our current case, we are suing:

Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
The local UH chapter
The fraternity housing corporation
The University of Houston (they owned the house where hazing occurred)
The UH Board of Regents
Individual members, including the chapter president and pledgemaster

The same liability applies to Kershaw County cases.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Kershaw County

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get medical care. Some conditions, like rhabdomyolysis, may not show symptoms immediately. Medical records are critical evidence.

2. Preserve All Evidence

Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails about hazing
Social media posts (do NOT delete anything)
Names and contact info of witnesses
Any physical evidence (paddles, clothing, objects used in hazing)

Do NOT:

Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without legal counsel
Sign anything from the organization
Post about the incident on social media

3. Report the Incident

File a police report (hazing is a crime in South Carolina)
Report to the university (Title IX office, student conduct)
Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com for a free, confidential consultation.

Why time is critical:

Evidence disappears (texts deleted, witnesses forget)
Statutes of limitations apply (typically 2 years in South Carolina)
Insurance companies move quickly to minimize claims

What Kershaw County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Type of Damage	Examples
Medical expenses	Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
Lost wages	Time missed from work during recovery
Pain and suffering	Physical pain from injuries
Mental anguish	PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing
Loss of enjoyment of life	Inability to participate in normal activities
Disfigurement	Scars from burns, branding, or injuries
Punitive damages	Additional compensation to punish egregious conduct

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for our client. While every case is different, hazing cases routinely result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.

Recent Hazing Case Outcomes:

$10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
$6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta) – JURY VERDICT
$110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi) – LARGEST HAZING SETTLEMENT IN HISTORY
$4+ million – Adam Oakes (VCU, Delta Chi)

Kershaw County families can achieve the same results.

South Carolina Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

Criminal Penalties for Hazing in South Carolina

South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 59-101-200) makes hazing a misdemeanor, punishable by:

Up to $5,000 in fines
Up to 1 year in jail

If hazing results in death or serious injury, penalties increase.

Civil Liability – Can You Sue?

Yes. Even if criminal charges are filed, hazing victims can also file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for injuries.

Key legal theories for Kershaw County hazing cases:

Negligence (failure to protect students)
Premises liability (if hazing occurred on university-owned property)
Assault and battery (intentional harmful contact)
Intentional infliction of emotional distress (extreme and outrageous conduct)
Wrongful death (if hazing resulted in death)

Consent is NOT a defense in South Carolina. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law does not allow consent as a defense to hazing.

Why Kershaw County Families Should Act Now

1. Evidence Disappears Quickly

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

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can preserve evidence.

2. Statutes of Limitations Apply

In South Carolina, you typically have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, some claims may have shorter deadlines.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

3. Universities and Fraternities Will Try to Silence You

After a hazing incident, universities and fraternities often:

Pressure victims to stay quiet
Offer lowball settlements
Threaten retaliation
Destroy evidence

Having an attorney protects you from these tactics.

4. You Can Prevent Future Hazing

By holding institutions accountable, you help prevent hazing from happening to other Kershaw County families.

As our attorney Lupe Pena said:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

What to Expect When You Work With Attorney 911

1. Free, Confidential Consultation

We will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your legal options – at no cost to you.

2. Immediate Evidence Preservation

We will send preservation letters to all defendants, demanding they keep all evidence related to your case.

3. Aggressive Investigation

We will:

Obtain medical records
Interview witnesses
Gather text messages, social media, and other evidence
Consult with medical and hazing experts

4. Negotiation with Defendants

We will demand a fair settlement from the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.

5. Litigation (If Necessary)

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.

6. You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We work on contingency – no upfront fees, no hourly charges. You only pay if we recover compensation for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kershaw County Hazing Cases

Q: My child was hazed, but they’re afraid of retaliation. What can we do?

A: We understand the fear of retaliation. Many hazing victims are threatened with social exclusion, academic consequences, or even physical harm if they speak out.

We can help by:

Filing the case anonymously in some circumstances
Protecting your identity during the legal process
Taking legal action against anyone who retaliates

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We take these concerns seriously.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. South Carolina law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law does not allow consent as a defense. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.

Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be held liable?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If the university:

Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
Had prior hazing incidents on campus
Failed to implement adequate oversight

They can be held liable even if they claim they “didn’t know.”

Q: My child was hazed at a private university near Kershaw County. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Private universities can be held liable for hazing just like public universities. The legal process is the same.

Q: How much is my Kershaw County hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases routinely result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.

Factors that increase case value:

Severity of injuries (hospitalization, long-term harm)
Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, beatings, forced alcohol)
Pattern of hazing (prior incidents at the same chapter)
Institutional knowledge (university/fraternity knew about hazing)
Cover-up attempts (destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses)

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for our client.

Q: How long will my Kershaw County hazing case take?

Most hazing cases settle within 1-3 years. Some cases may take longer if they go to trial.

Factors that affect timeline:

Severity of injuries
Number of defendants
Willingness of defendants to settle
Court schedules

We work as quickly as possible to resolve your case while maximizing your compensation.

Q: My child was hazed at a college outside Kershaw County. Can you still help?

A: Yes. While we are based in Texas, our federal court authority and nationwide reach allow us to represent hazing victims anywhere in America.

We have represented clients across the country and can do the same for Kershaw County families.

Kershaw County Hazing Victims – You Are Not Alone

Hazing can leave victims feeling isolated, ashamed, and powerless. But you don’t have to face this alone.

Attorney 911 is here to fight for you. We have:

25+ years of litigation experience
Former insurance defense attorneys who know how the other side operates
A proven track record of winning multi-million dollar cases
A commitment to justice for hazing victims and their families