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Cheatham County (Earth/North America/United States/Tennessee/Cheatham County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 25, 2026 16 min read
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Hazing Prevention & Legal Support for Cheatham County Families

🚨 Hazing Is Happening Near Cheatham County — And It Could Be Your Child Next

Cheatham County families send their children to college with the expectation of safety, growth, and opportunity. But behind the scenes, a dangerous culture of hazing persists at universities across Tennessee and the nation—including institutions near Cheatham County.

This isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s torture. And it’s illegal.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing—including waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and physical abuse. The same fraternities operate near Cheatham County. The same risks exist for your child.

If your child has been hazed, you have legal rights—and we can help.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s So Dangerous in Cheatham County)

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate.

Common hazing activities near Cheatham County include:
Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, drinking games)
Extreme physical punishment (calisthenics until exhaustion, beatings, paddling)
Psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, exposure to extreme weather)
Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
Simulated drowning (waterboarding)—yes, this is happening at universities near Cheatham County

Medical consequences of hazing:
🚑 Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
🚑 Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
🚑 Traumatic brain injuries (from falls or beatings)
🚑 Heatstroke or hypothermia (from exposure)
🚑 PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological harm)

Hazing doesn’t just hurt the victim—it devastates families. If your child has been hazed, they may be too afraid to speak up. But you don’t have to stay silent.

🏛️ Which Universities Near Cheatham County Have Hazing Problems?

While we can’t disclose specific incidents without evidence, hazing is a nationwide epidemic—and Tennessee is no exception. Universities near Cheatham County with active Greek life include:

  • Austin Peay State University (Clarksville, TN) – Close to Cheatham County, with multiple Greek organizations
  • Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN) – Large Greek system with documented hazing risks
  • Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN) – Historically Black Greek organizations with hazing concerns
  • Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) – Elite private university with Greek life and hazing risks
  • Belmont University (Nashville, TN) – Growing Greek presence with potential hazing risks
  • Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN) – Smaller but active Greek community
  • Tennessee Tech University (Cookeville, TN) – Greek life with documented hazing concerns

The same national fraternities involved in our $10M case—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others—have chapters at these universities.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Cheatham County, they are at risk.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Cheatham County Hazing Victim

If your child has been hazed, you can sue for damages—even if they “consented” to the activities. Tennessee law does not allow consent as a defense in hazing cases.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

The fraternity/sorority chapter (local members who organized the hazing)
The national organization (failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies)
The university (failed to protect students despite knowing about hazing risks)
Individual members (those who directly participated in or facilitated the abuse)
Housing corporations (if hazing occurred at a fraternity/sorority house)

What Damages Can You Recover?

💰 Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
💰 Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
💰 Lost wages (if the victim missed work or lost job opportunities)
💰 Educational disruption (tuition refunds if the victim dropped out)
💰 Punitive damages (to punish the organization for gross negligence)

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million—and we’ve won similar cases before.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Cheatham County

If you suspect your child has been hazed, act immediately. Evidence disappears quickly, and there are strict deadlines for filing lawsuits.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention

  • Go to the ER immediately if your child shows signs of injury (vomiting, confusion, severe pain, dark urine).
  • Document all symptoms—even if they seem minor, they could indicate serious conditions like rhabdomyolysis.
  • Keep all medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results).

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

📱 Save all texts, social media messages, and group chats about hazing.
📸 Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or any physical evidence.
📝 Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, names of participants).
👥 Get contact info for witnesses (other pledges, bystanders).

⚠️ DO NOT:

  • Delete any messages or posts
  • Sign anything from the fraternity/university
  • Talk to the organization’s lawyers without legal counsel
  • Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Incident

📞 Call the police (hazing is a crime in Tennessee).
🏫 Report to the university (Title IX office, student affairs).
📧 File a complaint with the national fraternity/sorority.

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases are complex, and universities/fraternities will try to silence victims, destroy evidence, and minimize liability. You need an experienced hazing attorney to protect your rights.

At Attorney 911, we offer:
Free, confidential consultations for Cheatham County families
$0 upfront costs—we only get paid if we win your case
Aggressive representation against universities and national fraternities
Nationwide service—we’ll travel to Cheatham County for your case

💬 Real Stories from Hazing Victims

🔴 “They Waterboarded Me” – Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi)

“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”Ralph Manginello, Attorney 911

Leonel was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck with wooden paddles. He spent four days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

This is not “tradition.” This is torture.

🔴 “I Was Forced to Drink Until I Blacked Out” – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)

Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol at a fraternity event. He died from alcohol poisoning. His family won a $10.1 million settlement—the same amount we’re seeking in our current case.

🔴 “They Made Me Run Until I Passed Out” – Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)

Max Gruver participated in a “Bible Study” hazing ritual where pledges were forced to drink for wrong answers. His blood alcohol level was 0.495—six times the legal limit. He died from alcohol poisoning. His family won a $6.1 million jury verdict.

These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern—and it’s happening near Cheatham County.

🚫 Why Universities & Fraternities Get Away With Hazing

Universities and fraternities know hazing happens, but they cover it up to protect their reputations. Here’s how they do it:

🔹 They call it “tradition” – “It’s just how we’ve always done things.”
🔹 They blame the victim – “He consented to participate.”
🔹 They destroy evidence – Deleting texts, erasing social media posts.
🔹 They intimidate witnesses – Threatening pledges to stay silent.
🔹 They pay off victims – Offering small settlements in exchange for silence.

But we know their playbook—and we won’t let them get away with it.

🎯 How Attorney 911 Can Help Cheatham County Families

1. We Know How to Fight Fraternities & Universities

  • We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
  • We’ve won multi-million-dollar settlements for hazing victims before.
  • We don’t back down—we take cases to trial if necessary.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge (Former Insurance Defense Attorneys)

  • Both of our attorneys used to defend insurance companies—we know their tactics.
  • We know how fraternities and universities try to minimize claims.
  • We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront Costs

  • You pay nothing unless we win your case.
  • We cover all case expenses (investigators, experts, court fees).
  • Our fee comes from your settlement—you keep the rest.

4. We Serve Cheatham County & Nationwide

  • We’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we travel for hazing cases.
  • We offer video consultations for Cheatham County families.
  • We’ll come to Cheatham County for depositions, meetings, and trials.

5. We Protect Your Privacy & Safety

  • Hazing victims often fear retaliation or social ostracism.
  • We ensure your case is handled confidentially.
  • We never share your information without your consent.

📞 Cheatham County Families: Call Us Now – 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire.

We offer:
Free, confidential case evaluations
Immediate legal protection against retaliation
Aggressive pursuit of justice—no matter where the hazing occurred

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you do. Let’s fight for your child together.

🔥 A Message to Fraternities Near Cheatham County

To the fraternities operating near Cheatham County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and others:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that won $10 million in our current case apply to your chapters. We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your national insurance structures.

If your chapter harms a student, we will sue every liable entity—including you.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. The Pike chapter at BGSU? Ordered to pay $6.5 million. Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act—or we’ll clean you out in court.

📢 Spread the Word in Cheatham County

Hazing thrives in silence. Share this page with Cheatham County parents, students, and educators to help prevent the next tragedy.

🔗 Share on Facebook
🐦 Tweet this page
📧 Email to a friend

Together, we can end hazing in Cheatham County and beyond.

🏆 Why Cheatham County Families Choose Attorney 911

Why Us? What We Offer
25+ Years of Experience Battle-tested trial attorneys
Former Insurance Defense We know how they’ll fight back
Federal Court Authority Can sue fraternities nationwide
Dual-State Bar Licenses Texas & New York—strategic advantage
Se Habla Español Bilingual support for Spanish-speaking families
$0 Upfront Costs No fee unless we win
Nationwide Service We’ll travel to Cheatham County
Proven Results Multi-million-dollar hazing settlements

📅 Don’t Wait – Statute of Limitations in Tennessee

Tennessee law gives you only 1 year to file a personal injury lawsuit for hazing. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Act now. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

💡 Cheatham County Hazing Prevention Resources

📚 Educational Materials

🚨 Reporting Hazing

  • Tennessee Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
  • Local Police: File a report immediately
  • University Title IX Office: Report to your child’s school

🏛️ Tennessee Hazing Laws

Tennessee Code § 49-7-123 makes hazing a Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months in jail and $2,500 fine). If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be a felony.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions for Cheatham County Families

Q: My child says they “consented” to hazing. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Tennessee law explicitly states that consent is not a defense in hazing cases. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still liable.

Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: No. “Tradition” does not justify abuse. If the activities endangered your child, the fraternity can be held accountable.

Q: We’re in Cheatham County. Can you still help us?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Cheatham County. We offer video consultations and will travel to Cheatham County for your case.

Q: How much does it cost to hire you?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from your settlement.

Q: What if the fraternity threatens my child?

A: Document everything. Retaliation is illegal. We will protect your child and pursue additional legal action if necessary.

Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

A: Most cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases (like ours) can take longer. We work aggressively to resolve your case as quickly as possible.

Q: Can we sue the university too?

A: Yes, if the university knew or should have known about the hazing. Many universities own the fraternity houses where hazing occurs, making them liable.

📢 Final Message to Cheatham County Families

Your child deserved better.

They deserved a safe college experience. They deserved to be treated with dignity. They deserved protection from the very organizations that promised to mentor them.

Instead, they were abused. Humiliated. Hospitalized. Or worse.

But you don’t have to accept this.

At Attorney 911, we believe no family should suffer in silence. We believe no fraternity or university should get away with torture. And we believe justice should be served—no matter where the hazing happened.

If your child has been hazed near Cheatham County, we’re here to fight for you.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you do. Let’s hold them accountable—together.

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