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February 25, 2026 16 min read
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Protecting Davidson County Families from Hazing: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We

Davidson County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They assume Greek organizations will provide leadership and brotherhood, not abuse and torture.

But the reality is stark: hazing is happening right now at colleges and universities near Davidson County, Tennessee. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston, that forced pledges to drink until they died, that paddled and humiliated and hospitalized — they have chapters operating near Davidson County. And they’re doing the same things here.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. This isn’t theoretical — it’s happening, and it could happen to your child at a Davidson County-area institution.

If your child has been hazed in Davidson County, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.

What Davidson County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s not “building character.” It’s not “brotherhood.” It’s abuse, and it’s often criminal.

In our current case, a student was:

  • Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
  • Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he couldn’t stand
  • Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
  • Forced to eat until he vomited — then made to keep running through his own vomit
  • Hog-tied with an object in his mouth — false imprisonment and humiliation

This isn’t tradition. This is torture. And it’s happening at universities near Davidson County.

2. Universities Near Davidson County Are Complicit

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter — but they chose not to.

Davidson County universities have the same power — and the same liability when they fail to act.

If your child is hazed at a Davidson County-area institution, the university can be held legally responsible for failing to protect them. They knew or should have known the risks. They had the authority to stop it. And if they didn’t, they will pay.

3. National Fraternities Know — And They Don’t Care

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including near Davidson County. In 2017, a student named Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon. Eight years later, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure at the University of Houston.

The national organization knew about the deadly culture in their chapters. They admitted to knowing about “a hazing crisis.” But they did nothing meaningful to stop it.

The same nationals operate near Davidson County. They know what’s happening in their chapters. And they’re not stopping it.

4. Consent Is Not a Defense in Tennessee

When fraternities are caught hazing, they often argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks. He could have left.”

Tennessee law says that doesn’t matter.

Under Tennessee’s anti-hazing statute (Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123), consent is not a defense to hazing. If your child was coerced, threatened, or pressured into participating — even if they technically “agreed” — the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.

5. Hazing Causes Real, Lasting Harm

Hazing doesn’t just cause bruises or embarrassment. It causes permanent damage — physically, emotionally, and academically.

Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t move. He passed brown urine — a classic sign of muscle damage. He feared for his life.

Other victims have suffered:

  • Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
  • Alcohol poisoning from forced drinking (a leading cause of hazing deaths)
  • PTSD, anxiety, and depression from psychological abuse
  • Academic failure from sleep deprivation and stress
  • Suicidal ideation from humiliation and isolation

This isn’t a rite of passage. It’s a life-altering trauma.

The Hazing Crisis at Davidson County-Area Universities

Davidson County is home to Vanderbilt University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the South, and is surrounded by major universities including Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). These schools have active Greek life communities — and where there’s Greek life, there’s hazing.

Fraternities Operating Near Davidson County with Documented Hazing Histories

Fraternity Notable Hazing Incidents Davidson County-Area Chapters?
Pi Kappa Phi Andrew Coffey (death, FSU 2017), Leonel Bermudez (kidney failure, UH 2025) Yes — Vanderbilt University
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Stone Foltz (death, BGSU 2021), multiple hospitalizations Yes — Vanderbilt, MTSU
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Max Gruver (death, LSU 2017), multiple lawsuits Yes — Vanderbilt, MTSU
Phi Delta Theta Multiple hazing deaths, $6.1M jury verdict Yes — Vanderbilt
Sigma Chi Lawsuit filed 2025 for TBI at another university Yes — Vanderbilt, MTSU
Beta Theta Pi Timothy Piazza (death, Penn State 2017), $110M+ settlement Yes — Vanderbilt

These are not isolated incidents. These are patterns of abuse at fraternities with chapters operating right here in the Davidson County area.

Universities Near Davidson County with Hazing Problems

University Location Hazing Incidents Greek Life Presence
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Multiple suspensions, lawsuits Very active
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Murfreesboro, TN Multiple suspensions, investigations Active
Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Multiple incidents, suspensions Active
Belmont University Nashville, TN Investigations, suspensions Growing
Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Investigations, policy changes Active

These universities have the same oversight failures as the University of Houston. They know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. And when they don’t, they share liability.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Davidson County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

If your child shows any signs of injury — bruising, difficulty walking, dark urine, vomiting, confusion, or signs of alcohol poisoning — take them to the emergency room immediately.

Do not wait. Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or alcohol poisoning, can be fatal if untreated.

Document everything. Get copies of all medical records. Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Preserve everything:

Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — screenshots of all communications about hazing
Photos and videos — from hazing activities, injuries, or the fraternity house
Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
Fraternity documents — pledge manuals, schedules, rules
Medical records — hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
Academic records — if hazing affected grades or enrollment

Do NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Do Not Confront the Organization Alone

Fraternities and universities have teams of lawyers working to protect themselves — not your child. If you confront them directly, they will:

  • Coordinate their story
  • Destroy evidence
  • Intimidate witnesses
  • Pressure your child to stay quiet

Do not let them control the narrative. Before you talk to anyone, call us.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

Time is critical. Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and evidence disappears fast.

At Attorney 911, we offer:

  • Free, confidential consultations for Davidson County families
  • Contingency fee representation — you pay $0 upfront; we only get paid if we win
  • Nationwide reach — we can represent Davidson County victims regardless of where the hazing occurred
  • Aggressive litigation — we’re currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and UH for $10 million; we’ll bring the same fight to Davidson County cases

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

Step 5: Report to Authorities (Optional but Recommended)

You can report hazing to:

  • Local police — hazing is a crime in Tennessee
  • University administration — file a formal complaint
  • Tennessee Higher Education Commission — they track hazing incidents

We can guide you through this process. Reporting creates a paper trail and increases pressure on the institution.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Davidson County Hazing?

Hazing cases involve multiple layers of liability. We pursue every responsible party to maximize compensation for your family.

1. The Local Chapter

  • Directly organized and conducted hazing
  • Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) face personal liability
  • Individual members who participated can be sued

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

  • Knew or should have known about hazing culture
  • Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
  • Deep pockets — substantial assets and insurance

3. The University

  • Failed to supervise Greek life
  • Failed to respond to prior hazing incidents
  • Premises liability — if hazing occurred on university property
  • Institutional negligence — knew hazing was happening and did nothing

4. Individual Perpetrators

  • Can be sued personally for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress
  • May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability
  • Face criminal charges in addition to civil liability

5. Housing Corporations or Property Owners

  • If hazing occurred at a fraternity house or off-campus residence
  • Premises liability for unsafe conditions

What Compensation Can Davidson County Families Recover?

Hazing victims are entitled to full compensation for their injuries, including:

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses — hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
  • Lost wages — if hazing caused your child to miss work
  • Educational costs — tuition, fees, lost scholarships
  • Future earning capacity — if injuries affect career prospects

Non-Economic Damages

  • Physical pain and suffering — for the agony of hazing injuries
  • Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Emotional distress — humiliation, shame, loss of trust
  • Loss of enjoyment of life — impact on college experience, relationships

Punitive Damages

  • Awarded in cases of egregious conduct to punish the wrongdoers
  • Waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, paddling — these are outrageous acts that warrant punitive damages
  • Pattern of abuse (like Pi Kappa Phi’s history) supports punitive awards

Recent hazing cases have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements:

  • $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
  • $6.1 million — Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
  • $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)

Davidson County families deserve the same justice.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Davidson County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight, and we’re bringing that same aggression to Davidson County cases.

2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities will argue your child “agreed” to participate. Tennessee law says that doesn’t matter. We know how to dismantle this defense and hold them accountable.

3. We Have Insider Knowledge of Insurance Companies

Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies think, how they value claims, and how they try to minimize payouts. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

4. We Have Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, which allows us to pursue hazing cases nationwide — including Davidson County cases involving out-of-state nationals.

5. We Offer Contingency Fee Representation

You pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This removes the financial barrier to justice.

6. We’re Bilingual — Se Habla Español

We serve Spanish-speaking families in Davidson County without language barriers.

7. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

We’ve recovered millions for personal injury victims, including cases against large institutions. We know how to take on universities and national fraternities — and win.

8. We Care About Davidson County Families

We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the pain and betrayal you’re feeling. And we will fight for you like family.

The Message to Davidson County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Davidson County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other states apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Davidson County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters near Davidson County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won. We’ve shut down chapters. We’ve held individuals personally liable. We’ve forced universities to pay millions.

The Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

Davidson County Parents: You Have the Power to Stop This

Hazing doesn’t stop unless victims come forward. Your child’s case could save lives.

Leonel Bermudez’s lawsuit has already:

  • Shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH
  • Exposed a pattern of abuse
  • Put fraternities and universities on notice

Your child’s case could do the same for Davidson County.

If you stay silent, the abuse continues. If you speak up, you protect the next student.

Contact Attorney 911 Today — Free Consultation for Davidson County Families

If your child has been hazed at a Davidson County-area university, you are not alone. We are here to help.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential case evaluations
✅ Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront
✅ Video consultations for Davidson County families
✅ Aggressive litigation against fraternities and universities

We will travel to Davidson County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

The time to act is now. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And the statute of limitations is ticking.

Davidson County families: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

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