Hazing Victims Legal Support in Henry County, Tennessee
Attorney 911: Fighting for Justice Against Hazing in Henry County
If your child has been a victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization in Henry County, Tennessee, you are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition”—it’s abuse. And it’s illegal.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This same fraternity—and others like it—operate chapters near Henry County, putting students at risk every day.
We are ready to fight for Henry County families with the same aggression.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Henry County & Beyond
Hazing is a nationwide epidemic, and Henry County is not immune. Every year, students across Tennessee and the U.S. suffer physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even death due to hazing rituals in:
- Fraternities & sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others)
- Sports teams (football, baseball, wrestling, and more)
- Marching bands & ROTC programs
- Student clubs & organizations
In Henry County, students at nearby universities—including those with active Greek life chapters—are at risk right now.
The Reality of Hazing in Tennessee
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study on Student Hazing, 2023).
- 40% of student athletes report hazing (Alfred University Study).
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
- 95% of hazing victims do not report it—often due to fear of retaliation or social exclusion.
Henry County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity, joining a sports team, or participating in any student organization, they could be at risk.
💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like in Henry County
Hazing is not “harmless fun.” It is assault, battery, and psychological torture disguised as “tradition.” In our current case, we’ve documented:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture.
✅ Forced eating until vomiting – Pledges forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until they vomit, then made to continue exercising.
✅ Extreme physical punishment – 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls—leading to rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure.
✅ Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members at all hours, leading to exhaustion.
✅ Psychological abuse – Humiliation, threats of expulsion, carrying sexual objects in a fanny pack.
✅ Being struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons.
✅ Hog-tying – Another pledge was tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
This is not “brotherhood.” This is abuse.
🏛️ Tennessee Hazing Laws: What Henry County Families Need to Know
Tennessee has strong anti-hazing laws to protect students. Under Tennessee Code § 49-7-123, hazing is defined as:
“Any intentional or reckless act, on or off campus, by one student acting alone or with others, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”
📜 Tennessee Hazing Penalties
| Offense | Criminal Penalty | Civil Liability |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing (Class A Misdemeanor) | Up to 11 months, 29 days in jail + $2,500 fine | Personal injury lawsuits (medical bills, pain & suffering, punitive damages) |
| Hazing causing serious bodily injury (Class E Felony) | 1-6 years in prison + $3,000 fine | Wrongful death lawsuits (if hazing leads to death) |
| Hazing causing death (Class D Felony) | 2-12 years in prison + $5,000 fine | Multi-million dollar settlements (juries award punitive damages for gross negligence) |
🔹 Consent is NOT a defense in Tennessee. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
🔹 Organizations can be held liable. Fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and universities can be sued for failing to prevent hazing.
💰 Can Henry County Families Sue for Hazing?
Yes. If your child has been hazed in Henry County or at a nearby university, you may be entitled to substantial compensation, including:
| Type of Damage | What It Covers | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Educational Impact | Tuition refunds, academic disruption | $20,000 – $200,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking) | $1,000,000+ per defendant |
📌 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Henry County Families Can Expect)
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending |
🔹 Henry County families: These same results are possible for you.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in a Henry County Hazing Case?
Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, knew about “hazing crisis” | Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing, owned fraternity house | University of Houston |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility (President, Pledgemaster) | UH chapter president & pledgemaster |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Current & former fraternity members |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their home | Former member & spouse named in lawsuit |
| Coaches/Advisors | Failed to supervise (for sports teams) | Applies to Henry County athletic programs |
🔹 Henry County parents: We will pursue EVERY liable party to maximize your recovery.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Henry County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.
✅ Immediate Steps for Henry County Families:
-
🏥 Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
- Medical records are crucial evidence.
-
📸 Preserve Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs).
- Document witness names (other pledges, bystanders).
-
🚫 Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront the fraternity/sorority, coach, or university alone.
- Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
- Do not post on social media (defense will use it against you).
-
📞 Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7) for a free consultation.
- We will preserve evidence, file legal claims, and fight for justice.
🎯 Why Henry County Families Choose Attorney 911
1️⃣ We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We know how these cases work because we’re in the trenches right now.
- We’re suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the same abuses happening near Henry County.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how the other side thinks—because we used to work for them.
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña were both insurance defense lawyers before switching sides.
- We know their tactics—and how to beat them.
3️⃣ Nationwide Representation for Henry County Families
- We serve hazing victims across Tennessee, including Henry County.
- Federal court authority—we can sue national fraternities anywhere.
- Video consultations available—you don’t have to travel to Houston.
4️⃣ No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency
- You pay NOTHING unless we win.
- We advance all case expenses (medical records, experts, court fees).
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
5️⃣ Aggressive, Trial-Ready Representation
- We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
- We take cases to trial if defendants won’t settle fairly.
- We’ve won millions for victims against insurance companies, universities, and corporations.
📞 Henry County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Henry County or at a nearby university, we can help.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We will travel to Henry County for your case.
We offer video consultations for Tennessee families.
You pay nothing unless we win.
🚨 To Fraternities & Universities Near Henry County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, and all other Greek organizations with chapters near Henry County:
- We know your corporate structures.
- We know your insurance policies.
- We know your hazing histories.
- And we will hold you accountable.
Universities in Henry County and across Tennessee:
- You own the buildings where hazing happens.
- You have the power to stop it.
- If you fail to protect students, you will pay.
The next hazing victim in Henry County could be your chapter’s last.
📢 Henry County Parents: This Could Be Your Child
Ask yourself:
- Is my child pledging a fraternity or sorority?
- Are they on a sports team, in a marching band, or in ROTC?
- Do they seem more anxious, withdrawn, or exhausted than usual?
- Have they mentioned “traditions,” “brotherhood,” or “team bonding” that sound extreme?
If you suspect hazing, act now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Hazing is abuse. It’s illegal. And we will stop it.
