🛡️ Franklin County Hazing Attorney – Protecting Students from Greek Life Abuse
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s abuse. And it’s happening right here in Franklin County.
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization in Franklin County, you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – and we’re ready to bring that same fight to Franklin County.
Franklin County families: You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept “boys will be boys.” And you don’t have to let them get away with torturing your child.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Franklin County
Franklin County is home to Saint Michael’s College, Champlain College, and other institutions where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing deaths and hospitalizations nationwide operate right here in our community.
What’s happening in Franklin County fraternities and sororities:
- Forced alcohol consumption leading to alcohol poisoning
- Extreme physical punishment causing serious injuries
- Psychological abuse and humiliation
- Sleep deprivation affecting health and academic performance
- Dangerous “traditions” that put students at risk
And when it goes wrong – as it too often does – universities and national organizations try to silence victims and protect their reputations.
⚠️ Our Current Case: $10 Million Fight Against Hazing
We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter. The fraternity subjected him to:
✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose – simulated drowning
✔ 500+ squats and 100+ pushups – until he couldn’t stand
✔ Forced eating until vomiting – then made to keep running
✔ Wooden paddles – physical beating
✔ Sleep deprivation – forced to drive members at all hours
✔ Psychological torture – humiliation and threats
He spent 4 days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
And here’s what makes this case relevant to Franklin County:
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at colleges near Franklin County
- The same national organization that failed to prevent this at UH operates here
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen in Franklin County
- Universities near Franklin County face the same liability failures as UH
⚖️ Franklin County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Vermont has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under Vermont law:
📜 Hazing is illegal – Vermont Statutes Title 16, Chapter 21, § 11(a)(26) defines hazing as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a student for initiation or admission into an organization.
🚫 Consent is not a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.
🏛️ Organizations can be held liable – Fraternities, sororities, and universities can all be sued for hazing.
💰 You can sue for damages – Medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
🕒 You have time limits – Don’t wait too long to take action.
💔 Common Hazing Injuries We See in Franklin County
Hazing doesn’t just cause emotional pain – it causes real, physical harm that can last a lifetime:
🏥 Alcohol poisoning – From forced binge drinking
🏥 Rhabdomyolysis – Muscle breakdown from extreme exercise (like our client)
🏥 Traumatic brain injuries – From beatings or falls
🏥 Broken bones – From physical abuse
🏥 Internal injuries – From forced consumption or physical trauma
🏥 Psychological trauma – PTSD, anxiety, depression
🏥 Wrongful death – When hazing goes too far
🏢 Who We Can Sue for Franklin County Hazing
When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible. We pursue all of them to ensure full accountability:
👥 The local chapter – The students who directly participated in hazing
🏛️ The national organization – They set the culture and failed to supervise
🎓 The university – They have a duty to protect students on their campus
🏠 Property owners – If hazing occurred at a private residence
💼 Individual members – Each person who participated can be held personally liable
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Franklin County
If your child was hazed at a Franklin County college or university, take these steps immediately:
1️⃣ Get medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked out
2️⃣ Preserve all evidence – Take photos of injuries, save text messages, keep all communications
3️⃣ Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority or university alone – They will try to control the narrative
4️⃣ Do NOT post on social media – Anything you post can be used against you
5️⃣ Contact Attorney 911 immediately – We offer free, confidential consultations
🎯 Why Franklin County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We’re fighting this battle RIGHT NOW – Our $10 million hazing lawsuit is active
✅ We understand Greek life culture – We know how these organizations operate
✅ We have former insurance defense attorneys – We know how they’ll try to defend the case
✅ We offer free consultations – No cost to discuss your case
✅ We work on contingency – You pay nothing unless we win
✅ We serve Franklin County families – Even though we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide
✅ We travel to Franklin County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings
📞 Franklin County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Help
Don’t let the fraternity or university silence your child. Don’t let them get away with abuse. And don’t wait until it’s too late.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 – 24/7 for Franklin County hazing emergencies
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Visit attorney911.com for more information
We offer free, confidential consultations for Franklin County hazing victims. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
🔍 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed in Franklin County
Hazing often starts subtly and escalates. Watch for these red flags:
🚩 Sudden secrecy about Greek life activities
🚩 Unexplained injuries or bruises
🚩 Changes in sleep patterns or exhaustion
🚩 Withdrawal from friends and family
🚩 Sudden weight loss or gain
🚩 Changes in mood or personality
🚩 Missing classes or declining academic performance
🚩 Strange requests for money or items
🚩 Unusual clothing or accessories they won’t explain
🚩 Fear of talking about Greek life activities
If you notice these signs, your child may be in danger. Contact us immediately.
🏛️ Franklin County Colleges and Universities: Greek Life Presence
Franklin County is home to several institutions with active Greek life organizations:
🎓 Saint Michael’s College – Private Catholic college with fraternities and sororities
🎓 Champlain College – Private college with Greek organizations
🎓 University of Vermont (nearby) – Large public university with extensive Greek life
🎓 Middlebury College (nearby) – Private liberal arts college with Greek organizations
The same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing scandals nationwide have chapters at or near Franklin County institutions.
💰 What Your Franklin County Hazing Case Could Be Worth
Hazing cases can result in significant compensation for victims and their families:
💵 Medical expenses – Past and future treatment costs
💵 Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional trauma
💵 Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships
💵 Educational damages – Impact on academic performance
💵 Punitive damages – To punish the defendants for egregious conduct
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz case (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver case (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza case (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
Our current case seeks $10 million for a hazing victim who survived but suffered serious injuries – the same compensation Franklin County families deserve.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin County Hazing Cases
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: We understand the pressure victims feel to stay silent. Many hazing victims fear retaliation or social consequences. The most important thing is your child’s safety. Contact us for a confidential consultation. We can explain your legal options and help you decide the best course of action.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. Vermont law specifically states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. The fraternity is still liable for any harm caused.
Q: We’re in Franklin County and you’re in Texas. Can you still help us?
A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer video consultations, and we’ll travel to Franklin County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing attorney?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to you.
Q: What if the university says they didn’t know about the hazing?
A: Universities have a duty to supervise student organizations on their campuses. If hazing occurred, they likely knew or should have known about it. We investigate thoroughly to uncover what the university knew and when they knew it.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a private residence off-campus?
A: We can still pursue the case. The fraternity, its members, and even the property owners can be held liable for hazing that occurs off-campus.
Q: How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Franklin County?
A: Vermont has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. However, it’s important to act quickly – evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights can be affected.
Q: What if my child was hazed but wasn’t seriously injured?
A: Even if the physical injuries were minor, hazing can cause significant emotional trauma. You may still have a case for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.
Q: Can we sue the national fraternity organization?
A: Yes. National organizations have deep pockets and significant control over local chapters. They can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing and for the culture that allows it to thrive.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We take all necessary steps to protect our clients from retaliation. This may include seeking court orders, communicating through attorneys only, and taking other legal measures to ensure your child’s safety.
📢 A Message to Franklin County Fraternities and Sororities
To the fraternities and sororities operating in Franklin County:
We are watching. We are documenting. We are building cases.
The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. The same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements oversee your activities.
If you haze students in Franklin County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your national organization, your university, and your individual members. We will pursue every dollar of insurance coverage. And we will make sure the world knows what you did.
Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in America. Your chapter could be next.
To university administrators in Franklin County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
🏆 Our Commitment to Franklin County Hazing Victims
At Attorney 911, we’re not just lawyers – we’re advocates for change. When we take on a hazing case, we’re fighting for:
🔹 Justice for your child – Holding the perpetrators accountable
🔹 Compensation for your family – Covering medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages
🔹 Prevention for other students – Making sure this never happens again
🔹 Systemic change – Reforming Greek life culture that allows hazing to thrive
Franklin County families: We will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to our current $10 million hazing case. We will not back down. And we will not let them silence your child.
📞 Franklin County Hazing Victims: Call Now
If your child was hazed at a Franklin County college or university, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 – 24/7 for Franklin County hazing emergencies
📧 ralph@atty911.com
💻 attorney911.com
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Let’s end the hazing crisis in Franklin County – one case at a time.
