🚨 Hazing Lawyers Serving Buchanan County, VA — Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorneys
Buchanan County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. Now What?
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the Greek organization. You trusted that the adults in charge would protect your child from harm.
Instead, your child was hazed—abused, humiliated, forced to endure dangerous rituals under the guise of “tradition.” Now they’re in the hospital, traumatized, or worse.
We are Attorney 911. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities and sororities operate at universities near Buchanan County. The same negligence exists here.
We will fight for Buchanan County families with the same aggression.
📞 Buchanan County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Immediate Help
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Available 24/7 for Buchanan County families
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless you win.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Buchanan County and Southwest Virginia
Hazing isn’t just happening in big cities. It’s happening at colleges and universities across Southwest Virginia—including near Buchanan County.
Universities Near Buchanan County with Greek Life:
- Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) – Home to 40+ fraternities and sororities, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others with documented hazing histories
- Radford University (Radford, VA) – Active Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities
- East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN) – Less than 2 hours from Buchanan County; multiple Greek organizations
- University of Virginia’s College at Wise (Wise, VA) – Smaller but active Greek community
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these universities. If your child was hazed at a Greek organization near Buchanan County, we can help.
💀 What Is Hazing? The Brutal Reality in Buchanan County
Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It’s abuse disguised as tradition. In our current case, a student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth (another pledge)
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This isn’t just happening in Houston. It’s happening near Buchanan County.
Common Hazing Activities in Southwest Virginia:
| Activity | Description | Medical Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Alcohol Consumption | “Binge drinking,” “chugging,” forced shots | Alcohol poisoning, death, brain damage |
| Extreme Physical Exercise | 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, “suicides” | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, cardiac arrest |
| Physical Assault | Paddling, beating, branding, burning | Broken bones, internal injuries, permanent scarring |
| Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning | Sprayed in face with hose, held underwater | Psychological trauma, drowning risk |
| Forced Eating | Large quantities of food, milk, peppercorns | Choking, vomiting, aspiration |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, driving members | Exhaustion, accidents, mental health crises |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault | Long-term psychological damage |
Hazing is not “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s a crime.
⚖️ Virginia Hazing Laws — What Buchanan County Families Need to Know
Virginia Code § 18.2-56 — Hazing is a Crime in Virginia
Virginia law defines hazing as:
Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, that:
- Intentionally or recklessly endangers the health or safety of a student
- Is done for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with an organization
Criminal Penalties in Virginia:
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Hazing (Class 1 Misdemeanor) | Up to 12 months in jail, $2,500 fine |
| Hazing Causing Serious Bodily Injury | Up to 5 years in prison |
| Hazing Causing Death | Up to 10 years in prison |
Consent is NOT a Defense in Virginia:
It does not matter if your child “agreed” to participate. Virginia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.
Civil Liability — Who Can Buchanan County Families Sue?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew or should have known about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing; premises liability if hazing occurred on campus property |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing; personal liability |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing events; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Liability policies covering organizations and individuals |
Buchanan County families can sue for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents — Hazing Cases Win Big
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Juries and courts take these cases seriously—especially when institutions fail to act.
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Our Current Case (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending | Pending |
These results are possible for Buchanan County families. The same legal strategies apply.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Buchanan County Parents Should Know
Hazing causes serious, sometimes permanent injuries. In our current case, the victim suffered:
- Rhabdomyolysis – Muscle breakdown causing kidney failure
- Acute kidney failure – Life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
- Severe dehydration – From extreme exercise and vomiting
- Psychological trauma – PTSD, anxiety, depression
Other Common Hazing Injuries:
| Injury | Cause | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beating, falls | Permanent cognitive impairment |
| Broken Bones | Paddling, physical assault | Chronic pain, disability |
| Internal Bleeding | Blunt force trauma | Organ damage, death |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to elements | Organ failure, death |
| Cardiac Arrest | Extreme physical exertion | Death |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Psychological abuse | Suicidal ideation, lifelong therapy |
If your child was hazed and is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Buchanan County
Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation
- If they’re injured, seek medical attention immediately
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
- Document witness names and contact information
- Keep medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- File a police report – Hazing is a crime in Virginia
- Report to the university – Most have Title IX offices or student conduct departments
- Report to the national organization – If it’s a fraternity/sorority, report to their national headquarters
Step 4: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers
- Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university
- Do NOT give a statement to their insurance company or lawyers
- Do NOT post on social media about the incident
- Anything you say can be used against you
Step 5: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for Buchanan County families
- We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront
- We handle all communication with the organization and their lawyers
🚫 What NOT to Do After Hazing — Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Case
| Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Case |
|---|---|
| Deleting text messages or social media posts | Destroys evidence; could lead to spoliation sanctions |
| Talking to the organization without a lawyer | They’ll try to control the narrative and minimize your claim |
| Posting on social media about the incident | Defense will use posts to argue you weren’t really hurt |
| Waiting too long to act | Evidence disappears; witnesses forget; statutes of limitations expire |
| Signing documents from the organization | May waive your rights or limit your compensation |
| Not seeking medical attention | Defense will argue your injuries weren’t serious |
⏳ Virginia Statute of Limitations — Act Fast
Virginia has strict deadlines for filing hazing lawsuits:
| Claim Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years from date of injury |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years from date of death |
| Breach of Contract | 5 years (if university failed to protect students) |
If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.
Contact Attorney 911 immediately to protect your rights.
🎯 Why Buchanan County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting a Hazing Case RIGHT NOW
- $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- Client hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after waterboarding and extreme physical abuse
- Same fraternities operate near Buchanan County
- We know how to win these cases
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know exactly how insurance companies think
- We’ve seen their playbook from the inside
- We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation
3. Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue Buchanan County cases in federal court if needed
- Dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York) for strategic advantage
4. No Upfront Cost — We Work on Contingency
- $0 upfront for Buchanan County families
- We don’t get paid unless you win
- You pay nothing if we don’t recover compensation for you
5. We Travel to Buchanan County
- We come to Buchanan County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Distance is not a barrier to justice
- Video consultations available for Buchanan County families
6. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español)
- Fluent Spanish-speaking staff
- Full legal services in Spanish for Buchanan County Hispanic families
7. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- $10 million+ in settlements and verdicts for personal injury clients
- Experience with high-stakes litigation against universities and national organizations
📞 Buchanan County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Immediate Help
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Available 24/7 for Buchanan County families
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless you win.
🏛️ Who We Sue for Buchanan County Hazing Victims
We pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.
1. The Local Chapter
- Directly organized and conducted hazing
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) are personally liable
- Current members who participated
2. The National Organization
- Failed to supervise the local chapter
- Knew or should have known about hazing culture
- Deep pockets—millions in assets and insurance
3. The University/College
- Failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents
- Premises liability if hazing occurred on campus property
- Negligent supervision of Greek life
4. Individual Members
- Participated in hazing
- Failed to stop hazing
- Personal liability—can be sued individually
5. Alumni/Advisors
- Hosted hazing events at their homes
- Premises liability for hazing on their property
6. Insurance Companies
- Liability policies covering organizations and individuals
- We know how to pursue these policies
💡 Frequently Asked Questions for Buchanan County Families
Q: My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?
A: YES. Virginia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still liable for the harm caused.
Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Hazing is a crime in Virginia, and organizations cannot hide behind tradition to avoid liability.
Q: We’re not in Houston. Can you still help us in Buchanan County?
A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Buchanan County. We offer video consultations and travel to Buchanan County for your case.
Q: How much is our case worth?
A: Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors include:
- Severity of injuries
- Medical expenses
- Psychological trauma
- University’s prior knowledge of hazing
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, extreme physical abuse, etc.)
Q: How long will the case take?
A: Most cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases can take longer. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while maximizing your compensation.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We understand the fear of retaliation. We take steps to protect our clients, including:
- Keeping your identity confidential when possible
- Filing protective orders if needed
- Holding organizations accountable for any retaliation
Q: Do we have to go to court?
A: Most cases settle out of court. However, if the organization refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
🔥 Message to Buchanan County Fraternities and Sororities
To the Greek organizations operating near Buchanan County:
We are watching. We are documenting. We are coming for you.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other states apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Buchanan County, we will pursue every liable entity—your local chapter, your national organization, your university, and your individual members.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma—if your chapter operates near Buchanan County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.
📢 Message to Buchanan County Universities
To the administrators at Virginia Tech, Radford University, East Tennessee State University, and other institutions near Buchanan County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You have the power to prevent hazing. You have the power to protect your students.
Act now, or face the same accountability.
🏆 We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing. We’re Fighting It RIGHT NOW.
Our Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
What Happened:
- Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at University of Houston
- Over 7 weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse, including:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth (another pledge)
- On November 3, 2025, he was punished with extreme exercise until he couldn’t stand without help
- He crawled up the stairs when he got home, unable to move
- His mother rushed him to the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- He was hospitalized for 4 days
What We Did:
- Filed a $10 million lawsuit against:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- UH Beta Nu Chapter
- University of Houston
- UH Board of Regents
- Individual members
- Pi Kappa Phi immediately closed the chapter—but they’re already planning to come back
- Media coverage in ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
Why This Matters for Buchanan County:
- The same fraternities operate near Buchanan County
- The same negligence exists at Buchanan County universities
- The same legal strategies apply to Buchanan County cases
- If your child was hazed near Buchanan County, we will fight for you with the same fury
📞 Buchanan County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Immediate Help
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Available 24/7 for Buchanan County families
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless you win.
📍 Serving Buchanan County and All of Southwest Virginia
Attorney 911
Headquarters: 1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We travel to Buchanan County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🚨 Buchanan County Families: The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing destroys lives. It sends students to the hospital. It leaves families devastated. It must be stopped.
If your child was hazed at a university near Buchanan County, you have legal rights. You have the right to compensation. You have the right to hold the people who hurt your child accountable.
Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
We don’t get paid unless you win. Buchanan County families pay nothing upfront.
Enough is enough.
