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Henrico County (Virginia/Henrico County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 26, 2026 14 min read
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Hazing Victim Legal Support in Henrico County, Virginia

Attorney 911: Fighting for Justice After Hazing Abuse at Virginia Universities

🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Henrico County – And It’s Time to Stop It

Henrico County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations will protect their students—not torture them in the name of “tradition.”

But the truth is, hazing is happening right here in Henrico County. At universities like Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), University of Richmond, and other institutions across Virginia, students are being subjected to dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes life-threatening initiation rituals. And when hazing goes wrong—as it often does—families are left with medical bills, trauma, and no one to hold accountable.

That’s where Attorney 911 comes in. We are a team of experienced hazing litigation attorneys who have seen firsthand the devastating effects of fraternity and sorority hazing. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we are ready to bring that same aggressive legal strategy to Henrico County families.

If your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in a Greek organization, sports team, or any student group in Henrico County, you don’t have to stay silent. You have legal rights. And we will fight to make sure those responsible are held accountable.

📞 Henrico County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for hazing emergencies

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Virginia)

Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun” or “brotherhood-building.” It’s abuse. In Virginia, hazing is defined as any activity that:

Endangers the physical or mental health of a student (e.g., forced drinking, extreme physical exertion, sleep deprivation)
Involves harassment, intimidation, or humiliation (e.g., paddling, waterboarding, forced nudity, verbal abuse)
Is required for membership in a student organization (fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs, etc.)

Virginia law (Va. Code § 18.2-56) makes hazing a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. But criminal charges aren’t enough—victims and families deserve financial compensation for the harm caused.

🏥 The Medical Consequences of Hazing in Henrico County

Hazing isn’t just emotionally damaging—it can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common medical consequences of hazing include:

Injury Cause Henrico County Risk
Rhabdomyolysis Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, forced runs) Kidney failure, hospitalization
Alcohol Poisoning Forced drinking, binge drinking Death, brain damage, organ failure
Traumatic Brain Injury Physical assault, falls Permanent disability, cognitive impairment
Heat Stroke / Hypothermia Forced exposure to extreme temperatures Organ failure, death
Internal Bleeding Blunt force trauma (paddling, beatings) Emergency surgery, long-term damage
PTSD, Anxiety, Depression Psychological abuse, humiliation Long-term therapy, medication, emotional distress
Suicidal Ideation Extreme emotional distress Tragic loss of life

In our current case against Pi Kappa Phi, our client was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do extreme physical exercises. This isn’t an isolated incident—it’s happening in Henrico County too.

💔 Real Hazing Cases That Could Happen in Henrico County

Hazing isn’t just a problem in other states—it’s happening right here in Virginia. Here are some real hazing cases that could just as easily occur at a Henrico County university:

1. Adam Oakes – Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Delta Chi (2021)

  • What Happened: Adam Oakes, an 18-year-old freshman, was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a Delta Chi fraternity event.
  • Result: He died from alcohol poisoning. His family filed a lawsuit, and the fraternity was suspended.
  • Henrico County Connection: VCU is just a short drive from Henrico County. If it can happen at VCU, it can happen at any Virginia university.

2. Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

  • What Happened: Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big Brother” ritual.
  • Result: He died from alcohol poisoning. His family won a $10.1 million settlement from the university and fraternity.
  • Henrico County Connection: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at multiple Virginia universities, including VCU and University of Richmond.

3. Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

  • What Happened: Maxwell Gruver was forced to drink alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing event. He died with a BAC of 0.495—more than 6 times the legal limit.
  • Result: A jury awarded his family $6.1 million, and Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
  • Henrico County Connection: Phi Delta Theta has a chapter at University of Richmond.

4. Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

  • What Happened: Timothy Piazza was forced to drink 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down a flight of stairs multiple times and died from traumatic brain injury.
  • Result: His family settled for $110+ million, and Pennsylvania passed Timothy’s Law, strengthening hazing penalties.
  • Henrico County Connection: Beta Theta Pi has a chapter at University of Richmond.

These cases aren’t just tragedies—they’re warnings. If hazing can happen at these universities, it can happen in Henrico County. And when it does, we will be ready to fight for justice.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Henrico County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible. At Attorney 911, we pursue every possible defendant to maximize compensation for our clients.

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

  • Directly organized and conducted hazing
  • Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) can be sued individually
  • Members who participated can be held personally liable

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

  • Failed to supervise the local chapter
  • Knew or should have known about hazing risks
  • Did not enforce anti-hazing policies
  • Has deep pockets and insurance coverage

3. The University (VCU, University of Richmond, etc.)

  • Failed to protect students from known hazing risks
  • May own or control the fraternity house (premises liability)
  • Has substantial insurance and financial resources

4. Individual Members & Alumni

  • Those who directly participated in hazing
  • Those who knew about hazing and did nothing
  • Alumni who hosted hazing events at their homes

5. Insurance Companies

  • Fraternity liability insurance
  • University liability insurance
  • Homeowner’s insurance (for off-campus hazing)

In our current $10 million hazing case, we are suing:
Pi Kappa Phi National
The local chapter
The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
Individual fraternity members
Former members and their spouses (who hosted hazing)

We will bring the same aggressive strategy to Henrico County hazing cases.

💰 What Can Henrico County Families Recover?

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation, including:

Type of Damages What It Covers Henrico County Example
Medical Expenses Hospital bills, ER visits, surgery, therapy $50,000+ for rhabdomyolysis treatment
Future Medical Costs Long-term care, dialysis, therapy $500,000+ for kidney damage
Lost Wages Time missed from work or internships $20,000+ for missed summer internship
Pain & Suffering Physical pain, emotional trauma $1,000,000+ for PTSD from waterboarding
Mental Anguish Anxiety, depression, humiliation $500,000+ for therapy after hazing
Punitive Damages Punishment for egregious conduct $2,000,000+ for forced drinking leading to death

Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:

  • $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State)
  • $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green)
  • $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, LSU)
  • $4+ million (Adam Oakes, VCU)

Henrico County families deserve the same level of compensation when their children are hazed.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Henrico County

If you suspect your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach quickly. Here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

  • Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
  • Document everything (photos, medical records, doctor’s notes).
  • Get a full physical and mental health evaluation.

2. Preserve Evidence

  • Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing.
  • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
  • Write down everything your child remembers (who was there, what happened, when).

3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

  • Fraternities and universities will try to cover it up.
  • They may offer a quick settlement—don’t accept it without legal advice.
  • Anything you say can be used against you in court.

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
  • We will guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
  • We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

⚖️ Why Henrico County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

  • We are actively litigating a hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
  • We know exactly how to build these cases and maximize compensation.
  • Henrico County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

  • We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
  • We know their strategies to deny claims and how to defeat them.
  • We use this insider knowledge to get you the maximum settlement.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

  • We can pursue hazing cases in federal court if needed.
  • This gives us more leverage against national fraternities and universities.

4. We Are Dual-Licensed in Texas and New York

  • Strategic advantage for cases involving national fraternities headquartered outside Virginia.
  • We can pursue defendants across state lines.

5. We Offer Free Consultations & Contingency Fees

  • No upfront costs—you pay nothing unless we win.
  • We travel to Henrico County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
  • We offer remote consultations if you can’t meet in person.

6. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

  • Hazing affects all students, including those from Spanish-speaking families.
  • No language barriers—we ensure you understand every step of the process.

📢 Our Message to Henrico County Fraternities & Universities

To the fraternities operating near Henrico County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million+ verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

If your members haze students in Henrico County, we will sue you.

We will sue the national organization.

We will sue the university.

We will sue the individual members.

And we will shut down your chapter for good.

To the universities near Henrico County (VCU, University of Richmond, etc.):

You own the problem.

You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous organizations.

If you fail to act, you will be held liable.

We are coming for you.

🎓 Hazing Isn’t Just a Greek Life Problem—It’s Everywhere in Henrico County

While fraternities and sororities are the most common offenders, hazing happens in many student organizations, including:

Sports teams (football, lacrosse, soccer, etc.)
Marching bands
ROTC programs
Honor societies
Student government
Clubs and organizations

If your child has been hazed in ANY organization, we can help.

📞 Henrico County Families: Call Now for Justice

1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for hazing emergencies

We serve Henrico County and all of Virginia. Distance is not a barrier—we will fight for you no matter where you are.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to End Hazing in Henrico County.

Hazing isn’t tradition. It isn’t brotherhood. It’s abuse. And it has to stop.

If your child has been hazed, you don’t have to stay silent. You have legal rights. And we will fight to make sure those responsible are held accountable.

Call Attorney 911 today. Let’s send a message that hazing in Henrico County will not be tolerated.

1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

📍 Serving Henrico County, Virginia, and Beyond

Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont – Representing Clients Nationwide

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting Hazing Victims Across America

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