🚨 Hazing Lawyers Serving Roane County, West Virginia — Attorney 911
Justice for Hazing Victims in Roane County and Beyond — We Fight for Students Like Yours
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that has made national headlines for exposing waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and other brutal hazing rituals that hospitalized a young man with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening at colleges and universities near Roane County, West Virginia.
If your child has been hazed — whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization in or near Roane County — you have legal rights. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including those in West Virginia, and we will fight for your family with the same determination we’re bringing to our current case.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🏆 Why Roane County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
✅ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now — And Winning
While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas. Our case involves waterboarding, forced consumption, extreme physical punishment, and institutional negligence that hospitalized a young man with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
✅ Nationwide Representation — Including Roane County, WV
We serve hazing victims across America, including West Virginia. Our attorneys are licensed in Texas and New York, and we have federal court authority — meaning we can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys previously worked for insurance companies and defense firms, representing the very institutions we now sue. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize claims and deny liability. We use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery.
✅ $0 Upfront Cost — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on contingency — you don’t pay us unless and until we recover compensation for you. No hourly fees. No retainers. No financial risk. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
✅ Aggressive Advocacy for Roane County Families
We don’t just settle cases — we fight for justice. Our current hazing case has already forced Pi Kappa Phi to permanently close their UH chapter. We’re holding them accountable, and we’ll do the same for your family if your child was hazed in or near Roane County.
🎯 What Is Hazing? — And Why It’s Illegal in West Virginia
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
Hazing includes (but is not limited to):
- Physical abuse: Beating, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, non-food substances (e.g., milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this is happening — it’s in our current case)
- Sleep deprivation: Forced late-night activities, early-morning driving
- Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
- Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
- Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands
In West Virginia, hazing is a criminal offense. Under West Virginia Code §18-2-25a, hazing is a misdemeanor, and if it causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be a felony. Consent is not a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
💔 What Hazing Does to Roane County Students
Hazing isn’t “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse, and it leaves lasting scars:
🏥 Physical Injuries
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — as seen in our current case
- Acute kidney failure — as seen in our current case
- Alcohol poisoning — a leading cause of hazing deaths
- Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
- Broken bones — from physical abuse
- Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
- Internal bleeding — from forced consumption or assault
🧠 Psychological Trauma
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — from waterboarding, assault, or humiliation
- Anxiety and depression — lasting for years after the incident
- Suicidal ideation — many hazing victims struggle with self-harm
- Trust issues — difficulty forming relationships after betrayal
- Academic decline — inability to focus, dropping out, failing courses
💰 Financial Consequences
- Medical bills — emergency room visits, hospital stays, ongoing treatment
- Therapy costs — mental health treatment for trauma
- Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
- Educational disruption — delayed graduation, lost scholarships
Hazing doesn’t just hurt students — it devastates families. And the institutions that allow it — fraternities, sororities, universities, national organizations — must be held accountable.
🏛️ Who We Sue for Roane County Hazing Victims
When we take on a hazing case, we don’t just sue the individuals involved. We sue everyone who enabled the abuse:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our Current Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | Fraternity president, pledgemaster |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Current and former members |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about “hazing crisis” | Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Beta Nu Housing Corporation |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing; may own fraternity house | University of Houston (owns the house) |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their residence | Former member + spouse named as defendants |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Multiple policies may apply |
We don’t just sue broke college students — we go after the deep pockets that allowed this to happen.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Roane County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations run out. Here’s what you should do immediately:
⚠️ Step 1: Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and psychological trauma may not appear immediately
- Medical records are critical evidence
⚠️ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- DO NOT DELETE any text messages, social media posts, or emails
- Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Save physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
- Document dates, times, locations of hazing incidents
⚠️ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- The fraternity, sorority, or university will try to control the narrative
- They may offer a “settlement” — never accept without legal counsel
- Do not sign anything from the organization
- Do not give a statement without your attorney present
⚠️ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options
- We’ll handle all communications with the organization and their lawyers
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
💰 What Your Roane County Hazing Case Is Worth
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. Our current case seeks $10 million, and we’ve seen similar cases result in:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1M+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110M+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Our Current Case | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10M Lawsuit Pending | — |
Your case value depends on:
- The severity of injuries (physical and psychological)
- The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced consumption, etc.)
- Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
- The availability of insurance coverage and defendant assets
- The impact on your child’s life (medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress)
We fight for every dollar your family deserves.
🎓 Hazing at West Virginia Universities — What Roane County Families Need to Know
While Roane County itself is home to smaller colleges like Roane-Jackson Technical Center, many Roane County students attend larger universities in West Virginia where hazing is a known risk. The same fraternities and sororities that hazed our client in Texas have chapters at West Virginia schools — and they bring the same dangerous culture with them.
🏫 West Virginia Universities with Greek Life Near Roane County:
| University | Location | Distance from Roane County | Greek Organizations Present |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University (WVU) | Morgantown, WV | ~150 miles | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and many others |
| Marshall University | Huntington, WV | ~100 miles | Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Alpha Delta Pi, and others |
| West Virginia State University | Institute, WV | ~120 miles | Fraternities and sororities present |
| University of Charleston | Charleston, WV | ~80 miles | Greek life organizations |
| Fairmont State University | Fairmont, WV | ~180 miles | Greek organizations |
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client.
⚠️ Fraternities with Hazing Histories Near Roane County:
| Fraternity | Hazing Incidents | West Virginia Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey death (2017), Leonel Bermudez hospitalization (2025) | WVU (Beta Theta chapter) |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021), multiple hospitalizations | WVU, Marshall |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple deaths, hospitalizations | WVU |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple deaths, lawsuits | WVU |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple deaths, criminal charges | WVU |
These are not isolated incidents. These are patterns — and they’re happening at West Virginia universities near Roane County.
📢 Our Message to Fraternities Near Roane County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and every other fraternity operating near Roane County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million+ verdicts for hazing victims nationwide apply to your chapters. The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at West Virginia universities. The same pattern of hazing deaths and hospitalizations that we’re fighting in Texas happens in your chapters too.
If you haze students in West Virginia, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your national organization, your housing corporation, and your individual members. We will pursue every dollar of insurance coverage. And we will make sure your chapter never hazes again.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Permanently closed after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ Our Message to West Virginia Universities
To West Virginia University, Marshall University, and every other university near Roane County:
You own the problem.
You own the fraternity houses. You approve the charters. You collect the dues. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters. When you fail to act, you become liable.
The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was waterboarded and hospitalized. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at another fraternity. They knew the risks. They did nothing — and now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.
West Virginia universities: You have been warned.
If you know about hazing and fail to stop it, you will be sued. If you own the property where hazing occurs, you will be sued. If you have the power to prevent harm and choose not to, you will pay.
📞 Roane County Families: Contact Us Now
If your child has been hazed — in Roane County or anywhere in West Virginia — call us immediately.
✅ Free, confidential consultation
✅ $0 upfront cost — we work on contingency
✅ Nationwide representation — including West Virginia
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how to win
✅ Aggressive advocacy — we’re fighting this battle right now
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We will travel to Roane County for your case. We will fight for your family. And we will make sure this never happens to another student.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Roane County Families
Q: My child was hazed at a West Virginia university, but we live in Roane County. Can you still help us?
A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including those in West Virginia. Our attorneys are licensed in Texas and New York, and we have federal court authority — meaning we can pursue your case no matter where the hazing occurred. Distance is not a barrier.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. In both Texas and West Virginia, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable. The fraternity’s claim is legally invalid.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation for speaking out?
A: We understand the fear of retaliation, and we take it seriously. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is also fearful of retribution. We will protect your child’s identity and safety throughout the legal process. We can also pursue claims against individuals who attempt to intimidate or retaliate against victims.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911 for a hazing case?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — you don’t pay us unless and until we recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. There is no financial risk to your family.
Q: What if the hazing happened months or years ago? Is it too late to sue?
A: It depends. Most states have a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. However, there are exceptions for delayed discovery of injuries (such as psychological trauma) or if the victim was a minor. Call us immediately — even if you think it’s too late. We’ll evaluate your case and let you know your options.
Q: The university says they’re “investigating” the hazing. Should we wait for their report?
A: No. University investigations are designed to protect the institution, not your child. They may downplay the severity of the hazing, shift blame, or even destroy evidence. Contact us immediately so we can conduct our own investigation and protect your child’s rights.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a high school or club, not a college?
A: Hazing happens in high schools, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other organizations — not just colleges. We represent victims of all ages and in all types of organizations. If your child was hazed, call us.
Q: Can we sue even if no one was physically injured?
A: Yes. Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety, depression — is just as real and just as compensable as physical injuries. If your child suffered emotional distress from hazing, you have a valid legal claim.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis in West Virginia — By the Numbers
Hazing is not a “few bad apples” problem. It’s a cultural epidemic — and West Virginia is not immune.
| Statistic | National Data | West Virginia Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing | Source: Inside Higher Ed | WVU and Marshall have active Greek systems |
| 40% of student athletes report hazing | Source: NCAA | West Virginia universities have Division I athletics |
| 1+ hazing death per year since 2000 | Source: Hank Nuwer | West Virginia has had hazing incidents |
| 95% of hazing victims do not report it | Source: University of Maine | Many Roane County families may not know their child was hazed |
| $10M+ settlements in hazing cases | Source: Our current case | West Virginia victims deserve the same justice |
This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in West Virginia — and it’s time to stop it.
📜 West Virginia Hazing Law — Know Your Rights
West Virginia has strong laws against hazing, and victims have legal rights to compensation.
West Virginia Code §18-2-25a — Hazing
Definition:
“Hazing” means to cause any act to be done or situation to be created which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary educational institution.
Penalties:
| Offense | Classification | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail; up to $1,000 fine |
| Hazing causing serious bodily injury | Felony | 1-5 years in prison; up to $2,500 fine |
| Hazing causing death | Felony | 1-10 years in prison; up to $10,000 fine |
Key Provisions:
- Consent is not a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
- Organizations can be penalized — Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined or lose recognition.
- Universities can be liable — If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.
🚨 Roane County Families: This Could Be Your Child
This is what hazing looks like in 2025 — and it’s happening at West Virginia universities near Roane County.
Our Current Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston
What Happened:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls — until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to keep running
- Another pledge lost consciousness on October 15 — they kept going
- Result: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4 days in the hospital
Why It Matters to Roane County:
- Pi Kappa Phi has a chapter at WVU — Beta Theta chapter
- The same “traditions” exist at West Virginia fraternities
- WVU owns fraternity houses — just like UH did
- If your child is pledging near Roane County, they face the same risks
The fraternity’s response?
“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”
No apology. No remorse. Just planning their comeback.
We’re fighting to make sure they never come back — and to protect Roane County students from the same fate.
📞 Roane County Families: Call Now — Before It’s Too Late
Hazing destroys lives. We rebuild them through justice.
If your child has been hazed in Roane County or at a West Virginia university, call us immediately. We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultation — no obligation
✅ $0 upfront cost — we work on contingency
✅ Nationwide representation — including West Virginia
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how to win
✅ Aggressive advocacy — we’re fighting this battle right now
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We will travel to Roane County for your case. We will fight for your family. And we will make sure this never happens to another student.
🏆 Why We Fight for Roane County Families
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
We’re not just lawyers. We’re fathers. We’re advocates. We’re fighters.
We’ve seen what hazing does to families — the fear, the pain, the betrayal. We’re fighting this battle in court right now because no parent should have to watch their child crawl up the stairs in agony, wondering if they’ll make it to the hospital in time.
Roane County families deserve the same justice we’re fighting for in Texas. And we won’t stop until we deliver it.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Your child’s future depends on it.
