Attorney 911: Adams County’s Trusted Hazing Litigation Experts
🚨 Hazing in Adams County: A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight
Adams County families send their children to college expecting safety, growth, and opportunity. But behind the scenes, a dangerous culture of hazing persists in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and student organizations across Indiana and the nation. What starts as “tradition” or “team bonding” too often escalates into physical abuse, psychological torture, and life-altering injuries—or worse.
This isn’t just happening elsewhere. It’s happening right here in Adams County.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting back. We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a young man with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities, the same negligence, and the same failures exist at institutions near Adams County. Your child could be next.
If your family has been affected by hazing in Adams County, you’re not alone. We’re here to help.
🏆 Why Adams County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million case against one of the nation’s largest fraternities. We know how these organizations operate, how they cover up abuse, and how to hold them accountable.
2. Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment
Based in Texas but serving Adams County and all of Indiana, we have the resources and experience to take on national fraternities, universities, and deep-pocketed defendants. We’ll travel to Adams County for depositions, meetings, and trials—distance is not a barrier to justice.
3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know their playbook. We’ve seen how they try to minimize claims, deny liability, and wear down victims. Now, we use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
4. Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York)
This gives us a strategic advantage when suing national fraternities and universities headquartered outside Indiana. We can pursue claims in federal court, where many hazing cases belong.
5. Federal Court Authority
We’re admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal litigation. This allows us to pursue hazing cases involving civil rights violations, Title IX claims, and interstate liability.
6. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation
- BP Texas City Explosion Litigation – Represented victims in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. history.
- Multi-Million Dollar Settlements – Recovered millions for clients in personal injury, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases.
- Criminal Defense Experience – Know how to navigate parallel civil and criminal investigations.
7. We Speak Your Language (Literally)
Our team is bilingual (English & Spanish) and understands the unique challenges faced by Adams County’s Hispanic community. No language barriers. No cultural misunderstandings. Just justice.
8. Contingency Fee Representation – $0 Upfront
We understand that Adams County families may be hesitant to pursue legal action due to cost. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
📋 What Counts as Hazing in Adams County?
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” Under Indiana law, hazing includes any activity that:
✅ Endangers physical or mental health (e.g., forced exercise to exhaustion, sleep deprivation, extreme weather exposure)
✅ Involves forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs (e.g., binge drinking, eating until vomiting)
✅ Includes physical brutality (e.g., paddling, branding, waterboarding, beatings)
✅ Causes humiliation or psychological abuse (e.g., carrying degrading objects, forced nudity, verbal abuse)
✅ Creates unreasonable risk of harm (e.g., blindfolded activities, dangerous stunts)
Indiana’s Anti-Hazing Law (IC 35-42-2-2) makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison.
But criminal charges aren’t enough. Victims and families deserve financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term trauma. That’s where we come in.
💔 Real Hazing Cases That Hit Close to Home
Case 1: The $10 Million Fight (Our Current Case)
Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not yet enrolled at UH)
Organization: Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston)
What Happened:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and bear crawls until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Why This Matters to Adams County:
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Adams County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized Bermudez exist at Indiana institutions. If it can happen in Houston, it can happen in Adams County.
Case 2: The Death That Changed a State
Victim: Maxwell Gruver (18)
Organization: Phi Delta Theta (LSU)
What Happened:
- Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual
- Blood alcohol content: 0.495 (6x the legal limit)
- Died from alcohol poisoning
Outcome: - $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
- Max Gruver Act – Made hazing a felony in Louisiana
Why This Matters to Adams County:
Juries award millions for hazing deaths and injuries. The same justice is possible for Adams County families.
Case 3: The Fraternity That Waited 12 Hours to Call 911
Victim: Timothy Piazza (19)
Organization: Beta Theta Pi (Penn State)
What Happened:
- Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes (BAC: 0.36)
- Fell down basement stairs multiple times
- Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911
- Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding
Outcome: - $110+ million settlement (estimated)
- Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law – Strengthened Pennsylvania’s hazing penalties
Why This Matters to Adams County:
Universities own fraternity houses—just like at Indiana institutions. When they fail to protect students, they share liability.
🔍 Who Can Be Held Liable for Adams County Hazing?
Hazing cases aren’t just about the individuals who participated. We pursue every liable party to maximize your recovery.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Adams County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Chapters at Indiana universities near Adams County |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc. |
| University | Failed to monitor Greek life, ignored prior incidents | Indiana colleges with Greek life oversight failures |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility, directed hazing | Presidents, pledge masters, risk managers |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Active members, alumni who facilitated |
| Housing Corporations | Owned property where hazing occurred | Fraternity/sorority houses near Adams County |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Premises liability for off-campus events |
| Insurance Companies | Must pay for institutional negligence | Deep pockets for settlements/verdicts |
💰 What Is Your Adams County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:
| Damage Type | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, internship opportunities | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $250,000 – $2,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, cover-ups) | $500,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
Adams County families deserve the same justice.
🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Adams County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Injuries, hazing locations, items used
✅ Texts/Group Chats – Save all communications about hazing
✅ Social Media – Screenshot posts, messages, or videos
✅ Witness Information – Names and contact info of other victims or bystanders
✅ Medical Records – Hospital visits, doctor’s notes, therapy records
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- Do not give statements to Greek life leaders or university officials.
- Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
- Do not post about the incident on social media.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
Time is critical. Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Call us now for a free consultation.
📞 Adams County Families: We’re Here for You
If your child has been hazed at an Indiana university, fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Adams County, you have legal rights. We’re here to fight for you.
📍 Serving Adams County from Our Texas Offices
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Adams County. We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations
✅ Video meetings (no need to travel)
✅ In-person visits (we’ll come to Adams County for your case)
✅ Contingency fee representation ($0 upfront)
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
🎯 Our Promise to Adams County Families
- We’ll listen. Your story matters. We’ll treat you with dignity and respect.
- We’ll investigate. We’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case.
- We’ll fight. We won’t back down from national fraternities or universities.
- We’ll win. We’ll pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.
- We’ll protect. We’ll shield you from retaliation and intimidation.
You’re not just a case to us. You’re a family that deserves justice.
🚨 Fraternities Near Adams County: We’re Watching You
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Adams County:
We know who you are.
We know your corporate structures.
We know your insurance policies.
We know your hazing histories.
If you haze students in Adams County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will shut you down.
The same legal strategies that won $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. Your chapter could be next.
📢 A Message to Adams County Parents
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university to protect them. You trusted the fraternity to guide them.
That trust was betrayed.
But you don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept “boys will be boys” as an excuse. You don’t have to let them get away with it.
Call us. Let’s hold them accountable. Let’s make sure this never happens to another Adams County family.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Justice for Adams County. Justice for your family.
