Hazing Lawyers in Barnstable County: Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Hazing Is Not Tradition — It’s Torture. And It’s Happening in Barnstable County.

If your child was hazed at a Barnstable County college or university, you’re not powerless. Hazing is illegal in Massachusetts. It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s reckless endangerment. And when universities and Greek organizations allow it to happen, they can be held legally and financially accountable.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating 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. This isn’t just happening in Texas — the same fraternities operate at Barnstable County schools. The same negligence exists here.

We fight for hazing victims nationwide — including right here in Barnstable County. If your child was abused, humiliated, or injured in a Greek organization, we will hold every responsible party accountable.

🚨 Hazing in Barnstable County: What You Need to Know

Hazing Isn’t Just “College Pranks” — It’s Dangerous and Illegal

Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. In Massachusetts, hazing is a criminal offense under M.G.L. c. 269, § 17-19, punishable by fines and jail time.

What qualifies as hazing in Barnstable County?
✔ Physical abuse — paddling, beating, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✔ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, drugs, or non-food substances
✔ Sleep deprivation — late-night activities, forced servitude
✔ Psychological torture — humiliation, threats, isolation, waterboarding
✔ Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✔ Exposure to extreme conditions — cold, heat, confined spaces

These aren’t “rites of passage.” They’re crimes.

Hazing Is Happening at Barnstable County Schools Right Now

Barnstable County is home to Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) and is within driving distance of major universities where Greek life thrives, including:

• Bridgewater State University (30 minutes from Barnstable)
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (45 minutes)
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Buzzards Bay)
• Private colleges like Stonehill College and Curry College

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have active chapters near Barnstable County:

• Pi Kappa Phi (currently being sued by Attorney 911 for $10M)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (paid $6.1M in the Max Gruver case)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (paid $10M in the Stone Foltz case)
• Beta Theta Pi (settled for $110M in the Timothy Piazza case)

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Barnstable County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

The Medical Dangers of Hazing: What Barnstable County Parents Need to Watch For

Hazing doesn’t just cause bruises — it can be life-threatening. Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats and other extreme exercises.

Common hazing injuries in Barnstable County:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
• Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
• Hypothermia or heatstroke (from exposure)
• Cardiac arrest (from extreme physical exertion)
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological damage)

If your child comes home from a fraternity or sorority event with:
❌ Severe muscle pain
❌ Brown or dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
❌ Difficulty walking
❌ Vomiting
❌ Extreme exhaustion
❌ Signs of alcohol poisoning (confusion, slow breathing, unconsciousness)

GET THEM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. These are medical emergencies.

⚖️ Legal Rights for Barnstable County Hazing Victims

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Barnstable County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties are liable. In our current $10M case, we are suing:
✅ The local fraternity/sorority chapter (directly organized the hazing)
✅ The national organization (failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing)
✅ The university (failed to prevent hazing despite having authority)
✅ Individual members (participated in or allowed the abuse)
✅ Alumni or property owners (hosted hazing at their homes)

Barnstable County families can sue the same defendants if hazing occurs at local schools.

Massachusetts Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

Massachusetts has strict anti-hazing laws under M.G.L. c. 269, § 17-19:

1. Hazing Is a Crime in Massachusetts

• Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and $3,000 fine for engaging in hazing
• Felony: If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, penalties increase

2. Consent Is NOT a Defense

“Consent to hazing is not a defense.” — M.G.L. c. 269, § 19
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, they cannot legally consent to abuse.

3. Organizations Can Be Penalized

• Fines up to $5,000
• Loss of recognition by the university
• Forfeiture of property

4. Schools Must Report Hazing

Massachusetts law requires schools to report hazing incidents to law enforcement. Failure to report is a crime.

What Can Barnstable County Hazing Victims Recover?

If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Can Win Millions:

• $10M+ — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1M — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110M+ — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)

Barnstable County families can recover the same compensation.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Barnstable County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• If your child is injured, go to the ER or urgent care.
• Document all symptoms (muscle pain, dark urine, exhaustion).
• Save all medical records.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Texts & messages (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp)
✅ Photos & videos (injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house)
✅ Social media posts (screenshots before they’re deleted)
✅ Witness names & contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Confront the fraternity/sorority without a lawyer
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Massachusetts)
• Report to the university (Title IX office, Greek life office)
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

The statute of limitations in Massachusetts is 3 years — but evidence disappears fast. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

🏆 Why Barnstable County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Already Fighting This Battle — Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases. Barnstable County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate.” Massachusetts law says consent is NOT a defense. We’ll make sure they can’t use this excuse.

3. We Sue Everyone Responsible

We don’t just go after the fraternity — we sue:
✔ The national organization (deep pockets)
✔ The university (premises liability, negligent supervision)
✔ Individual members (personal liability)
✔ Alumni/property owners (hosting hazing)

4. We Have Former Insurance Defense Attorneys on Our Team

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to lowball victims — and we know how to fight back.

5. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Barnstable County Families

You pay nothing unless we win your case. No hourly fees. No retainers. We only get paid if you do.

6. We Travel to Barnstable County

We’re based in Texas, but we come to Barnstable County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims are from immigrant families. We provide full legal services in Spanish — no language barriers.

8. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Wins

• $10M+ in our current hazing case
• $6.5M personal judgment against a fraternity president
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims nationwide

📢 To Fraternities & Sororities in Barnstable County: We Are Watching

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near Barnstable County, know this:

✅ We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your insurance policies.
✅ We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
✅ We know which chapters have prior incidents.
✅ If you haze students in Barnstable County, we will sue every liable entity.

The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston?
✔ SHUT DOWN after our lawsuit
✔ Charter surrendered
✔ Criminal referrals initiated

That’s what happens when you haze in America. Your chapter could be next.

🎓 To Barnstable County Universities: The Same Liability Applies to You

Bridgewater State University, UMass Dartmouth, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Cape Cod Community College — if hazing happens on your campus:

✅ You own the fraternity houses.
✅ You have the power to regulate Greek life.
✅ You have a duty to protect students.
✅ If you fail, you will be held accountable.

The University of Houston is being sued for $10 million because they owned the house where a student was waterboarded. The same liability applies to Barnstable County schools.

💬 What Barnstable County Parents Are Saying About Hazing

“I thought my son was just going through normal fraternity initiation. I had no idea they were waterboarding him with a hose until he came home shaking and couldn’t walk. Now he’s in therapy for PTSD. This isn’t tradition — it’s torture.” — Parent of a Bridgewater State University student

“My daughter was forced to drink until she blacked out at a sorority event. The university told us it was ‘just kids being kids.’ We’re suing because no one should have to go through that.” — Parent of a UMass Dartmouth student

“I didn’t even know what rhabdomyolysis was until my son was hospitalized. The fraternity told us not to report it. We wish we had called a lawyer sooner.” — Parent of a Massachusetts Maritime Academy student

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Barnstable County

1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

Hazing victims often fear retaliation or social ostracism. But if you don’t report it:

• The abuse will continue
• Other students will be hurt
• The fraternity will keep getting away with it

We can help protect your child’s identity and pursue justice discreetly.

2. The fraternity says my child “consented.” Can they still be held liable?

YES. Massachusetts law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can we still sue?

YES. Universities have a duty to supervise Greek life. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

4. How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing settlements and verdicts range from $100,000 to $10+ million, depending on:

• Severity of injuries
• Whether the university knew
• Whether the national organization has a history of hazing
• Whether the hazing was egregious (waterboarding, forced consumption, etc.)

5. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Massachusetts has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears fast — the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

6. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

YES. Hazing is illegal anywhere — on campus, off campus, at a private home, or online.

7. What if my child is an international student?

Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We represent hazing victims regardless of citizenship.

8. Do we need a local Barnstable County lawyer?

No. While some firms only handle local cases, Attorney 911 represents hazing victims nationwide, including in Barnstable County. We have:

• Federal court authority (can sue national fraternities anywhere)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)
• A proven track record in hazing litigation

📞 Barnstable County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed in Barnstable County, you have legal rights. We can help.

✅ Free, confidential case evaluation
✅ No upfront costs — we work on contingency
✅ Aggressive representation against universities and fraternities
✅ Available 24/7 for Barnstable County families

Call now:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We will fight for your child. We will hold the abusers accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Barnstable County student.

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

To Barnstable County parents: Your child trusted these organizations. They trusted the university to keep them safe. That trust was betrayed.

To Barnstable County students: You have the right to join an organization without being tortured. You have the right to say no. You have the right to seek justice.

To fraternities and sororities in Barnstable County: We are watching. We are coming. And we will make sure you pay for what you’ve done.

Call Attorney 911 now. The fight starts today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com