Hazing in Beaufort County: Legal Rights & Justice for Victims

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice

If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Beaufort County, North Carolina, you are not alone. The same dangerous fraternity and sorority cultures that led to a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas are present at universities and colleges across North Carolina—including those near Beaufort County. The same national organizations, the same reckless traditions, and the same institutional failures exist here.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston—proving that hazing is not just “tradition,” but torture, abuse, and institutional negligence. We bring that same aggressive, data-driven legal strategy to Beaufort County families who have suffered from hazing.

What Is Hazing? The Legal Definition in North Carolina

Hazing is not harmless fun. It is not “building brotherhood.” It is not “earning your place.” Under North Carolina law, hazing includes:

✅ Physical abuse – beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – alcohol, food, or substances leading to poisoning
✅ Psychological torture – sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
✅ Dangerous activities – extreme physical challenges, exposure to elements
✅ Sexual abuse – forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

North Carolina General Statute § 14-35 makes hazing a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by fines and jail time. But criminal charges are not enough—victims and families deserve financial compensation for medical bills, trauma, and lost opportunities.

The Hazing Crisis in Beaufort County & Beyond

Hazing Happens at Beaufort County-Area Schools

While Beaufort County itself is home to Beaufort County Community College (BCCC), many local students attend universities with active Greek life, including:

• East Carolina University (ECU) – Greenville, NC (~45 min from Beaufort County)
• University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) – Wilmington, NC (~2.5 hours)
• North Carolina State University (NCSU) – Raleigh, NC (~3 hours)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) – Chapel Hill, NC (~3.5 hours)

These schools have documented hazing incidents—some leading to hospitalizations and even deaths.

The Same Fraternities Are in Beaufort County-Area Schools

The fraternities involved in our $10 million Texas case—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), and others—have active chapters at universities near Beaufort County. These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide, yet their dangerous culture persists.

If your child was hazed at ECU, UNCW, NCSU, or any other North Carolina school, we can help.

Our $10 Million Hazing Case: What Happened in Texas Could Happen Here

The Case That Proves Hazing Is Torture

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being subjected to:

🔥 Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
🔥 Forced to eat until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns)
🔥 Struck with wooden paddles
🔥 Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until collapse
🔥 Sleep deprivation and exhaustion from driving fraternity members at all hours

Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure—a condition that can be fatal if untreated.

Why This Case Matters to Beaufort County Families

1. The same fraternities operate near Beaufort County – Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, and others have chapters at ECU, UNCW, NCSU, and UNC.
2. Universities enable hazing – The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the abuse occurred. ECU, UNCW, and other schools have similar oversight failures.
3. National organizations know about hazing – Pi Kappa Phi had eight years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died in 2017 at a Pi Kappa Phi event. They did nothing.
4. Victims are afraid to speak up – Our client feared retaliation for coming forward. Beaufort County victims face the same fear.
5. Hazing causes permanent damage – Bermudez suffered kidney failure, PTSD, and long-term health risks. Hazing can kill, maim, and traumatize for life.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Beaufort County?

If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be held accountable:

Beaufort County families: If your child was hazed at ECU, UNCW, NCSU, or any other school, we will identify every liable party and pursue maximum compensation.

What Can Beaufort County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing causes physical, emotional, and financial harm. Victims and families may be entitled to:

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays (Bermudez was hospitalized for 4 days)
• Surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation
• Future medical care (kidney monitoring, therapy for PTSD)

2. Lost Wages & Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work or school
• Lost internships or job opportunities
• Reduced future earning potential (if injuries are permanent)

3. Pain & Suffering

• Physical pain from hazing (beatings, forced exercise, injuries)
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation

4. Punitive Damages

• Punishment for egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced consumption, paddling)
• Deterrence to prevent future hazing

5. Wrongful Death (If Applicable)

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Future financial support

Our $10 million demand in the Texas case is based on real precedent—hazing cases have resulted in settlements and verdicts ranging from $4 million to $110 million.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Beaufort County families: These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win big. The same legal strategies apply to North Carolina cases.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Beaufort County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Hazing injuries (rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, broken bones) can be life-threatening.
• Document everything—hospital records, photos of injuries, medical bills.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
• Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing
• Document witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
• Do NOT delete anything—this could be considered destruction of evidence

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• They will deny liability, destroy evidence, and pressure you to stay silent.
• Do NOT sign anything without legal review.
• Do NOT give recorded statements to insurance companies or administrators.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• North Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
• Evidence disappears quickly—witnesses forget, messages get deleted, universities cover up.
• We offer free, confidential consultations—no upfront cost.

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

Why Beaufort County Families Choose Attorney 911

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

• We know the playbook—how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
• We already have the evidence—medical records, witness statements, fraternity communications.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies work—they will try to lowball or deny your claim.
• We fight for maximum compensation—not just what they offer.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Beaufort County

• Headquartered in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we travel to Beaufort County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• Federal court authority—we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)—strategic advantage against national fraternities.

4. No Upfront Cost – We Work on Contingency

• $0 out of pocket—we only get paid if we win your case.
• No risk to you—if we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing.

5. Compassionate, Aggressive Representation

• We understand the trauma hazing causes—shame, fear, physical pain.
• We fight hard for justice—because no family should suffer in silence.

Fraternities in Beaufort County: We’re Watching You

To the fraternities operating near Beaufort County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and others—we have a message:

“We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing deaths and settlements. If your chapter harms students in Beaufort County, we will pursue every liable entity—including YOU.”

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down after our lawsuit.
Your chapter could be next.

Beaufort County Parents: Protect Your Child

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at ECU, UNCW, NCSU, or any North Carolina school, they are at risk. Here’s what you can do:

✅ Talk to them about hazing—many students don’t realize how dangerous it is.
✅ Ask for details about pledge activities—if they’re secretive, that’s a red flag.
✅ Document everything—save texts, photos, and communications.
✅ Report suspected hazing—contact the university’s Greek life office.
✅ Call us if your child is injured—we offer free, confidential case evaluations.

Next Steps for Beaufort County Hazing Victims

1. Free Case Evaluation

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com for a no-obligation consultation.
• We will review your case, explain your rights, and outline your legal options.

2. Evidence Preservation

• We will send preservation letters to the fraternity, university, and individuals to prevent evidence destruction.

3. Medical Documentation

• We will obtain medical records to prove the extent of injuries.

4. Demand Letter & Negotiation

• We will send a demand letter to all liable parties.
• If they refuse to settle fairly, we will file a lawsuit.

5. Trial (If Necessary)

• We are trial attorneys—we don’t back down from insurance companies or universities.
• We will fight for maximum compensation in court.

Beaufort County Hazing Victims: You Deserve Justice

Hazing is not a rite of passage. It is not tradition. It is abuse, torture, and institutional failure.

If your child was hazed at ECU, UNCW, NCSU, or any North Carolina school, we will fight for you.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you win. No upfront cost. No risk. Just justice.

Enough is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.

Beaufort County families: We’re here to help.