Hazing Lawyers Serving Belmont County, Ohio – Attorney 911

The Hazing Crisis in Belmont County: What Parents and Students Need to Know

Belmont County families send their children to college with high hopes—earning a degree, making lifelong friends, and building a bright future. But for too many students, the dream of Greek life or team camaraderie turns into a nightmare of abuse, humiliation, and life-threatening injuries.

Hazing is happening at universities near Belmont County—and it’s not just “harmless tradition.” It’s assault. It’s torture. It’s illegal.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this crisis head-on. Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that proves what happens when fraternities and universities fail to protect students. The same national fraternities operating near Belmont County have the same dangerous cultures. If your child was hazed in Belmont County, we will fight for you with the same aggression.

🚨 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Not “Just Tradition”)

Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

Examples of Hazing in Belmont County and Beyond:

✅ Physical Abuse: Forced exercise until exhaustion, beatings with paddles, branding, sleep deprivation
✅ Forced Consumption: Excessive alcohol, food, or non-food substances (peppercorns, milk, hot sauce) until vomiting
✅ Psychological Torture: Waterboarding (simulated drowning), humiliation, threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Dangerous Activities: Extreme weather exposure, confined spaces, “gauntlet” drinking games

💀 Hazing Kills – And It’s Happening Near Belmont County

• 2017: Andrew Coffey (Pi Kappa Phi, Florida State) – Died from forced alcohol consumption
• 2017: Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State) – Died after being forced to drink and falling down stairs
• 2021: Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green) – Died from alcohol poisoning; family won $10.1M
• 2025: Leonel Bermudez (Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston) – Hospitalized with kidney failure after waterboarding and forced exercise (our current case)

These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a pattern. The same fraternities with chapters near Belmont County have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. If your child was hazed in Belmont County, you have legal rights.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Belmont County?

When hazing happens, everyone involved can—and should—be held accountable. In our current case, we’re suing:

Belmont County families: If your child was hazed at a university near Belmont County, we will pursue every liable party—just like we’re doing in the Pi Kappa Phi case.

💰 Can Belmont County Hazing Victims Sue for Money?

Yes. Hazing victims and their families can recover millions in compensation for:

📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Belmont County Families Can Expect)

These cases prove that hazing victims—and their families—can win big. The same legal strategies apply to Belmont County victims.

⚖️ Ohio Hazing Laws: What Belmont County Families Need to Know

Ohio has strict anti-hazing laws under Collin’s Law (Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31). Key points:

✅ Hazing is a crime – Up to felony charges if serious injury or death occurs
✅ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal
✅ Universities must report hazing – Failure to report is a crime
✅ Organizations can be penalized – Fines, loss of recognition, forfeiture of property

🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Ohio?

Under Ohio law, hazing includes:

• Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, drugs)
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, sleep deprivation)
• Dangerous activities (extreme weather exposure, confinement)

If your child experienced any of these in Belmont County, they were hazed—and you may have a case.

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

📌 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case

📌 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✔ Photos & Videos – Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house
✔ Text Messages & Group Chats – Screenshots of conversations about hazing
✔ Social Media Posts – Any posts about pledge activities
✔ Witness Contact Info – Other pledges, bystanders, friends
✔ Medical Records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to the fraternity or university without a lawyer
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

📌 Step 3: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Ohio, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Don’t wait—evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

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

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

🏢 Universities Near Belmont County with Greek Life (And Hazing Risks)

Belmont County is home to several universities where Greek life thrives—and where hazing can occur. The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide have active chapters at these schools:

If your child attends—or plans to attend—any of these schools, they could be at risk. The same fraternities that hazed our client in Houston have chapters near Belmont County.

🔍 Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed in Belmont County

Hazing is often hidden, but these red flags may indicate your child is a victim:

🚩 Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Extreme exhaustion or difficulty walking
• Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive fatigue)
• Weight loss or signs of dehydration
• Bloodshot eyes or slurred speech (alcohol/drug use)

🚩 Behavioral Signs:

• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Avoiding questions about Greek life
• Withdrawal from friends/family
• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
• Fear of retaliation if they speak up

🚩 Financial Signs:

• Sudden requests for money (“dues,” “pledge fees”)
• Unexplained purchases (alcohol, paddles, costumes)
• Missing valuables (phone, wallet, keys during hazing)

If you notice these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately for help.

📢 Why Belmont County Families Choose Attorney 911

1️⃣ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—the same fraternity with chapters near Belmont County. We know how to win these cases.

2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they try to deny claims—and we use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3️⃣ Nationwide Reach – We Serve Belmont County Hazing Victims

• Federal court authority – Can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
• Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York
• Willing to travel – We’ll come to Belmont County for depositions and trials
• Remote consultations – Video meetings available for Belmont County families

4️⃣ Proven Results in Multi-Million Dollar Cases

• BP Texas City Explosion – Mass tort litigation experience
• $10M Hazing Lawsuit – Current case against Pi Kappa Phi
• Hundreds of Personal Injury Cases – From car accidents to wrongful death

5️⃣ We Treat Belmont County Families Like Family

“We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We will fight hard for you because we truly care.” – Ralph Manginello

🚨 Fraternities Near Belmont County: We’re Watching You

To the fraternities operating near Belmont County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and others:

We are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other cases apply to your chapters. The same national organizations that paid $110 million in settlements are your headquarters.

If you haze students in Belmont County, we will sue:

• Your national organization
• Your local chapter
• Your housing corporation
• Your individual members
• Your alumni advisors

We’ve already shut down Pi Kappa Phi’s UH chapter. Your chapter could be next.

📞 Belmont County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Justice

If your child was hazed in Belmont County—or at any university near Belmont County—you have legal rights. We will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to the Pi Kappa Phi case.

📅 Free, Confidential Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

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

Belmont County families: Your child trusted these organizations. They were betrayed.

Universities near Belmont County: You had the power to stop this. You failed.

National fraternities: You knew the risks. You did nothing.

But we will not be silent. We will not back down. We will fight for justice—for Leonel Bermudez, for every hazing victim, and for every Belmont County family who deserves accountability.

Call us now. Let’s end this together. 📞 1-888-ATTY-911