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Blackford County (Earth/North America/United States/Indiana/Blackford County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 21, 2026 15 min read
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Hazing Lawyer in Blackford County, Indiana – Attorney 911

Blackford County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. We Will Fight for Justice.

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse.
It isn’t bonding. It’s torture.
And in Blackford County, Indiana, it’s happening right now—at universities, fraternities, and organizations your child trusted.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that made national headlines after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure.

This same fraternity operates near Blackford County.
This same culture exists at Indiana institutions.
And we will fight for Blackford County families with the same fury.

If your child was hazed in Blackford County, Indiana, or at a university near Blackford County, you have legal rights. You can sue. You can win. And we can help—no matter where you are.

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

What Is Hazing? What Happens in Blackford County?

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

In Blackford County and across Indiana, hazing includes:

Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or substances until vomiting or passing out
Sleep deprivation – Late-night activities, early-morning tasks, disrupted sleep
Psychological torture – Humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
Waterboarding & simulated drowning – A form of torture used in war crimes
Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
Extreme physical punishment – 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls

This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is assault. This is battery. This is illegal.

And it’s happening to students in Blackford County and near Blackford County right now.

The Hazing Crisis in Indiana – Why Blackford County Families Need Legal Help

Hazing Is Deadly – And It’s Happening Near Blackford County

  • 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing.
  • Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
  • 95% of hazing victims never report it—out of fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization.

Indiana is not immune.

  • Purdue University has faced multiple hazing investigations.
  • Indiana University has suspended fraternities for hazing.
  • Ball State University has disciplined organizations for dangerous initiation rituals.
  • Smaller colleges near Blackford County have Greek life chapters with the same risks.

The same national fraternities that hazed our client in Texas—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma—have chapters at universities near Blackford County.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Indiana, they face the same risks.

What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Blackford County

Our $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit – The Case That Proves Hazing Is Torture

Leonel Bermudez was a transfer student who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet—he was a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer for the Spring 2026 semester.

What happened next was systematic abuse:

🔥 Waterboarded with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture.
🔥 Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls – Until his muscles broke down.
🔥 Struck with wooden paddles – Physical beatings.
🔥 Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting – Then made to keep running.
🔥 Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth – Another pledge endured this for over an hour.
🔥 Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed – The fraternity kept going.

The result?

  • Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
  • Acute kidney failure
  • 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital

Pi Kappa Phi’s response?
They closed the chapter—then said, “We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”

No apology. No accountability. Just planning their comeback.

This is what hazing looks like. This is what’s happening near Blackford County. And this is why we fight.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Blackford County?

If Your Child Was Hazed, We Can Sue:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Fraternity/Sorority Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture
University/College Failed to protect students; negligent oversight
Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster) Leadership responsibility; directed hazing
Individual Members Participated in hazing; failed to stop it
Alumni/Hosts Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability
Insurance Companies Coverage for institutional liability

The deep pockets?

  • National fraternities/sororities have millions in assets and insurance.
  • Universities have substantial endowments and liability coverage.
  • Individuals may have homeowner’s insurance.

This is not about suing broke college students. This is about holding institutions accountable.

Indiana Hazing Laws – Your Legal Rights in Blackford County

Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 – Hazing Is a Crime

In Indiana, hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by:

  • Up to 180 days in jail
  • Up to $1,000 in fines

If hazing causes serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by:

  • 6 months to 2.5 years in prison
  • Up to $10,000 in fines

Consent is NOT a defense.
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Indiana law says consent does not matter.

Civil Lawsuits – You Can Sue for Money Damages

In addition to criminal charges, you can file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages (if your child couldn’t work)
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
  • Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)

Our $10 million lawsuit proves that hazing cases win big.
Blackford County families deserve the same justice.

Precedent Cases – Hazing Victims Win Millions

These Cases Prove Blackford County Families Can Win

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1 Million
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta Jury Verdict $6.1 Million
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Settlement $110+ Million
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Settlement Confidential (multi-million)
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Settlement $4+ Million

The message is clear:

  • Juries award millions for hazing deaths and injuries.
  • Universities and fraternities pay.
  • Blackford County families can win too.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Blackford County

Step-by-Step Action Plan

  1. Get Medical Help Immediately

    • Even if injuries seem minor, document everything.
    • Rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and psychological trauma may not appear right away.
  2. Preserve All Evidence

    • Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Screenshot everything.
    • Photos/videos – Save all images of injuries, hazing activities, or locations.
    • Witness names – Get contact info for other pledges or bystanders.
  3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization

    • They will try to control the narrative.
    • They will pressure you to stay quiet.
    • Anything you say can be used against you.
  4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

    • Insurance companies and lawyers will use your posts to minimize your claim.
    • Stay silent online until your case is resolved.
  5. Report to Authorities

    • File a police report.
    • Report to the university’s Title IX office.
  6. Call a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

    • Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims.
    • Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.
    • Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Blackford County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are the Hazing Litigation Experts – Fighting for Justice Nationwide

25+ Years of Courtroom Experience – Battle-tested trial attorneys.
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know their playbook.
Federal Court Admission – Can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
Dual-State Bar Licenses – Texas AND New York (strategic for national fraternities).
Se Habla Español – Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families.
$10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Pending – We’re fighting this battle RIGHT NOW.
Contingency Fee$0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win.

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it in court right now.
And we’ll fight for Blackford County families with the same aggression.

Blackford County Universities & Greek Life – We Are Watching

To Fraternities & Sororities Near Blackford County:

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Nu, Delta Chi, and all others:

We know your chapters exist at universities near Blackford County. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. We know you have 150+ chapters across America, and if one is hazing, others are too.

If your Indiana chapter harms a student, we will sue:

  • The local chapter
  • The national organization
  • The university
  • Every individual involved

We are coming for you.
The $10 million lawsuit is just the beginning.

Blackford County Parents: Protect Your Child

Greek Life Is Not Safe – Here’s What You Need to Know

🚨 Your child faces the same risks as our client in Houston.
🚨 The same fraternities operate near Blackford County.
🚨 Universities near Blackford County fail to protect students.
🚨 Hazing is happening right now—your child could be next.

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

  • Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
  • Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Secretive behavior about their organization
  • Avoiding certain people or places
  • Signs of anxiety, depression, or PTSD
  • Dropping grades or skipping classes
  • Unusual items in their possession (paddles, strange objects)

If you suspect hazing, act immediately.
Call us before it’s too late: 1-888-ATTY-911

Frequently Asked Questions – Blackford County Hazing Cases

Can I sue if my child was hazed in Blackford County?

Yes. If your child was injured due to hazing, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the fraternity, sorority, university, and individuals responsible.

What if my child “consented” to hazing?

Consent is not a defense in Indiana.
Indiana law explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

What damages can I recover?

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages (if your child couldn’t work)
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
  • Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)

How much is my case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.

  • $10.1 million (Stone Foltz case)
  • $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver jury verdict)
  • $110+ million (Timothy Piazza settlement)

We will fight for maximum compensation for your Blackford County family.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Can I afford a lawyer?

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

What if my child is afraid to speak out?

We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear retribution, but we ensure their safety and confidentiality. Your child’s identity can be protected.

Can you help if the hazing happened outside Blackford County?

Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide. If your child was hazed at a university near Blackford County, we can help—no matter where you are.

Blackford County Hazing Lawyer – Free Consultation

If your child was hazed in Blackford County or at a university near Blackford County, we can help.

📞 Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

We offer:
Free, confidential consultations
$0 upfront – we don’t get paid unless you win
Video consultations for Blackford County families
Willingness to travel to Blackford County for your case

The time to act is now.
Hazing victims in Blackford County deserve justice.
We will fight for you.

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