Hazing Victims in Bradley County, Tennessee: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

Bradley County Families: You Are Not Alone

If your child has been the victim of hazing at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Bradley County, Tennessee, you may feel shocked, betrayed, and overwhelmed. The institutions you trusted to protect your child have failed. The organizations that promised friendship and community have delivered abuse, injury, or even death.

We want you to know: What happened to your child was not “tradition.” It was not “building character.” It was not “just college.”

It was abuse. It was assault. It was reckless endangerment. And it was illegal.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know exactly how these cases work. We know how to hold universities, national organizations, and individual perpetrators accountable. And we are ready to fight for Bradley County families with the same determination.

Hazing in Bradley County: The Reality

Bradley County is home to Cleveland State Community College and is in close proximity to major universities including:

• Lee University (Cleveland, TN)
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)
• Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, TN)
• Tennessee Wesleyan University (Athens, TN)

These institutions have active Greek life programs. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and hospitalizations across America operate chapters at universities near Bradley County.

The Hazing Crisis in Tennessee

Tennessee has seen its share of hazing tragedies:

• 2019: A fraternity pledge at the University of Tennessee was hospitalized after being forced to drink until he passed out.
• 2021: A student at Tennessee State University died after a hazing incident involving alcohol.
• 2023: Multiple hazing investigations were launched at Vanderbilt University.

These incidents are not isolated. They are part of a nationwide pattern of institutional failure.

What Hazing Looks Like in Bradley County

Hazing is not limited to fraternities. It occurs in:

• Fraternities and sororities (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Delta Delta Delta)
• Sports teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• Student clubs

Common hazing activities reported in Tennessee and nationwide include:

• Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
• Extreme physical exertion (hundreds of pushups, squats, running until collapse)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Forced eating (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting)
• Physical beatings (paddling, hitting)
• Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, no rest)
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, degradation, threats)
• Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
• Confinement (locked in small spaces, hog-tying)

The medical consequences can be severe:

• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure, as seen in our current case)
• Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
• Hypothermia or heat stroke (from exposure)
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological damage)
• Death

The Legal Framework: Your Rights in Tennessee

Tennessee Hazing Laws

Tennessee has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students:

Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 — Hazing

“Hazing” means any intentional or reckless act in Tennessee on or off the property of any school, college, university, or other educational institution that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in, any organization or team whose members are students at such an institution.

Key Provisions:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and/or up to $2,500 fine).
• Enhanced Penalties: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a Class E felony (1-6 years in prison).
• Consent is Not a Defense: Even if the victim “agreed” to participate, it does not excuse the hazing.
• Institutional Liability: Schools and organizations can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing.

Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued in Bradley County

In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for injuries. Potential defendants include:

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. These outcomes are possible for Bradley County victims too.

1. Stone Foltz — Pi Kappa Alpha (Bowling Green State University, 2021)

• What Happened: Pledge forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university paid $2.9 million; fraternity paid $7.2 million).
• Why It Matters: Shows that universities and national fraternities both pay substantial amounts.

2. Maxwell Gruver — Phi Delta Theta (Louisiana State University, 2017)

• What Happened: Pledge forced to drink during “Bible Study” hazing; died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495).
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity.
• Why It Matters: Juries award millions in hazing cases. The Gruver case also led to the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

3. Timothy Piazza — Beta Theta Pi (Penn State University, 2017)

• What Happened: Pledge forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs multiple times; fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911.
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement (estimated).
• Why It Matters: Shows that strong evidence (security camera footage in this case) leads to massive settlements.

4. Andrew Coffey — Pi Kappa Phi (Florida State University, 2017)

• What Happened: Pledge forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon; died from alcohol poisoning.
• Outcome: Chapter permanently closed; multiple criminal convictions.
• Why It Matters: Same fraternity as our current case. Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after Coffey’s death. They did not. Now, Leonel Bermudez has been hospitalized.

Our Current Case: $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi and UH

Why This Case Matters to Bradley County Families

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston.

What happened to Leonel could happen to a student in Bradley County.

The same national fraternities operate at universities near Bradley County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at UTC, UT Knoxville, and other Tennessee schools.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Delta Delta Delta, and others also have active chapters in Tennessee.

The same negligence exists at Bradley County institutions:

• Universities near Bradley County have the same power to regulate Greek life as UH.
• They have the same duty to protect students from hazing.
• They have the same liability when they fail.

Key Details of the Bermudez Case

What This Means for Bradley County Victims

1. The same fraternities that hazed Leonel operate near Bradley County.
2. Universities near Bradley County face the same liability as UH.
3. $10 million is a realistic demand for serious hazing injuries.
4. We know how to build these cases and win.

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Bradley County

Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety and Medical Attention

• If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
• Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
• Document all injuries with photos and medical records.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Do not delete anything. Save:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots of all communications about hazing)
• Photos and videos (of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house)
• Medical records (hospital bills, doctor notes, test results)
• Witness information (names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses)
• Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Organization or University Alone

• Do not confront fraternity/sorority leaders without legal counsel. They may destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses.
• Do not give statements to university administrators without an attorney present. Their job is to protect the institution, not your child.
• Do not sign any documents from the organization or university.

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Tennessee, you generally have 1 year to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• Evidence disappears quickly. Texts are deleted, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records.
• The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

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

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

Damages You Can Recover in a Bradley County Hazing Case

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

1. Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or lost job opportunities)
• Educational costs (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries affect long-term career prospects)

2. Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering (the agony of rhabdomyolysis, beatings, etc.)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
• Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)

3. Punitive Damages

• Awarded when conduct is egregious, reckless, or intentional (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme physical abuse).
• Meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Bradley County Hazing Case

1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We are not just talking about hazing — we are fighting it in court right now.
• We know the tactics universities and fraternities use to avoid liability.
• We know how to counter their defenses.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena have worked for insurance companies and national defense firms.
• We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to deny claims.
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Bradley County

• We are based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Bradley County.
• We have federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York).
• We travel to Bradley County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• We offer video consultations for Bradley County families.

4. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

• We treat Bradley County families like family.
• We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on victims and their loved ones.
• We fight relentlessly for justice.

5. Proven Results

• Recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims.
• Former clients say:
  

  “They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz
  “They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person.” — Ambur Hamilton
  “The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning.” — Debra Cambric-Chisolm

Frequently Asked Questions for Bradley County Families

1. My child “consented” to hazing. Can we still sue?

Yes. Tennessee law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.

2. The fraternity says this was “just a prank.” Is it still illegal?

Yes. Hazing is defined by its dangerousness and intent, not by what the organization calls it. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and extreme physical abuse are not pranks — they are crimes.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Are they still liable?

Possibly. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life or other organizations, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

4. We’re worried about retaliation. Will the fraternity come after us?

We take retaliation concerns very seriously. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We can:

• File protective orders to prevent harassment.
• Keep your identity confidential when possible.
• Pursue additional claims if retaliation occurs.

5. How much is our case worth?

Every case is unique, but hazing cases with serious injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, psychological trauma) typically result in multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts.

Factors that increase case value:

• Severity of injuries (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, traumatic brain injury)
• Egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking, beatings)
• Pattern of hazing (prior incidents at the same chapter or university)
• Institutional knowledge (university or national organization knew about prior hazing)
• Attempts to cover up (destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses)

6. How long will the case take?

• Settlement: Some cases settle within 6-12 months.
• Litigation: Complex cases with multiple defendants may take 1-3 years.
• Wrongful death cases often take longer due to the severity of the harm.

7. What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?

It doesn’t matter. The national organization and university can still be held liable. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, the chapter was closed before the lawsuit was filed — but we are still pursuing the national organization and university.

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

Yes. Tennessee hazing law applies on or off campus. If hazing occurred at a private residence, the property owner (e.g., alumni, members) can also be held liable.

9. What if my child was not a student at the university yet?

You can still sue. In our current case, Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush” — not yet enrolled at UH. The fraternity hazed him anyway. Reckless disregard for safety extends liability.

10. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so we only get paid if you get paid.

The Message to Bradley County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Bradley County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Bradley County, we will find every liable entity.

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others:
If your chapter operates near Bradley County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after a student was waterboarded and hospitalized. Your chapter could be next.

To universities near Bradley County (UTC, Lee University, Southern Adventist, Cleveland State):
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

Take Action Today

Hazing is not tradition. It is not bonding. It is abuse. And it must stop.

If your child has been hazed in Bradley County, you have legal rights. You have the right to hold the perpetrators and institutions accountable. You have the right to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.

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

We serve Bradley County families with the same dedication we bring to our current $10 million hazing case. You are not alone. We will fight for you.

Bradley County Families: Enough Is Enough.

It’s time to end hazing in Tennessee.