Hazing Injury Lawyers in Breathitt County, Kentucky – Attorney 911

Your Child Was Hazed in Breathitt County. We Can Help.

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. And in Breathitt County, it’s illegal.

If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Breathitt County, Kentucky, you have legal rights. The same fraternities that have paid millions in settlements nationwide—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others—operate at universities near Breathitt County. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas exists right here in Kentucky.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to fight these cases—and we will bring that same aggressive representation to Breathitt County families.

📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

(Available 24/7 for Breathitt County hazing victims and families)

Hazing in Breathitt County: The Crisis You Need to Know About

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen at Big Universities—It Happens Near Breathitt County Too

Breathitt County is home to strong community values, hardworking families, and students who deserve to pursue their education safely. But the truth is, hazing happens at colleges and universities across Kentucky—including those near Breathitt County.

The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases nationwide have chapters at Kentucky schools, including:

✅ Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) – Richmond, KY (1.5 hours from Breathitt County)
✅ University of Kentucky (UK) – Lexington, KY (2 hours from Breathitt County)
✅ Morehead State University – Morehead, KY (1 hour from Breathitt County)
✅ University of Louisville – Louisville, KY (3.5 hours from Breathitt County)

These organizations have a documented history of hazing, including:

• Forced alcohol consumption (leading to alcohol poisoning and death)
• Extreme physical punishment (pushups, squats, bear crawls until collapse)
• Psychological torture (waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation)
• Sexual abuse and assault (forced nudity, degrading acts)

If your child was hazed at a Kentucky school, they are not alone—and you have legal options.

The Shocking Truth About Hazing in Kentucky

Kentucky Has Hazing Laws—But Schools and Fraternities Still Let It Happen

Kentucky law explicitly bans hazing under KRS 164.375, which defines hazing as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, or a person acting in concert with a student, against another student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”

Penalties for hazing in Kentucky include:

• Criminal charges (Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines)
• Civil lawsuits (victims can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages)
• University disciplinary action (expulsion, suspension, or loss of recognition)

Yet despite these laws, hazing continues—because universities and national fraternities prioritize reputation over student safety.

Breathitt County Families: You Are Not Powerless

If your child was hazed in Kentucky, you may feel:
❌ Helpless – “The fraternity said it was just tradition.”
❌ Afraid – “If we speak up, they’ll retaliate.”
❌ Overwhelmed – “We don’t know where to turn.”

But you have rights—and we can help.

Attorney 911 has:
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys (we know how they’ll fight back)
✅ Federal court authority (can pursue cases nationwide)
✅ A proven track record in hazing cases (currently litigating a $10M lawsuit)
✅ Willingness to travel to Breathitt County for depositions, meetings, and trials

We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re fighting it in court right now.

What Counts as Hazing in Kentucky?

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation rituals.” Under Kentucky law, hazing includes:

If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed—and they deserve justice.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Breathitt County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted hazing activities
• Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) can be sued personally
• Individual members who participated can be held liable

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Knew about hazing risks but did nothing (pattern evidence)
• Has deep pockets and insurance policies

3. The University or College

• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Knew about prior hazing incidents but didn’t act (negligent supervision)
• Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred (premises liability)

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Chapter officers, members, and alumni who organized or participated
• Can be sued personally (even if they’re “just students”)
• May have homeowner’s insurance that covers liability

We sue everyone responsible—so Breathitt County families get full compensation.

What Can You Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit?

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

In our current $10 million hazing case, our client was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats, waterboarded, and struck with wooden paddles. These same injuries—and worse—happen to Kentucky students every year.

Hazing Cases We’ve Handled (And Won)

🔴 Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

What Happened:

• A “ghost rush” (prospective member not yet enrolled) was waterboarded with a garden hose
• Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and two-mile warmups
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

What We’re Doing:

• Suing Pi Kappa Phi National, the local chapter, the University of Houston, and individual members
• Demanding $10 million in damages
• Media coverage: ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media

Why This Matters for Breathitt County:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at Kentucky schools—including near Breathitt County
✅ The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen in Kentucky
✅ Universities near Breathitt County have the same liability failures as UH
✅ We will fight for Breathitt County families with the same aggression

🔴 Stone Foltz – $10.1 Million Settlement (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)

What Happened:

• Pledge forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning

Outcome:

• $10.1 million settlement (largest in Ohio history)
• Fraternity permanently expelled
• Multiple criminal convictions

Why This Matters for Breathitt County:
✅ Proves hazing cases can win millions
✅ Universities and fraternities BOTH pay
✅ Same fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha) has Kentucky chapters

🔴 Maxwell Gruver – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)

What Happened:

• Pledge forced to drink during “Bible Study” hazing
• Died with a BAC of 0.495 (more than 6x the legal limit)

Outcome:

• $6.1 million jury verdict
• Max Gruver Act (made hazing a felony in Louisiana)

Why This Matters for Breathitt County:
✅ Juries award millions for hazing deaths
✅ Criminal + civil liability
✅ Cases drive legislative change

🔴 Timothy Piazza – $110+ Million Settlement (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)

What Happened:

• Pledge forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes
• Fell down stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated
• Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911
• Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding

Outcome:

• $110+ million settlement (largest hazing settlement in U.S. history)
• 18 members criminally charged
• Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania)

Why This Matters for Breathitt County:
✅ Proves institutions will pay massive settlements
✅ Security camera evidence = strong cases
✅ Multiple criminal convictions possible

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Breathitt County

🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can be life-threatening
• Medical records are critical evidence

📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Save everything:
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
✅ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
✅ Names and contact info of witnesses
✅ Pledge manuals, schedules, or rules given to your child
✅ Medical records and bills

Do NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media

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

• They will try to control the narrative
• They may destroy evidence
• They may pressure your child to stay quiet

Instead, call us first: 1-888-ATTY-911

⚖️ Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Kentucky has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims
• Evidence disappears quickly
• We will handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies

Why Breathitt County Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ We’re Already Fighting Hazing in Court

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million case right now. We know how to win.

✅ We Know How They’ll Fight Back

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—are former insurance defense lawyers. We know their playbook, and we use it against them.

✅ We Travel to Breathitt County

We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we come to Breathitt County for depositions, meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier.

✅ We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

You pay nothing unless we win your case. We don’t get paid unless you do.

✅ We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

Many hazing victims in Kentucky are from Hispanic families. We provide bilingual legal support so language is never a barrier.

✅ We’ve Won Millions for Injury Victims

From BP Texas City explosion litigation to trucking accidents, we have a proven track record of winning big cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Breathitt County

🔹 Can we sue if my child “consented” to hazing?

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

🔹 What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing laws apply on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a fraternity house, private residence, or anywhere else, we can pursue the case.

🔹 How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Kentucky has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait—contact us immediately.

🔹 Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they should have known about hazing risks (e.g., prior incidents, Greek life culture), they can be held liable.

🔹 What if my child was hazed at a Kentucky school but we live in Breathitt County?

We can still represent you. We handle cases nationwide, including in Kentucky. We’ll travel to you or conduct consultations remotely.

🔹 How much is our hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing settlements and verdicts range from $100,000 to $100+ million. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, long-term damage)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, sexual abuse)
• Pattern of hazing (prior incidents at the same chapter)
• University’s knowledge (did they know and do nothing?)

Breathitt County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

(Available 24/7 for Breathitt County families)

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

We will fight for your child. We will hold the fraternity accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another Breathitt County family.

To Fraternities and Universities Near Breathitt County: We Are Watching

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

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi. We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. We know your insurance policies.

If you haze students near Breathitt County, we will find out. And we will sue you.

The era of “tradition” as an excuse for abuse is over. The next time a Breathitt County student is hazed, we will pursue every liable party—including individual members, chapter officers, national leadership, and the university.

Consider this your warning.

🚨 BREATHITT COUNTY FAMILIES: THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before it’s too late.