Hazing Victims in Brunswick County: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

This Happens in Brunswick County Too — And We Can Help

Brunswick County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They trust Greek organizations to uphold values of brotherhood and sisterhood.

But all too often, that trust is betrayed.

The recent $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston proves what we’ve known for years: hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s systematic abuse. It’s torture. And it happens right here in North Carolina — at Brunswick County institutions and universities across the state.

Our firm is currently representing a hazing victim who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and hospitalized for four days. This didn’t happen in some distant state. It happened in the South. It could happen in Brunswick County. And we’re fighting back with everything we have.

If your child has been hazed in Brunswick County or at any university near our community, you are not alone. You have legal rights. And we can help you fight for justice.

What Brunswick County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Isn’t Just a “College Problem” — It’s a Brunswick County Problem

Brunswick County is home to dedicated students who travel to universities across North Carolina and beyond to pursue their education. Many of these institutions have active Greek life communities, including:

• University of North Carolina Wilmington (just up the coast from Brunswick County)
• North Carolina State University (Raleigh)
• East Carolina University (Greenville)
• Coastal Carolina University (South Carolina, popular with Brunswick County students)

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — have active chapters at universities near Brunswick County.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at a Brunswick County-area university, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

2. Hazing Can Cause Permanent Damage — Physically and Mentally

Hazing isn’t just embarrassing or uncomfortable. It can cause serious, life-altering injuries, including:

Our client in Houston was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do extreme physical exercises. This same medical condition has been documented in hazing cases across the country — including at universities near Brunswick County.

3. Universities Near Brunswick County Have a Duty to Protect Your Child

Under North Carolina law and federal Title IX regulations, universities have a legal obligation to protect students from hazing and other forms of abuse. This includes:

• Monitoring Greek life activities
• Investigating reports of hazing
• Implementing effective anti-hazing policies
• Taking disciplinary action against organizations that violate policies
• Providing a safe environment for all students

Too often, universities near Brunswick County fail in this duty. They may ignore reports of hazing, fail to conduct proper investigations, or impose only minor penalties that don’t deter future abuse.

When universities fail to act, they become legally responsible for the harm that occurs. Our firm holds institutions accountable when they prioritize reputation over student safety.

4. Consent Is NOT a Defense in North Carolina

Some fraternities and sororities try to argue that hazing victims “consented” to the activities. This is not true — and it’s not a valid legal defense in North Carolina.

North Carolina General Statute § 14-35 makes hazing a criminal offense, and courts have consistently ruled that consent does not excuse illegal conduct. Even if a student agrees to participate in hazing activities, the organization and individuals involved can still be held legally responsible.

This means Brunswick County families can pursue legal action even if their child initially participated in hazing activities.

5. You Have a Limited Time to Act — Don’t Wait

North Carolina has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which typically gives victims three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly, and waiting too long can weaken your case.

If your child has been hazed in Brunswick County or at any university near our community:

✅ Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, videos, medical records)
✅ Do NOT speak to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel
✅ Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Brunswick County?

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

1. The Local Chapter

• The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledge master, risk manager) who directed the activities
• Individual members who participated in or facilitated the hazing

2. The National Organization

• National fraternities and sororities that fail to supervise their local chapters
• Organizations that have a documented history of hazing but fail to implement effective safeguards
• Nationals that ignore reports of hazing or fail to enforce their own anti-hazing policies

Example: Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Brunswick County. Our client was hospitalized after hazing by a Pi Kappa Phi chapter. The national organization had eight years to fix their culture after another Pi Kappa Phi chapter caused a student’s death — but they did nothing. This pattern of negligence makes them legally responsible.

3. The University

• Universities that own or control fraternity/sorority houses where hazing occurs
• Institutions that fail to monitor Greek life activities
• Schools that ignore reports of hazing or fail to take meaningful disciplinary action

Example: In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity — but they did nothing to prevent it from happening again. This institutional failure makes them legally responsible.

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Members who directly participated in hazing activities
• Members who witnessed hazing and failed to stop it
• Members who failed to call for medical help when a victim was in distress

Example: In the recent Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was held personally liable for $6.5 million. Individual perpetrators can be sued personally, and their assets (including future earnings) can be used to compensate victims.

5. Insurance Companies

• Homeowner’s insurance policies (for off-campus hazing locations)
• Fraternity/sorority liability insurance
• University liability insurance

Our firm has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We know how to maximize your recovery by pursuing all available insurance policies.

What Brunswick County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
• Educational disruption (tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries affect long-term career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain and suffering (from injuries sustained during hazing)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation)
• Humiliation and shame (from degrading hazing activities)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Disfigurement (permanent scars or injuries)

Punitive Damages (To Punish Egregious Conduct)

In cases of extreme or intentional misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future abuse. These damages can be substantial and are designed to send a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated.

Example: In the Max Gruver case, a jury awarded $6.1 million in damages, including punitive damages, to punish the fraternity for its reckless conduct.

The Hazing Crisis in America — And How It Affects Brunswick County

Hazing is not a new problem, but recent high-profile cases have exposed just how systemic and dangerous it has become. Consider these alarming statistics:

• 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report being hazed
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death per year in the United States
• 95% of hazing victims do not report the abuse
• Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations

This is not just a problem in other states. It’s happening at universities near Brunswick County — and it could be happening to your child.

Recent Hazing Cases That Prove Brunswick County Families Can Win

1. Stone Foltz — $10.1 Million Settlement

• Victim: Stone Foltz, 20, Bowling Green State University
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” initiation event; died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity); multiple criminal convictions

Why It Matters for Brunswick County: This case proves that juries and courts will award substantial damages for hazing deaths and injuries. The same legal strategies that won $10.1 million for the Foltz family can be used for Brunswick County victims.

2. Max Gruver — $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

• Victim: Max Gruver, 18, Louisiana State University
• Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
• What Happened: Forced to drink excessive alcohol during a “Bible Study” pledge event; died from acute alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495 — more than 6x the legal limit)
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; Max Gruver Act passed in Louisiana (made hazing a felony)

Why It Matters for Brunswick County: This case shows that juries are outraged by hazing and will award significant damages to punish wrongdoers. It also demonstrates that hazing cases can drive legislative change — something we can pursue in North Carolina.

3. Timothy Piazza — $110+ Million Settlement

• Victim: Timothy Piazza, 19, Penn State University
• Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
• What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down basement stairs multiple times; fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911; died from traumatic brain injury
• Outcome: Confidential settlement estimated at $110+ million; Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law passed in Pennsylvania

Why It Matters for Brunswick County: This case proves that when evidence is strong (security cameras captured everything), settlements can reach nine figures. It also shows that universities and fraternities will pay massive amounts to avoid public trials that expose their failures.

4. Andrew Coffey — Same Fraternity as Our Current Case

• Victim: Andrew Coffey, 20, Florida State University
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (same as our current case)
• What Happened: Forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon during “Big Brother Night”; died from acute alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: Chapter permanently closed; multiple criminal charges; confidential settlement

Why It Matters for Brunswick County: This case proves that Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of deadly hazing. They had eight years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey’s death — but they did nothing. This pattern of negligence makes them legally responsible for our client’s injuries — and for any hazing that occurs at their chapters near Brunswick County.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Brunswick County

If your child has been hazed at a Brunswick County-area university or any institution near our community, follow these steps immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor immediately.
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning) may not show symptoms right away.
• Medical records are critical evidence in hazing cases.

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, social media posts)
• Document everything your child tells you about what happened
• Get names and contact information of any witnesses
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating

3. Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without Legal Counsel

• The organization will try to control the narrative and minimize their liability.
• They may ask your child to sign documents that waive their legal rights.
• They may destroy evidence if they think a lawsuit is coming.
• Anything your child says to them can be used against them in court.

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Hazing cases are complex and require specialized legal expertise.
• Evidence disappears quickly — the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
• Insurance companies will try to lowball you — an attorney ensures you get fair compensation.
• Some universities and fraternities will only take your claim seriously if you have legal representation.

5. Report the Hazing to Authorities

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in North Carolina.
• File a Title IX complaint with the university — this triggers an investigation.
• Report to the national organization — this creates a paper trail of their knowledge.

6. Seek Support for Your Child

• Therapy or counseling — hazing can cause long-term psychological trauma.
• Academic support — your child may need accommodations if their grades suffer.
• Medical follow-up — some injuries require ongoing treatment.

Why Brunswick County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one. Our attorneys are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to win these cases because we’re in the fight right now.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how insurance companies and institutional defendants try to minimize or deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Brunswick County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Brunswick County and all of North Carolina. We have:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Willingness to travel to Brunswick County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote consultation technology for Brunswick County families who can’t travel

Distance is not a barrier to justice. If your child was hazed in Brunswick County or at any university near our community, we can help.

4. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

Our firm has a track record of winning multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex cases, including:

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort case with 15 deaths and 180+ injuries)
• Wrongful death cases (holding institutions accountable for preventable deaths)
• Catastrophic injury cases (including rhabdomyolysis and traumatic brain injury)
• Criminal defense cases (including high-profile dismissals)

We have the experience and resources to take on universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies — and win.

5. Compassionate, Personalized Representation

We understand that hazing cases are emotionally devastating for families. We treat our clients with compassion, respect, and dignity. We take the time to listen to your story and tailor our legal strategy to your family’s needs.

Brunswick County families are not just cases to us. They’re people we care about deeply.

6. No Upfront Costs — We Work on Contingency

We know that the cost of hiring an attorney can be a barrier for Brunswick County families. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

What Sets Us Apart for Brunswick County Hazing Victims

1. We Understand Greek Life Culture

Our attorneys have firsthand experience with Greek life dynamics, including:

• The power structures within fraternities and sororities
• The psychological pressure pledges face
• The “traditions” that enable hazing
• The institutional failures that allow abuse to continue

This deep understanding allows us to build stronger cases and anticipate defense strategies.

2. We Know How to Prove Institutional Negligence

Hazing cases aren’t just about the individual perpetrators. They’re about the institutions that enable the abuse. We know how to prove:

• Pattern evidence (prior hazing incidents at the same chapter or university)
• Failure to supervise (national organizations that ignore reports of hazing)
• Premises liability (universities that own fraternity houses where hazing occurs)
• Deliberate indifference (institutions that know about hazing but fail to act)

3. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial

Many personal injury firms avoid trials and pressure clients to accept low settlements. We’re not one of them.

We have extensive trial experience and are prepared to take your case to court if that’s what it takes to get you justice. Insurance companies and institutional defendants take us seriously because they know we won’t back down.

4. We Fight for Systemic Change

We don’t just settle cases. We fight for change. Our current hazing lawsuit has already:

• Forced Pi Kappa Phi to close their UH chapter
• Generated national media coverage exposing the fraternity’s culture
• Put other fraternities and universities on notice

We work with legislators to strengthen anti-hazing laws and ensure that what happened to your child never happens to another Brunswick County family.

Brunswick County Hazing Victims: Your Next Steps

If your child has been hazed in Brunswick County or at any university near our community, time is of the essence. Evidence disappears quickly, and North Carolina’s statute of limitations means you have a limited time to act.

1. Call Us Immediately for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for hazing emergencies)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

2. What to Expect During Your Consultation

• We’ll listen to your story and answer your questions.
• We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
• We’ll explain the process so you know what to expect.
• We’ll never pressure you — the decision to move forward is yours.

3. If You Hire Us, Here’s What We’ll Do

✅ Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, videos, medical records)
✅ Investigate the incident (interview witnesses, gather documents)
✅ Identify all liable parties (fraternity, university, individuals)
✅ Calculate your damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future losses)
✅ File your lawsuit (within North Carolina’s statute of limitations)
✅ Negotiate with defendants (push for a fair settlement)
✅ Take your case to trial (if necessary to get you justice)

We handle everything so you can focus on your child’s recovery.

Brunswick County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing can make victims and their families feel isolated, ashamed, and powerless. But you are not alone.

Our firm is fighting this battle every day. We’ve seen what fraternities and universities do to our children. We’ve seen the physical injuries, the psychological trauma, and the institutional cover-ups. And we’re holding them accountable.

If your child has been hazed in Brunswick County or at any university near our community, we can help. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Brunswick County families deserve justice. Let us fight for you.