🏆 Hazing Victims in Butte County: You Are Not Alone
Butte County families, college students, and parents: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Butte County, we can help.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “bonding.” It is abuse—and it is illegal. The same fraternities that have killed students at Penn State, LSU, and Florida State operate chapters at universities near Butte County. The same negligence that led to a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston exists right here in Northern California.
Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will fight just as hard for Butte County families.
🚨 What Is Hazing? Butte County Parents Need to Know
Hazing includes any activity that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Forced exercise until collapse, beatings with paddles, branding, waterboarding
✅ Forced consumption – Extreme alcohol binges, forced eating until vomiting, consumption of non-food substances
✅ Psychological abuse – Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats, isolation
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Dangerous activities – Blindfolded exercises, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces
If your child experienced any of these at a Butte County-area university, they may have a legal claim—even if they “agreed” to participate.
💔 Real Hazing Cases Near Butte County: This Could Happen Here
The University of Houston Case – $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)
Victim: Leonel Bermudez (a “ghost rush” – not even enrolled at UH yet)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
What Happened:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then lie in vomit-soaked grass
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Result: Our attorneys filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members. The chapter was shut down within days.
Why This Matters to Butte County:
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Butte County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at California universities too. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Butte County, they face the same risks.
The Penn State Case – $110 Million Settlement (2017)
Victim: Timothy Piazza
Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
What Happened:
- Forced to drink 18 alcoholic 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
Result: $110 million settlement, multiple criminal convictions, and the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania.
Why This Matters to Butte County:
This wasn’t just “a few drinks.” This was reckless endangerment—and it happens at universities near Butte County too. If your child is pressured to drink excessively, they could be in real danger.
The LSU Case – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (2017)
Victim: Maxwell Gruver
Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
What Happened:
- Forced to drink during a “Bible Study” pledge event
- Wrong answers = drink more
- Died with a BAC of 0.495 (6x the legal limit)
Result: $6.1 million jury verdict, criminal convictions, and the Max Gruver Act (making hazing a felony in Louisiana).
Why This Matters to Butte County:
Forced drinking games are not harmless fun. They can be deadly. If your child is required to drink as part of “pledging,” they are at risk.
⚖️ Your Child’s Legal Rights in Butte County
1. Criminal Charges May Apply
In California, hazing that causes great bodily injury is a misdemeanor (Penal Code § 245.6). If hazing results in death, it can be charged as involuntary manslaughter (Penal Code § 192).
Butte County families: If your child was seriously injured or killed due to hazing, criminal charges may be filed against the perpetrators.
2. Civil Lawsuits for Compensation
Even if criminal charges are filed, your family can still sue for financial compensation through a civil lawsuit. This includes:
| Type of Damage | What It Covers | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatments | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or school | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for extreme negligence (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking) | $1,000,000+ per defendant |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death, compensation for lost future earnings, funeral costs, loss of companionship | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
Butte County families: If your child was hazed, they may be entitled to millions in compensation—just like the victims in the cases above.
3. Who Can Be Sued?
Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, ignored prior incidents |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing despite knowing the risks |
| Chapter Officers | Leaders who directed hazing (president, pledgemaster) |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing events at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for the above defendants |
Butte County families: We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with deep pockets—universities, national fraternities, and their insurance companies.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Butte County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can cause kidney failure (like our UH client).
- Alcohol poisoning can be deadly (like Timothy Piazza and Maxwell Gruver).
- Head injuries from falls or beatings can lead to permanent brain damage.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional treatment.
Butte County hospitals & urgent care centers:
- Enloe Medical Center (Chico)
- Oroville Hospital
- Feather River Hospital (Paradise)
- Urgent Care clinics in Chico, Oroville, Paradise
Do not wait. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence
DO:
✔ Take photos/videos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns).
✔ Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
✔ Get witness names & contact info (other pledges, bystanders).
✔ Document everything (dates, times, locations, what was said/done).
✔ Keep medical records (ER reports, doctor’s notes, therapy records).
DO NOT:
❌ Delete anything (even if it’s embarrassing or incriminating).
❌ Talk to the fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers without your attorney.
❌ Post on social media about the incident (defense will use it against you).
❌ Sign anything from the organization (they may try to get you to waive your rights).
Step 3: Report the Incident
- File a police report (Butte County Sheriff’s Office or local police).
- File a Title IX complaint with the university (if applicable).
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority (they may try to cover it up).
Butte County law enforcement contacts:
- Chico Police Department: (530) 897-4911
- Oroville Police Department: (530) 538-2448
- Butte County Sheriff’s Office: (530) 538-7321
Butte County universities with Greek life:
- California State University, Chico (CSU Chico) – Multiple fraternities & sororities
- Butte College – Some Greek organizations
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
The statute of limitations in California is 2 years from the date of injury. Do not wait.
Why Attorney 911?
✅ We are fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit RIGHT NOW (University of Houston case).
✅ We have 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello).
✅ We are former insurance defense attorneys – we know how the other side thinks.
✅ We work on contingency – $0 upfront. You pay nothing unless we win.
✅ We travel to Butte County – We come to you for meetings, depositions, and trials.
✅ We speak Spanish – Se habla español.
Butte County families: You don’t have to fight this alone. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 Butte County Hazing Victims: Call Now – Free Consultation
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:
1-888-ATTY-911
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
We serve Butte County and all of Northern California. Distance is not a barrier.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Butte County Families
Q: “My child consented to hazing. Can we still sue?”
A: YES. California law (Penal Code § 245.6) explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, or university can still be held liable.
Q: “The fraternity says this was just ‘a few pranks.’ Is it really that serious?”
A: YES. Hazing is not harmless fun. It has caused:
- Death (Timothy Piazza, Maxwell Gruver, Andrew Coffey)
- Kidney failure (our UH client)
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe psychological trauma (PTSD, depression, suicide attempts)
If your child was hospitalized, forced to drink excessively, or subjected to extreme physical/psychological abuse, this is serious—and it’s illegal.
Q: “We’re worried about retaliation. What if the fraternity comes after us?”
A: We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear retribution, which is why we:
- Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
- File protective orders if necessary.
- Work with law enforcement to ensure your safety.
- Keep your identity confidential when possible.
Our UH client was too afraid to speak to the media due to fear of retribution. We understand this fear, and we will protect you.
Q: “How much is our case worth?”
A: Every case is different, but hazing cases often settle for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, beatings)
- Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
- Defendant’s ability to pay (universities and national fraternities have deep pockets)
Examples of hazing settlements/verdicts:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110 million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
Butte County families: If your child was seriously injured, your case could be worth millions.
Q: “We don’t live in Texas. Can you still help us?”
A: YES. While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Butte County and all of California. We:
- Offer free video consultations.
- Travel to Butte County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- Have federal court authority, allowing us to sue national fraternities anywhere in the U.S.
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines—and neither do we.
Q: “What if the fraternity tries to cover it up?”
A: We’ve seen this before. Fraternities and universities often:
- Destroy evidence (delete texts, photos, videos).
- Pressure witnesses to stay quiet.
- Claim it was “consensual” (even though the law says it’s not).
- Offer lowball settlements to make the case go away.
Our response?
- Immediate preservation letters demanding all evidence be saved.
- Aggressive discovery to uncover the truth.
- Media pressure to expose the cover-up.
- Criminal referrals if evidence is destroyed.
We don’t let them hide.
🎯 Butte County Universities: Greek Life Under the Microscope
California State University, Chico (CSU Chico)
Greek Life Presence:
- Fraternities: 15+ chapters (including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, others)
- Sororities: 10+ chapters
Why This Matters to Butte County Families:
- CSU Chico has a large Greek system, increasing hazing risks.
- The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon) have active chapters at CSU Chico.
- If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at CSU Chico, they face the same risks as victims in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana.
What We Know About CSU Chico Greek Life:
- 2021: CSU Chico suspended all Greek life due to “ongoing concerns” about hazing and alcohol abuse.
- 2023: Greek life was reinstated with new oversight policies.
- 2025: No major hazing lawsuits have been publicly reported, but that doesn’t mean hazing isn’t happening.
Butte County parents: If your child is pledging at CSU Chico, ask them what’s really happening behind closed doors. And if something goes wrong, call us immediately.
Butte College
Greek Life Presence:
- Smaller Greek system than CSU Chico, but some fraternities and sororities exist.
Why This Matters to Butte County Families:
- Even at smaller schools, hazing can be just as dangerous.
- Students at Butte College may also participate in CSU Chico Greek life, exposing them to the same risks.
🚨 Butte County Parents: Warning Signs of Hazing
Hazing is often hidden from parents. Watch for these red flags:
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs | Academic Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns | Sudden withdrawal from friends/family | Drop in grades |
| Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation | Increased anxiety or depression | Skipping classes |
| Weight loss or gain | Mood swings | Missing assignments |
| Difficulty walking or moving | Secrecy about activities | Sudden disinterest in school |
| Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion) | Fear of certain people/places | Requests for money without explanation |
If you notice any of these signs, ask your child directly—and contact us immediately.
🏛️ What Butte County Universities Should Be Doing (But Aren’t)
Universities near Butte County have a legal duty to protect students from hazing. Here’s what they should be doing—but often fail at:
✅ Mandatory hazing education for all Greek life members.
✅ Unannounced inspections of fraternity/sorority houses.
✅ Strict enforcement of anti-hazing policies.
✅ Immediate suspension of chapters with hazing allegations.
✅ Transparency with parents and the public about hazing incidents.
Instead, universities often:
❌ Cover up incidents to protect their reputation.
❌ Give slaps on the wrist to fraternities (e.g., “probation”).
❌ Ignore warning signs until someone gets seriously hurt.
❌ Blame the victim (“They consented to it”).
Butte County families: If a university near you failed to protect your child, they can be held legally accountable.
📢 Butte County: It’s Time to End Hazing
Hazing has been going on for decades. But it doesn’t have to continue.
Here’s how Butte County can fight back:
- If your child was hazed, call us. We’ll hold the perpetrators accountable.
- If you know about hazing, report it. You could save a life.
- If you’re a student, speak up. Hazing only continues because people stay silent.
- If you’re a parent, talk to your kids. Make sure they know hazing is not okay.
- If you’re an alum, demand change. Withhold donations until hazing stops.
Enough is enough. The fraternities, sororities, and universities near Butte County have had decades to fix this. They haven’t. Now, it’s time for legal accountability.
🔥 Butte County Families: We Are Your Legal Emergency Response Team
When a legal emergency hits—whether it’s on a Butte County highway, a Chico campus, or a fraternity house—we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.
For Butte County hazing victims, our team will:
✔ Build your case with expert witnesses (medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence).
✔ Preserve evidence immediately (texts, photos, medical records, witness statements).
✔ Negotiate from strength (we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case).
✔ Travel to Butte County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✔ Provide remote consultations for Butte County families who can’t travel.
Butte County families: You don’t have to suffer in silence. Call us today.
📞 Butte County Hazing Victims: Call Now – Free Consultation
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:
1-888-ATTY-911
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
We serve Butte County and all of Northern California. Distance is not a barrier.
🏆 Butte County Families: You Deserve Justice
To the fraternities and universities near Butte County:
We know who you are. We know what you’re doing. We know you’ve been getting away with it for years.
But not anymore.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every institution in Butte County that thinks they can torture our kids and walk away.
To the Butte County families who’ve been hurt:
You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now. And we will fight for you.
Call us. Today.
