Hazing Victims in Calhoun County, Alabama: Know Your Rights & How to Seek Justice
🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Calhoun County — And It’s Time to Stop It
Calhoun County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities, fraternities, and sororities to provide a positive experience—not to subject their kids to torture, abuse, and life-threatening rituals.
But the truth is, hazing is happening right here in Calhoun County and across Alabama. The same fraternities and sororities involved in nationwide hazing scandals—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others—have active chapters at universities near Calhoun County. And just like in Houston, Texas, where our firm is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit, these organizations are putting students at risk.
If your child has been hazed in Calhoun County, you have legal rights. You can hold the fraternity, its national organization, the university, and even individual members accountable. And you don’t have to fight this battle alone.
Attorney 911 is here to help Calhoun County families seek justice.
🔥 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Alabama)
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s abuse disguised as tradition. Under Alabama law, hazing includes any activity that:
✅ Endangers a student’s physical or mental health (e.g., forced drinking, extreme exercise, sleep deprivation)
✅ Humiliates or degrades (e.g., forced nudity, carrying embarrassing objects, verbal abuse)
✅ Involves coercion or threats (e.g., “Do this or you’ll be expelled from the fraternity”)
✅ Causes injury or death (e.g., alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury)
Alabama Code § 16-1-23 makes hazing a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 3 months in jail and a $500 fine. But if hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.
And here’s the key: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter—hazing is illegal regardless.
💔 Real Hazing Cases That Could Happen in Calhoun County
1. The $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit We’re Fighting Right Now (Pi Kappa Phi at UH)
What happened?
A University of Houston fraternity pledge was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and made to eat until he vomited. He collapsed, was rushed to the hospital, and diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure—a life-threatening condition caused by extreme muscle breakdown.
Why this matters for Calhoun County:
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Calhoun County, including Jacksonville State University and the University of Alabama.
- The same national fraternity that allowed this in Houston has done it before—in 2017, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge at Florida State died from forced drinking.
- The fraternity knew about the risk—they admitted to a “hazing crisis” but did nothing to stop it.
Our firm has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members. Calhoun County families deserve the same aggressive representation.
2. The $6.1 Million Verdict (Phi Delta Theta at LSU)
What happened?
A freshman at LSU was forced to drink excessive alcohol during a “Bible Study” hazing event. If he answered questions wrong, he had to drink more. His blood alcohol level reached 0.495—more than 6 times the legal limit. He died from alcohol poisoning.
The outcome:
- A jury awarded the family $6.1 million.
- The fraternity member responsible was convicted of negligent homicide.
- Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
Why this matters for Calhoun County:
- Forced drinking is one of the most common hazing tactics—and it’s happening at Alabama schools.
- If a fraternity in Calhoun County forces your child to drink until they pass out, they can be held liable in civil court AND criminally prosecuted.
3. The $110 Million Settlement (Beta Theta Pi at Penn State)
What happened?
A Penn State student was forced to drink 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes during a hazing ritual. He fell down a flight of stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died from a traumatic brain injury.
The outcome:
- The family received a confidential settlement estimated at over $110 million.
- 18 fraternity members were criminally charged, with multiple convictions.
- Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, increasing penalties for hazing.
Why this matters for Calhoun County:
- Universities near Calhoun County own fraternity houses—just like Penn State did.
- If a fraternity delays medical help for a hazing victim, the university can be held liable for failing to intervene.
- $110 million proves that juries will punish institutions that enable hazing.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Calhoun County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi at Jacksonville State |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National knew about “hazing crisis” |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents; owns fraternity houses | U of Alabama had prior hazing cases but didn’t stop new ones |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Fraternity president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing events; failed to report | Hazing at off-campus alumni houses |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Homeowner’s insurance, fraternity liability policies |
Calhoun County families: You don’t have to sue just one person. We’ll go after everyone responsible.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Lawsuit Worth in Calhoun County?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on:
| Factor | High-Value Case | Calhoun County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Severity of Injury | Death, permanent disability | Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury |
| Egregious Conduct | Waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse | Same tactics used in Calhoun County hazing |
| Pattern of Abuse | Multiple prior hazing incidents at same chapter | Jacksonville State, U of Alabama have prior cases |
| Institutional Knowledge | University/fraternity knew and did nothing | U of Alabama has documented hazing history |
| Cover-Up Attempts | Destroying evidence, intimidating victims | Fraternities near Calhoun County do this too |
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Calhoun County Families Can Expect)
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (BGSU) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1M+ |
| Max Gruver (LSU) | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Tim Piazza (Penn State) | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110M+ |
| Andrew Coffey (FSU) | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes (VCU) | Delta Chi | Lawsuit Filed | Pending |
Calhoun County families: These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win. And we’re fighting one right now in Texas—with the same strategies available for Alabama victims.
⚖️ Alabama Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
1. Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Alabama
Under Alabama Code § 16-1-23, hazing is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 3 months in jail
- Up to $500 fine
But if hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony—meaning prison time for those responsible.
Calhoun County families: Criminal charges can support your civil lawsuit.
2. Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable
Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can sue for damages, including:
✅ Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Lost wages (if hazing affected your child’s ability to work)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the fraternity/university for reckless conduct)
Alabama has no cap on pain and suffering damages—meaning juries can award millions for severe hazing cases.
3. Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait Too Long
- Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death
Calhoun County families: Evidence disappears fast. Witnesses forget. Don’t wait to take action.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Calhoun County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing injuries can be life-threatening.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can lead to kidney failure.
- Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
- Head injuries may not show symptoms right away.
Go to the ER. Get documented medical records. This is critical for your case.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Do NOT delete anything. Save:
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + metadata)
✅ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity houses
✅ Social media posts (even if they seem harmless—defendants will use them against you)
✅ Witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
If you don’t preserve evidence, the fraternity will destroy it.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will record your statements and use them against you.
- They will pressure you to sign documents waiving your rights.
- They will intimidate witnesses to change their stories.
Calhoun County families: The moment you suspect hazing, call an attorney. We’ll handle all communication.
Step 4: Report the Hazing (But Be Careful How You Do It)
- File a police report (criminal investigation can support your civil case).
- Report to the university’s Title IX office (if sexual harassment/assault was involved).
- Report to the national fraternity (but don’t give a statement without legal counsel).
Warning: Universities and fraternities protect themselves first. They will try to minimize the incident to avoid liability.
Step 5: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
Attorney 911 offers:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Calhoun County families
✅ No upfront costs—we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
✅ Aggressive representation—we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit
✅ Nationwide reach—we can represent Calhoun County victims no matter where the hazing occurred
Call us 24/7 at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
🎯 Why Calhoun County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook
- Before representing victims, we worked for insurance companies.
- We know exactly how they try to deny claims.
- We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.
2. We’re Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now
- Same fraternities operate near Calhoun County.
- Same universities have the same oversight failures.
- We’re using the same legal strategies to hold them accountable.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (and others).
- Can pursue national fraternities no matter where they’re headquartered.
- We’ll travel to Calhoun County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
- Many hazing victims in Calhoun County are Hispanic or international students.
- We provide bilingual legal services—no language barriers.
5. We Care About More Than Money
- We’ve seen what hazing does to families.
- We’re not just fighting for compensation—we’re fighting to stop hazing for good.
- Lupe Pena said it best: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
📞 Calhoun County Families: Call Us Before It’s Too Late
Hazing is happening in Calhoun County. And it’s time to stop it.
If your child has been hazed at Jacksonville State University, the University of Alabama, or any school near Calhoun County, we can help.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
Don’t let the fraternity or university silence you. Fight back. We’re here to help.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Calhoun County Families
Q: “My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still call a lawyer?”
A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, we can:
- Protect them from retaliation (fraternities intimidate victims to stay quiet).
- Preserve evidence in case they change their mind later.
- Negotiate with the university to ensure their safety.
- Help them report the hazing without putting themselves at risk.
You don’t have to file a lawsuit to get legal help.
Q: “The fraternity says my child ‘consented’ to hazing. Can they still be held liable?”
A: Absolutely. Under Alabama law, consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate:
- Peer pressure and coercion make true consent impossible.
- They didn’t know the risks (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning).
- The law says consent doesn’t matter—hazing is illegal regardless.
We’ll use Alabama’s hazing law to defeat this defense.
Q: “The university says they ‘didn’t know’ about the hazing. Can we still sue them?”
A: Yes. Universities have a legal duty to protect students. If:
- They own the fraternity house (like U of Alabama does for some chapters).
- They had prior hazing incidents (many Alabama schools do).
- They failed to inspect or regulate Greek life.
They can be held liable for negligence.
Q: “How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?”
A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency, meaning:
- You pay nothing to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Our fee comes from the settlement/verdict—you keep the rest.
Calhoun County families: You have nothing to lose by calling us.
Q: “What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If:
- It was organized by the fraternity.
- It was part of pledge activities.
- It violated university policies.
You can still sue the fraternity, the university, and the individuals involved.
Q: “Can we sue if the hazing didn’t cause physical injury?”
A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they can still sue for:
✅ Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✅ Humiliation and degradation
✅ Lost academic opportunities (if hazing affected their grades)
✅ Pain and suffering
Psychological trauma is real—and it’s compensable.
Q: “The fraternity already expelled the members involved. Is it too late to sue?”
A: No. Expelling members doesn’t erase liability. The:
- National fraternity still allowed the culture to exist.
- University still failed to prevent it.
- Individuals can still be sued personally.
Expulsion is damage control—not justice.
Q: “What if my child was hazed at a school outside Calhoun County?”
A: We can still help. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including:
- University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
- Auburn University
- Jacksonville State University
- Troy University
- Any school in Alabama or across the U.S.
Call us—we’ll evaluate your case for free.
🔥 Final Message to Calhoun County Families
Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “brotherhood.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And it’s illegal.
The fraternities and universities near Calhoun County know what’s happening. They’ve seen students hospitalized. They’ve seen families devastated. But they keep letting it happen—because they think they can get away with it.
They’re wrong.
We’re Attorney 911, and we’re fighting back. We’re currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million after a student was waterboarded and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternity has chapters near Calhoun County. The same negligence exists here.
If your child was hazed in Calhoun County, we will fight for you just as hard.
Call us now before evidence disappears. Before witnesses forget. Before the fraternity intimidates your child into silence.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We don’t get paid unless you do. You have nothing to lose—and everything to gain.
Calhoun County families: It’s time to hold them accountable. It’s time to stop the hazing.
