🛡️ Hazing Victims in Carroll County, Tennessee: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Carroll County
Carroll 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 children to torture, abuse, and life-threatening danger.
But the reality is stark: hazing is happening at colleges and universities near Carroll County, Tennessee. The same fraternities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters in our region. The same universities that have been sued for failing to protect students are here in Tennessee.
And now, we are fighting back.
Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systematic abuse. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Tennessee. It could be happening to your child right now.
If your child has been hazed in Carroll County or at any college or university in Tennessee — whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or other student organization — you have legal rights. And we are here to fight for you.
📍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Tennessee)
Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “team bonding.” It’s not “character building.”
Under Tennessee law, hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.
This includes:
- Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, exposure to extreme weather
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or alcohol poisoning
- Psychological torture: Waterboarding, humiliation, threats, sleep deprivation
- Dangerous activities: Activities that create unreasonable risk of harm
Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 makes hazing a misdemeanor — and if it causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be a felony.
Most importantly: In Tennessee, consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that does not excuse the hazing.
💔 Real Hazing Incidents: This Is Happening Near Carroll County
You may think, “Hazing doesn’t happen here. Not in Carroll County.”
But it does.
And it’s not just fraternities. Hazing occurs in:
- Fraternities and sororities at colleges near Carroll County
- Sports teams — football, basketball, baseball, soccer
- Marching bands and music programs
- ROTC and military groups
- Honor societies and clubs
- Cheerleading squads
Recent examples from across America — and they could happen here:
- Waterboarding: A fraternity pledge was waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning — at a university in Texas. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. (This is the case we’re litigating right now.)
- Forced drinking: A student at LSU died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink during a fraternity event. His family won a $6.1 million jury verdict.
- Extreme exercise: A student at Penn State was forced to drink 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes, then fell down stairs. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died. The family received a confidential settlement estimated at over $110 million.
- Physical abuse: A student at Bowling Green State University was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. He died. His family received $10.1 million.
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a culture — and that culture exists at colleges near Carroll County.
🏛️ Who Is Liable? (Who Can You Sue in Carroll County?)
When hazing happens, many people and organizations are responsible. In our current case, we’re suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| The local fraternity/sorority chapter | They organized and conducted the hazing |
| The national organization | They failed to supervise; knew about hazing risks but did nothing |
| The university | They have a duty to protect students; often own or control the property where hazing occurs |
| Individual members | Every person who participated in or allowed hazing can be sued personally |
| Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | They directed the hazing; face personal liability |
| Alumni or hosts | If hazing occurred at their home, they may be liable for premises liability |
In Tennessee, universities and Greek organizations have a legal duty to protect students. When they fail — and a student is injured — they can be held financially responsible.
💰 What Compensation Can Carroll County Families Recover?
Hazing causes real harm — physical, emotional, and financial. Tennessee law allows victims to recover compensation for:
| Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future medical care |
| Lost wages | Time missed from work due to injuries |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain from injuries (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, broken bones) |
| Emotional distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution |
| Loss of enjoyment of life | Inability to participate in activities, social life, or college experience |
| Punitive damages | Additional money to punish the defendants for outrageous conduct (like waterboarding) |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
- $10.1 million (Bowling Green State University)
- $6.1 million (Louisiana State University)
- $110+ million (Penn State University)
These results are possible for Carroll County families too.
⚖️ Tennessee Hazing Laws: Know Your Rights
Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 — Hazing
What it says:
- Hazing is illegal in Tennessee.
- It’s a Class A misdemeanor — punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.
- If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be a felony.
Key provision:
“Consent of the victim is not a defense to prosecution.”
This means: Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that does not excuse the hazing.
Tennessee’s Anti-Hazing Policy for Schools
All public and private colleges in Tennessee must have an anti-hazing policy. They must:
- Educate students about hazing
- Report hazing incidents to authorities
- Impose disciplinary sanctions
If a school fails to do this — and a student is injured — the school can be held liable.
📋 What Should Carroll County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?
If you suspect or know that your child has been hazed, act immediately.
Step 1: Ensure Your Child’s Safety
- Remove them from the situation if they’re still in danger.
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if they say they’re “fine.” Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Do not delete anything. Save:
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, WhatsApp messages — anything about hazing
- Photos or videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the location where it happened
- Social media posts — screenshots of any posts about the incident
- Medical records — hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records
- Witness names and contact information — other pledges, bystanders, friends
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone
- The fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers will try to get a statement from you.
- Do not give a statement without an attorney present.
- Anything you say can be used against you.
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears quickly.
- Witnesses forget.
- Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911
🔥 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Carroll County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Fighting a Hazing Case RIGHT NOW
We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same fight to Carroll County.
2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know how they think. We know their tactics. And we know how to beat them.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to practice in U.S. District Court — meaning we can pursue hazing cases in federal court, which is often necessary when dealing with national fraternities and universities.
4. We Are Licensed in Texas AND New York
This is a strategic advantage for hazing cases. Many national fraternities are headquartered in New York. We can pursue them in their home state if needed.
5. We Will Travel to Carroll County
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide. We will travel to Carroll County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront
We understand that Carroll County families may be concerned about legal costs. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide full legal services in Spanish — no language barriers to justice.
8. We Have a Proven Track Record
- 4.9 stars on Google (250+ reviews)
- Millions recovered for personal injury victims
- Former insurance defense experience — we know how to maximize your recovery
- Aggressive, compassionate representation — we treat every client like family
🎓 What Colleges Near Carroll County Have Greek Life?
Carroll County is home to — and near — several colleges and universities with active Greek life. These include:
| Institution | Location | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin, TN | Yes — fraternities and sororities |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | Yes — active Greek system |
| Union University | Jackson, TN | Yes — fraternities and sororities |
| Bethel University | McKenzie, TN | Yes — Greek organizations |
| Lane College | Jackson, TN | Yes — historically Black Greek organizations |
| Jackson State Community College | Jackson, TN | Yes — Greek presence |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | Large Greek system |
| University of Tennessee at Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Very large Greek system |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | Large Greek presence |
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these schools. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma — they all operate near Carroll County.
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they are at risk.
📢 A Message to Carroll County Fraternities and Sororities
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Carroll County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near Carroll County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
We track your house corporations. We track your national organizations. We track your documented history of hazing deaths and settlements.
If you haze students in Carroll County, we will find every liable entity. We will pursue every insurance policy. We will hold every individual accountable.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? We shut them down. Their chapter is closed. Criminal referrals have been initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
Your chapter could be next.
🏫 A Message to Universities Near Carroll County
To the administrators at colleges and universities near Carroll County:
The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters.
You have the duty to protect your students.
When you fail — when a student is hazed, hospitalized, or killed — you will be held accountable.
We are currently suing the University of Houston for their role in a hazing incident that hospitalized a student with kidney failure. We will sue your institution if you fail to protect your students.
📞 Carroll County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Carroll County or at any college or university in Tennessee, call us immediately.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations
- $0 upfront cost — we work on contingency
- Video consultations for Carroll County families
- Travel to Carroll County for client meetings and depositions
- Aggressive, experienced representation
The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Call us now.
🔚 Enough Is Enough, Carroll County
For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “boys being boys” or “just tradition.”
It’s not tradition. It’s torture.
It’s not bonding. It’s battery.
It’s not character building. It’s criminal.
It stops now.
If your child has been hazed, you don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept their excuses. You don’t have to let them get away with it.
You have rights. You have power. And you have Attorney 911.
Call us. Fight back. Hold them accountable.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
We are Attorney 911. We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. And we are fighting for Carroll County’s hazing victims.