🏛️ Hazing Lawyers in Chatham County, Georgia – Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Serving Chatham County, Savannah, Pooler, Garden City, and surrounding areas in Coastal Georgia

🚨 HAZING IS HAPPENING IN CHATHAM COUNTY – AND IT’S TIME TO STOP IT

Chatham County parents send their children to college with high hopes – for education, for opportunity, for new friendships. What they don’t expect is for their child to be tortured, humiliated, or hospitalized in the name of “tradition.”

But that’s exactly what’s happening in Greek organizations across Georgia – including right here in Chatham County.

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s not “harmless fun.” It’s not “building character.”

It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s reckless endangerment. And in too many cases, it’s manslaughter or murder.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now – and we’re bringing that fight to Chatham County. We’re currently representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles at a Texas fraternity. The same fraternities operate at universities near Chatham County. The same negligence exists at Chatham County institutions.

If your child has been hazed in Chatham County, we will fight for you with the same fury we’re bringing to this case.

📍 HAZING IN CHATHAM COUNTY: WHAT LOCAL FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW

🏫 Universities Near Chatham County with Greek Life

Chatham County is home to major educational institutions where Greek life thrives, including:

• Savannah State University – One of Georgia’s oldest HBCUs, with active fraternities and sororities
• Armstrong State University (now part of Georgia Southern) – Strong Greek presence
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Growing Greek community
• Georgia Southern University (Statesboro campus, ~50 miles away) – One of the largest Greek systems in Georgia
• College of Coastal Georgia (Brunswick, ~70 miles away) – Emerging Greek organizations

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

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Coastal Georgia, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

🔥 What Hazing Looks Like in Chatham County

Hazing in Chatham County Greek organizations isn’t limited to “harmless” pranks. Based on documented cases nationwide – and what we’re seeing in our current litigation – hazing near Chatham County may include:

This isn’t just happening at “party schools.” It’s happening at HBCUs, private colleges, and public universities – including right here in Coastal Georgia.

🏥 The Medical Consequences of Hazing in Chatham County

Hazing doesn’t just cause temporary discomfort. It causes permanent, life-threatening injuries – and sometimes death.

Documented medical consequences of hazing include:

In 2025 alone, hazing has already hospitalized students in Texas, Florida, and other states. It’s only a matter of time before it happens in Chatham County.

💔 Why Chatham County Families Are at Risk

1. The Same Fraternities Operate Near Chatham County

   • Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, and others have chapters at Georgia universities near Chatham County.
   • These same organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
   • They haven’t changed their culture – and Chatham County students are at risk.

2. Universities Near Chatham County Have Failed to Stop Hazing

   • Georgia universities have a documented history of hazing incidents.
   • Despite prior hospitalizations and lawsuits, institutions have failed to implement effective oversight.
   • Chatham County universities have the same negligence – and the same liability.

3. Hazing is Often Hidden Until It’s Too Late

   • 95% of hazing victims do not report it due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization.
   • Many students don’t recognize it as hazing until they’re already in danger.
   • By the time parents find out, their child may already be hospitalized – or worse.

4. Chatham County Parents Don’t Know Their Legal Rights

   • Many families assume hazing is “just part of college” and don’t realize they can sue.
   • Others fear social retaliation or don’t want to “ruin their child’s future.”
   • But silence protects the abusers – and puts the next student at risk.

⚖️ YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AS A CHATHAM COUNTY HAZING VICTIM

📜 Georgia Hazing Laws – What Chatham County Families Need to Know

Georgia has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students – but many families don’t know their rights.

Georgia Code § 16-5-61 – Hazing

Definition of Hazing in Georgia:

Any intentional or reckless act that endangers the physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a school organization.

This includes:

• Physical brutality (paddling, beatings, branding)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse
• Any activity that creates a substantial risk of harm

Criminal Penalties in Georgia:

Organizational Penalties:

• Fines up to $10,000
• Loss of recognition by the university
• Forfeiture of property

🔥 CRITICAL: Consent is NOT a Defense in Georgia

Georgia law explicitly states that a victim’s consent to hazing is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

🏛️ Civil Lawsuits – Holding Chatham County Abusers Accountable

Criminal charges punish the individuals, but civil lawsuits hold the institutions accountable – and get victims the compensation they deserve.

Who Can Be Sued in a Chatham County Hazing Case?

Chatham County families can sue for:

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from school/work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
• Wrongful death (if hazing results in death)

💰 How Much Is a Chatham County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts – including right here in Georgia.

Chatham County families can recover:

• $100,000+ for minor injuries with full recovery
• $500,000+ for hospitalizations (like our client’s rhabdomyolysis case)
• $1M+ for permanent injuries (kidney damage, PTSD, disfigurement)
• $10M+ for wrongful death or catastrophic injuries

🛡️ WHY CHATHAM COUNTY FAMILIES CHOOSE ATTORNEY 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW – And We’ll Fight for Chatham County

• We’re currently representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles at a Texas fraternity.
• We filed a $10 million lawsuit – and we’re taking it to trial if necessary.
• The same fraternities operate near Chatham County. The same negligence exists at Chatham County universities.
• We will bring the same aggressive representation to Chatham County families.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are both former insurance defense attorneys.
• We know exactly how insurance companies minimize claims and deny liability.
• We’ve seen their tactics from the inside – and now we use that knowledge to maximize recovery for victims.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Chatham County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide – including in Chatham County.

How we serve Chatham County families:
✅ Federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses – Texas AND New York
✅ Video consultations – Meet with us remotely from Savannah, Pooler, or anywhere in Chatham County
✅ Travel commitment – We come to Chatham County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
✅ 24/7 availability – Call our hazing hotline anytime: 1-888-ATTY-911

4. $0 Upfront – You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis – meaning:

• No upfront costs for Chatham County families
• No hourly fees – we don’t charge by the hour
• We only get paid if we win your case
• You keep the majority of the settlement

This means Chatham County families can fight back against powerful institutions without financial risk.

5. We Speak Spanish – Serving Chatham County’s Hispanic Community

• Se habla español – Our staff is bilingual
• We can serve Spanish-speaking families in Chatham County without language barriers
• All consultations available in Spanish

6. Proven Track Record – Millions Recovered for Victims

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for victims of negligence, including:

🚑 WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS HAZED IN CHATHAM COUNTY

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The statute of limitations is ticking.

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor.
• Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis may not show symptoms immediately.
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case.

✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO:

• Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
• Screenshot all text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts about hazing
• Save all photos/videos from pledge events
• Get names and contact information of witnesses
• Keep all 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: Report the Incident (But Be Careful How)

You can report hazing to:

• University administration (Title IX office, Greek Life office)
• Local police (file a report; hazing is a crime in Georgia)
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for felony-level hazing

⚠️ WARNING:

• Universities often protect their reputation over victims.
• Police reports are important, but they don’t get you compensation.
• Consult an attorney before making any statements.

✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hazing hotline)

We will:

• Guide you through evidence preservation
• Handle all communications with the university and fraternity
• File a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires
• Fight for maximum compensation for your child’s injuries

📞 CHATHAM COUNTY HAZING HOTLINE: 1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for Chatham County families

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com/hazing

We will travel to Chatham County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🎯 OUR MESSAGE TO CHATHAM COUNTY FRATERNITIES & UNIVERSITIES

TO FRATERNITIES OPERATING NEAR CHATHAM COUNTY:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi – if your chapter operates near Chatham County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

We track your house corporations. We track your alumni chapters. We track your national organizations. We track your documented history of hazing deaths.

If your Georgia chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity.

We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.

TO UNIVERSITIES IN AND NEAR CHATHAM COUNTY:

Savannah State. Georgia Southern. SCAD. College of Coastal Georgia.

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.

You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to regulate. You have the power to inspect. You have the power to shut down dangerous chapters.

And when you fail to use that power, you share liability.

We’re holding University of Houston accountable for owning the house where a student was waterboarded. We will hold Chatham County universities accountable for the same failures.

TO NATIONAL FRATERNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Pi Kappa Alpha. Kappa Sigma.

We know you have 150+ chapters across America. We know you’ve paid millions in hazing settlements. We know you’ve dissolved chapters after deaths and hospitalizations.

And we know you haven’t fixed the culture.

Andrew Coffey died at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017. Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at Pi Kappa Phi in 2025. Eight years. Same fraternity. Same negligence.

How many more students have to be hurt before you take real action?

We’re coming for you. And we’re bringing the receipts.

📅 CHATHAM COUNTY HAZING STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS – ACT NOW

Georgia law gives you a limited time to file a lawsuit:

⚠️ WARNING:

• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records
• If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue forever

Call Attorney 911 TODAY to protect your rights: 1-888-ATTY-911

💬 CHATHAM COUNTY HAZING FAQ

Q: My child signed a waiver saying they consented to hazing. Can we still sue?

A: YES. Georgia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed a waiver or agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

Q: The fraternity said this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault is assault. Battery is battery. Torture is torture – whether it’s called “tradition” or not.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?

We understand the fear of retaliation. We will:

• Handle all communications with the fraternity/university
• Protect your child’s identity when possible
• Pursue legal action against anyone who retaliates
• Fight for your child’s right to return to school safely

Q: We’re not in Texas. Can you still help us in Chatham County?

A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Chatham County. We offer:

• Video consultations from Savannah, Pooler, or anywhere in Georgia
• Travel to Chatham County for depositions and trials
• Federal court authority to pursue your case
• Experience with Georgia hazing laws

Q: How much will this cost our family?

$0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis – meaning:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• You keep the majority of the settlement

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on campus, at a fraternity house, at an alumni’s home, or anywhere else. We can pursue the fraternity, the individuals, and the property owners.

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

YES. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. Given the national hazing crisis – and prior incidents at Georgia universities – hazing was entirely foreseeable. Their failure to prevent it makes them liable.

📢 CHATHAM COUNTY PARENTS: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Chatham County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They trust Greek organizations to provide positive experiences.

That trust is being betrayed.

Every year, students are tortured, humiliated, hospitalized, and killed in the name of “tradition.” And every year, universities and fraternities cover it up, minimize it, or look the other way until it’s too late.

It’s time for that to change.

If your child has been hazed in Chatham County, you have the power to:
✅ Hold the abusers accountable
✅ Get compensation for medical bills and trauma
✅ Prevent this from happening to the next student
✅ Send a message that Chatham County will not tolerate hazing

We’re fighting this battle right now. And we’re bringing that fight to Chatham County.

📞 CALL ATTORNEY 911 TODAY: 1-888-ATTY-911

24/7 Chatham County Hazing Hotline
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com/hazing

We will travel to Chatham County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🏆 CHATHAM COUNTY HAZING LAWYERS – PROVEN. AGGRESSIVE. COMPASSIONATE.

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Chatham County from Houston, Austin & Beaumont

📍 Chatham County Families: We’re Here for You.