Hazing Lawyer in Chippewa County, MI – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

Chippewa County Families: Hazing Isn’t Tradition – It’s Torture

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Chippewa County, Michigan, you’re not alone. What happened to students like Leonel Bermudez—waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure—is happening right here in Chippewa County and across the Upper Peninsula.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for nearly identical abuse. We know how to hold fraternities, universities, and national organizations accountable—no matter where in Michigan or the U.S. the hazing occurred.

If your child was hazed in Chippewa County, call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Michigan)

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” Under Michigan law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health—regardless of whether the victim “consented.”

Common Hazing Practices That Can Lead to Lawsuits in Chippewa County:

✔ Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, forced exercise to exhaustion
✔ Forced consumption – Alcohol poisoning, eating until vomiting
✔ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation
✔ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✔ Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure

These aren’t “pranks.” They’re crimes—and they can lead to multi-million-dollar lawsuits.

Why Chippewa County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Chippewa County, MI. We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi for waterboarding a student until he was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the courtroom fighting this exact fight.

2. We Know How to Sue Fraternities & Universities

Fraternities and universities will try to blame the victim (“They consented!”) or hide behind insurance policies. We know their playbook because both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers.

We don’t just sue the local chapter—we go after:
✅ The national fraternity/sorority (deep pockets, insurance coverage)
✅ The university (premises liability, negligent supervision)
✅ Individual members (personal liability for assault, battery, hazing)
✅ Alumni & housing corporations (premises liability for off-campus hazing)

3. We’ve Won Millions for Hazing Victims

Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. We’ve seen:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

Your Chippewa County case could be next.

4. We Come to You – No Matter Where in Michigan You Are

We offer:
✔ Free video consultations for Chippewa County families
✔ Travel to Michigan for depositions, trials, and client meetings
✔ Remote case management so you don’t have to leave home

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning:
✅ $0 upfront to hire us
✅ We don’t get paid unless you win
✅ No hidden fees

You have nothing to lose by calling us.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Chippewa County

🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

Hazing can cause life-threatening injuries, including:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown → kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
• PTSD, anxiety, depression

If your child is showing symptoms, go to the ER immediately.

📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + originals)
✔ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, or fraternity houses
✔ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✔ Witness names (other pledges, bystanders, friends)

The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.

⚖️ Step 3: Call a Hazing Lawyer – Before Talking to Anyone Else

Fraternities, universities, and insurance companies will try to:

• Get your child to sign a waiver (giving up their rights)
• Pressure them into accepting a lowball settlement
• Destroy evidence before you can use it

Do NOT talk to them without a lawyer.

📞 Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 – 1-888-ATTY-911

We’ll:
✅ Evaluate your case for free
✅ Handle all communications with the fraternity/university
✅ Preserve evidence before it disappears
✅ Fight for maximum compensation

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Chippewa County?

1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter

• Directly organized and participated in hazing
• Example: The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) or Northern Michigan University (NMU)

2. The National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)

• Knew about hazing risks but failed to supervise
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National had 8 years to fix their culture after a student died in 2017—they did nothing.

3. The University (LSSU, NMU, etc.)

• Owns fraternity houses (premises liability)
• Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior hazing incidents
• Example: The University of Houston owned the house where our client was waterboarded.

4. Individual Members (Chapter President, Pledgemaster, etc.)

• Personally liable for assault, battery, hazing
• Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

5. Alumni & Housing Corporations

• Allowed hazing at their homes (premises liability)
• Example: Our lawsuit names a former Pi Kappa Phi member and his spouse for hosting hazing at their residence.

What Compensation Can Chippewa County Families Recover?

1. Medical Expenses

• Hospital bills (ER, ICU, specialists)
• Future medical care (dialysis, therapy, surgery)

2. Pain & Suffering

• Physical pain from hazing (500 squats, paddling, waterboarding)
• Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)

3. Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work/school
• Career impact if injuries are permanent

4. Punitive Damages (To Punish the Defendants)

• Fraternities that knowingly allow hazing can face millions in punitive damages
• Example: A jury awarded $6.1 million against Phi Delta Theta for hazing that killed a student.

Michigan Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

Michigan Penal Code § 750.411t – Hazing is a Crime

• Misdemeanor: Up to 93 days in jail + $1,000 fine
• Felony (if serious injury or death): Up to 10 years in prison

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.

Michigan’s “Max Gruver Act” (Proposed 2025)

• Would make hazing a felony in Michigan
• Would require universities to publicly report hazing incidents

We’re working with Michigan legislators to strengthen hazing laws.

Fraternities Near Chippewa County with Hazing Risks

While we can’t confirm specific incidents in Chippewa County, we know that national fraternities with dangerous hazing histories operate at Michigan universities, including:

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Chippewa County, they could be at risk.

Why Chippewa County Families Trust Attorney 911

✅ We’re Former Insurance Defense Lawyers – We Know Their Tricks

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know:

• How fraternities minimize claims
• How universities cover up hazing
• How to negotiate for maximum compensation

✅ We’ve Handled High-Profile Hazing Cases

• Currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi
• Experience with Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M hazing cases
• Rhabdomyolysis injury expertise (same condition as our UH client)

✅ We Fight for Justice – Not Just Settlements

We don’t just take the first offer. We:
✔ Take cases to trial if needed
✔ Expose the truth in court
✔ Demand punitive damages to stop future hazing

✅ We Care About Chippewa County Families

We see your child as more than a case. We fight because:

• We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids
• We know the long-term damage hazing causes
• We want to protect the next student

Chippewa County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

Hazing victims often feel shame, fear, and isolation. But you don’t have to suffer in silence.

We’ve helped families like yours recover millions—and we can help you too.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Free Consultation: attorney911.com/hazing

We’ll travel to Chippewa County for your case. You don’t have to come to us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Chippewa County

❓ “My child was hazed, but they ‘consented.’ Can we still sue?”

YES. Michigan law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.

❓ “The fraternity says it was just ‘tradition.’ Is that a defense?”

NO. “Tradition” doesn’t legalize abuse. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and physical torture are not traditions—they’re crimes.

❓ “The university says they didn’t know. Can we still sue them?”

YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they owned the fraternity house or failed to monitor Greek life, they can be held liable.

❓ “How much is my child’s case worth?”

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits often result in $1 million+ settlements. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking)
• University’s knowledge (prior hazing incidents)

❓ “What if my child is afraid of retaliation?”

We protect our clients. We:
✔ Handle all communications with the fraternity/university
✔ File anonymously if needed
✔ Take legal action against anyone who retaliates

❓ “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”

Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, evidence disappears quickly, so contact us immediately.

Chippewa County Hazing Victims: The Time to Act Is Now

Every day you wait:
✔ Evidence disappears (texts, photos, witnesses forget)
✔ Fraternities destroy records
✔ Your legal rights expire

Don’t let them get away with it. Call Attorney 911 today.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Free Case Review

We serve Chippewa County, MI, and all of Michigan. No upfront costs. No recovery, no fee.