Hazing Victims in Buena Vista, Virginia: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help**
The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Buena Vista
Hazing is not just a distant problem happening at big universities in other states. It happens right here in Virginia, including in and around Buena Vista. When your child leaves for college, you trust that the institutions they join will keep them safe. But too often, that trust is broken. Hazing incidents like the one we’re currently litigating in Texas—where a student was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles—happen at universities near Buena Vista too.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure due to extreme hazing. This same fraternity has chapters at universities near Buena Vista, and the same culture of abuse exists here in Virginia. If your child has been a victim of hazing at a college or university near Buena Vista, we can help you seek justice.
What Constitutes Hazing in Virginia?
Hazing is illegal in Virginia under § 18.2-56 of the Virginia Code. It includes any action taken or situation created that:
- Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
- Is done for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization
- Includes activities like forced consumption of alcohol or drugs, physical brutality, sleep deprivation, or any other dangerous practices
Key Point for Buena Vista Families: Virginia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Buena Vista?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held responsible:
- Individual Perpetrators: The students who directly participated in the hazing activities.
- Chapter Officers: The leaders of the fraternity or sorority who organized or allowed the hazing.
- Local Chapters: The specific chapter of the Greek organization involved in the hazing.
- National Organizations: The national fraternity or sorority that failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies.
- Universities and Colleges: The institution that failed to prevent hazing despite having the authority to do so.
For Buena Vista Families: If your child was hazed at a university near Buena Vista, we will pursue every liable party to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The Devastating Consequences of Hazing
Hazing can cause severe physical and psychological harm, including:
- Physical Injuries: Broken bones, burns, traumatic brain injuries, and organ damage (like the rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure our client suffered).
- Psychological Trauma: PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation.
- Academic Impact: Falling grades, delayed graduation, or dropping out of school entirely.
- Financial Burden: Medical bills, therapy
