Hazing Lawyers in Clallam County: Protecting Students from Abuse and Negligence
When Tradition Becomes Torture: Clallam County Families Deserve Justice
For many Clallam County parents, sending a child off to college represents a proud milestone – a chance for young adults to grow, learn, and form lifelong friendships. What no family expects is that their child might return home with serious injuries, psychological trauma, or worse, because of dangerous hazing rituals disguised as “tradition.” At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we’re prepared to bring that same aggressive representation to Clallam County families facing similar nightmares.
The hazing crisis isn’t just happening in Texas – it’s happening right here in Washington state. The same national fraternities with chapters near Clallam County that have paid millions in settlements nationwide are operating in our community. If your child attends Peninsula College, Western Washington University, or any institution in the region, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
What Clallam County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
The Reality Behind “Brotherhood” and “Tradition”
Hazing isn’t harmless fun or character-building – it’s systematic abuse that can cause permanent physical and psychological damage. In our current case, a University of Houston student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles repeatedly
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Subjected to sleep deprivation and extreme exhaustion
- Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
The result? Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization. This wasn’t an isolated incident – it was weeks of systematic abuse that our client endured simply for wanting to join what he thought would be a brotherhood.
The Same Fraternities Are Active Near Clallam County
Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity involved in our current lawsuit, has chapters across the country, including in Washington state. Other national fraternities with documented hazing histories also operate near Clallam County:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Paid $6.1 million in the Max Gruver case
- Beta Theta Pi – Responsible for the $110+ million Timothy Piazza settlement
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Settled for $10.1 million in the Stone Foltz case
- Phi Delta Theta – Involved in multiple hazing deaths nationwide
These aren’t just names on a list – they’re organizations with active chapters at universities near Clallam County where your children might be pledging right now.
Why Clallam County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning
While we’re based in Texas, our attorneys are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical for us – we’re in the courtroom, in the media, and at the negotiation table right now fighting for hazing victims. Clallam County families get the same aggressive representation we’re providing to our Houston client.
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys Know How to Beat the System
Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, previously worked for insurance defense firms and national defense practices. We know exactly how insurance companies think, how they try to minimize claims, and how they attempt to deny responsibility. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside – and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses.
Federal Court Authority Means We Can Handle Clallam County Cases
We’re admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, giving us the ability to pursue hazing cases nationwide. Whether your child was hazed at a local community college or a university across the state, we can represent you. We offer video consultations for Clallam County families and will travel to Washington for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
Dual-State Licensing Gives Us Strategic Advantage
Both attorneys are licensed in Texas and New York, which is particularly valuable when pursuing cases against national fraternities that often have headquarters in major cities. This dual licensing gives us strategic flexibility in choosing the best jurisdiction for your case.
The Legal Rights of Clallam County Hazing Victims
Washington State Hazing Laws Protect Your Child
Washington has strong anti-hazing laws that make it clear: consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate in hazing activities, the law recognizes that peer pressure, fear of social exclusion, and other coercive factors make true consent impossible in these situations.
Under RCW 28B.10.901, hazing is defined as any activity that:
- Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
- Is expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in an organization
- Is not consistent with academic achievement or the mission of the educational institution
Hazing is a gross misdemeanor in Washington, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines. More serious cases can be charged as felonies.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Clallam County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties may share responsibility:
- Local Chapter Members – The individuals who directly participated in or organized the hazing
- Chapter Officers – Leaders who allowed or encouraged hazing activities
- National Organization – The fraternity or sorority headquarters that failed to supervise local