# Hazing Lawyers in Clay County, Mississippi – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable
**Attorney 911: Fighting for Hazing Victims Across Mississippi, Including Clay County**
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization in **Clay County, Mississippi**, you’re not alone. The same dangerous hazing culture that hospitalized a student at the University of Houston in 2025 exists at colleges and universities across America—including those near Clay County.
At **Attorney 911**, we’re currently litigating a **$10 million hazing lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for waterboarding, forced exercise, and other abusive rituals that left a student with **rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure**. We know how to build these cases—and we’re ready to fight for Clay County families with the same aggressive representation.
**If your child was hazed in Clay County or anywhere in Mississippi, call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911**
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## Why Clay County Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
### 1. **We’re Fighting Hazing Right Now – And Winning**
While based in Texas, we’re actively litigating one of the most high-profile hazing cases in the country. In November 2025, we filed a **$10 million lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with **kidney failure from extreme hazing**, including:
– **Waterboarding with a garden hose** (simulated drowning)
– **Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups** until he collapsed
– **Struck with wooden paddles**
– **Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep exercising**
– **Sleep deprivation and psychological abuse**
This wasn’t just hazing—it was **torture**. And it’s happening at colleges near Clay County, too.
**Clay County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Houston.**
### 2. **We Serve Clay County – No Matter Where the Hazing Happened**
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we represent hazing victims **nationwide**, including Clay County. Here’s how we make it work for Mississippi families:
✅ **Federal court authority** – We can pursue cases in federal court, which often has jurisdiction over national fraternities and universities.
✅ **Dual-state bar licenses** – Licensed in **Texas and New York**, giving us strategic advantages in cases involving out-of-state defendants.
✅ **We travel to Clay County** – For depositions, trials, and client meetings, we come to you.
✅ **Remote consultations** – Clay County families can meet with us via video call—no need to travel.
✅ **Contingency fee representation** – **$0 upfront.** We only get paid if we win your case.
**Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for Clay County victims just as hard as we’re fighting in Houston.**
### 3. **We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense**
Fraternities and universities will try to blame your child by saying:
– *”They agreed to participate.”*
– *”They knew the risks.”*
– *”They could have left at any time.”*
**But Mississippi law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing.** In fact, **many states—including Mississippi—have laws explicitly stating that a victim’s consent does not excuse hazing.** We know how to dismantle these arguments and prove that the real responsibility lies with the organization, not the victim.
### 4. **We Don’t Just Sue Students – We Go After the Deep Pockets**
Many families hesitate to pursue legal action because they don’t want to sue individual students who may not have money to pay. **We don’t either.**
Our strategy targets the **real decision-makers with the financial resources to compensate victims:**
– **National fraternity/sorority organizations** (like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or Kappa Sigma)
– **Universities and colleges** (who often own or control fraternity houses)
– **Housing corporations** (that lease properties to Greek organizations)
– **Insurance companies** (that cover these institutions)
**We know where the money is—and we know how to get it.**
### 5. **We’ve Handled High-Stakes Litigation Before**
Our attorneys aren’t just hazing lawyers—we’re **trial-tested litigators** with decades of experience taking on powerful institutions:
– **Ralph Manginello** has **25+ years of courtroom experience**, including mass tort litigation from the **BP Texas City explosion** (15 deaths, 180+ injuries).
– **Lupe Peña** worked at a **national insurance defense firm** before switching sides—so he knows exactly how the other side thinks and fights.
– **We’ve won multi-million dollar settlements** in wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and institutional negligence cases.
**When you hire Attorney 911, you’re not just getting a lawyer—you’re getting a team that knows how to take down powerful defendants.**
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## What Counts as Hazing in Mississippi?
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” Under **Mississippi law**, hazing includes any activity that:
– **Endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student**
– Is done for the purpose of **pledging, initiation, or maintaining membership** in an organization
– Includes **physical brutality, forced consumption of alcohol or drugs, sleep deprivation, or psychological abuse**
**Examples of hazing we’ve seen in Mississippi and nationwide:**
✔ **Extreme physical punishment** – Forced calisthenics, paddling, branding, or running until exhaustion
✔ **Waterboarding or simulated drowning** – As seen in our Pi Kappa Phi case
✔ **Forced alcohol consumption** – Binge drinking, chugging, or drinking games leading to alcohol poisoning
✔ **Forced eating** – Consuming food, milk, or non-food items until vomiting
✔ **Sleep deprivation** – Late-night activities, forced driving, or disrupted sleep schedules
✔ **Psychological abuse** – Humiliation, threats, isolation, or carrying degrading objects
✔ **Sexual assault or harassment** – Forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying sexual objects
✔ **Exposure to extreme weather** – Forced outdoor activities in heat or cold without proper clothing
✔ **Servitude** – Forced cleaning, errands, or personal tasks for members
**If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed—and they have legal rights.**
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## Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Clay County?
Hazing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. **Multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable**, including:
### 1. **The Local Chapter**
– The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized the hazing
– Chapter officers (president, pledge master, risk manager)
– Members who participated or failed to stop the abuse
### 2. **The National Organization**
– National fraternities/sororities with chapters near Clay County (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Kappa Sigma, etc.)
– These organizations often have **millions in assets and insurance policies**
– They’re responsible for **supervising local chapters** and enforcing anti-hazing policies
### 3. **The University or College**
– Institutions near Clay County that **fail to prevent hazing** despite knowing it occurs
– Universities that **own or control fraternity/sorority houses** (premises liability)
– Schools that **ignore prior hazing incidents** or **fail to investigate reports**
### 4. **Housing Corporations & Alumni**
– Entities that **own or lease fraternity/sorority houses**
– Alumni who **host hazing events at their homes**
– Spouses or property owners who **allow hazing on their premises**
### 5. **Individual Members & Leaders**
– Students who **directly participated in hazing**
– Officers who **organized or allowed hazing to continue**
– Members who **failed to intervene or report abuse**
**Our job is to identify every liable party and pursue them aggressively.**
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## What Compensation Can Clay County Families Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to **economic and non-economic damages**, including:
### **Economic Damages (Tangible Costs)**
– **Medical expenses** – Hospital bills, ER visits, rehabilitation, therapy, future medical care
– **Lost wages** – Time missed from work due to injuries or trauma
– **Educational costs** – Tuition, fees, or lost scholarships due to academic disruption
– **Future earning capacity** – If injuries affect long-term career prospects
### **Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)**
– **Physical pain** – From injuries like rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, or burns
– **Emotional distress** – PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation
– **Humiliation and shame** – From degrading or humiliating hazing rituals
– **Loss of enjoyment of life** – Inability to participate in normal activities or social life
– **Wrongful death damages** – If hazing leads to a fatality (loss of companionship, funeral expenses, etc.)
### **Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)**
In cases of **gross negligence or intentional harm**, courts may award **punitive damages** to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. This is especially likely in cases involving:
– **Waterboarding or torture**
– **Forced consumption leading to alcohol poisoning or organ failure**
– **Prior knowledge of hazing risks**
– **Cover-ups or failure to intervene**
**Our current Pi Kappa Phi case involves all of these factors—making punitive damages likely.**
—
## What Should Clay County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?
If your child was hazed, **time is critical**. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire. Here’s what to do **right now**:
### **1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately**
– Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
– **Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries** can be life-threatening if untreated.
– Medical records are **critical evidence** for your case.
### **2. Preserve All Evidence**
– **Take photos/videos** of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
– **Save all communications** – Texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, social media posts.
– **Document everything** – Write down dates, times, locations, and what happened.
– **Get witness contact info** – Other pledges, bystanders, or friends who may have seen or heard about the hazing.
### **3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone**
– **Do not** talk to fraternity/sorority leaders, university administrators, or their lawyers without legal representation.
– **Do not** sign anything from the organization.
– **Do not** post about the incident on social media.
**Anything you say can—and will—be used against you.**
### **4. Report the Hazing (With Legal Guidance)**
– Consider filing a **police report** (hazing is a crime in Mississippi).
– Report to the **university’s Title IX office** (if sexual assault or gender-based hazing occurred).
– Report to the **national fraternity/sorority organization**.
**We can help you navigate these reports safely and effectively.**
### **5. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately**
– **Mississippi has a 3-year statute of limitations** for personal injury claims, but **evidence disappears fast**.
– The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
– **Free consultation:** Call **1-888-ATTY-911** or email **ralph@atty911.com**.
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## Mississippi Hazing Laws: What Families Need to Know
Mississippi has **strong laws against hazing**, including criminal penalties. Here’s what you should know:
### **Mississippi Code § 97-3-105 – Hazing**
– **Definition:** Any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into an organization.
– **Criminal Penalties:**
– **Misdemeanor** – Up to **6 months in jail** and/or **$1,000 fine**
– **Felony** – If hazing results in **serious bodily injury or death**, penalties increase to **up to 5 years in prison** and **$5,000 fine**
– **Consent is NOT a defense** – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
### **Mississippi Code § 37-11-51 – Institutional Reporting Requirements**
– Universities and colleges must **report hazing incidents** to law enforcement.
– Failure to report is a **misdemeanor**.
### **Title IX Protections (For Sexual Hazing)**
– If hazing involved **sexual assault, harassment, or gender-based abuse**, the university may be liable under **Title IX** for failing to protect students.
– Title IX allows for **federal lawsuits** against schools that ignore or cover up hazing.
**Our attorneys are well-versed in Mississippi hazing laws and can help you understand your legal options.**
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## Fraternities With Hazing Histories Near Clay County
Many national fraternities with chapters near Clay County have **documented histories of hazing incidents**, including:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Settlements/Verdicts |
|————|———————-|———————-|
| **Pi Kappa Phi** | – Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) – **Death** from forced drinking
– Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) – **Rhabdomyolysis & kidney failure** (our current case) | Confidential (Coffey); **$10M pending** (Bermudez) |
| **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)** | – Multiple deaths from alcohol poisoning
– Chemical burns, physical abuse | Multi-million dollar settlements |
| **Kappa Sigma** | – Deaths from alcohol poisoning
– Extreme physical abuse | $12.6M verdict (Chad Meredith case) |
| **Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)** | – Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) – **Death** from forced drinking | **$10.1M settlement** |
| **Phi Delta Theta** | – Max Gruver (LSU, 2017) – **Death** from forced drinking | **$6.1M jury verdict** |
| **Beta Theta Pi** | – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) – **Death** after falling down stairs | **$110M+ settlement** |
**These organizations have paid millions in settlements—but the hazing continues. It’s time to send a message that Clay County families won’t tolerate it.**
—
## What Makes Our Approach Different for Clay County Families
### **1. We Don’t Just Sue – We Expose the Truth**
Hazing thrives in secrecy. Our strategy is to **shine a light on the culture of abuse** and force institutions to change. We do this by:
– **Aggressively pursuing discovery** to uncover internal communications, prior incidents, and cover-ups.
– **Working with media** to expose hazing culture (as we’ve done with our Pi Kappa Phi case).
– **Pushing for legislative change** to strengthen anti-hazing laws.
### **2. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial**
Many personal injury lawyers settle cases quickly to avoid the courtroom. **We’re not one of them.**
– We’ve taken **hundreds of cases to trial** and won.
– We know how to **present hazing cases to juries** in a way that resonates.
– We’re willing to **fight for years** if that’s what it takes to get justice for your family.
**If the defendants won’t settle fairly, we’ll take them to court—and we’ll win.**
### **3. We Treat Clay County Families Like Family**
We understand that hazing cases are **emotionally devastating** for families. We’re here to:
– **Listen to your story** with compassion.
– **Keep you informed** at every step.
– **Fight for you** like we’d fight for our own family.
**Clay County families aren’t just clients—they’re part of our mission to end hazing.**
—
## Clay County Hazing Lawyer: Frequently Asked Questions
### **1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still contact a lawyer?**
**Yes.** Even if your child doesn’t want to pursue legal action now, consulting with an attorney can:
– **Preserve evidence** before it disappears.
– **Protect their rights** if they change their mind later.
– **Help you understand your options** for reporting to the university or law enforcement.
– **Ensure their safety** by holding the organization accountable.
### **2. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?**
**Yes.** Hazing is illegal **whether it happens on or off campus**. If the hazing occurred at a:
– **Fraternity/sorority house**
– **Private residence**
– **Hotel or rented space**
– **Outdoor location**
**you can still pursue legal action.**
### **3. What if my child signed a waiver or agreed to participate?**
**Consent is NOT a defense to hazing in Mississippi.** Even if your child:
– Signed a waiver
– Agreed to participate
– Knew about the risks
– Didn’t report it immediately
**the organization can still be held liable.** Mississippi law explicitly states that **consent does not excuse hazing.**
### **4. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer in Clay County?**
At Attorney 911, **we work on contingency**—which means:
– **$0 upfront costs**
– **$0 out of pocket**
– **We only get paid if we win your case**
Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict. **If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.**
### **5. How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Mississippi?**
Mississippi has a **3-year statute of limitations** for personal injury claims. However:
– **Evidence disappears quickly** (texts, social media posts, witness memories).
– **Organizations destroy records** once they know a lawsuit is coming.
– **The sooner we start, the stronger your case will be.**
**Don’t wait. Contact us today.**
### **6. Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?**
**Yes.** Universities can be held liable for hazing under several legal theories, including:
– **Premises liability** – If they own or control the property where hazing occurred.
– **Negligent supervision** – If they failed to monitor Greek organizations despite knowing hazing is a risk.
– **Institutional negligence** – If they had prior hazing incidents and failed to implement safeguards.
**In our Pi Kappa Phi case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house—making them directly liable.**
### **7. What if the fraternity claims it was just “tradition”?**
“Tradition” is **not an excuse for abuse.** Courts and juries recognize that:
– **Hazing is not harmless fun**—it’s a **dangerous, often illegal** practice.
– **“Tradition” doesn’t justify torture, assault, or endangering lives.**
– **Organizations that allow hazing are negligent**—regardless of how long it’s been going on.
**We’ll make sure the jury understands that “tradition” doesn’t excuse what happened to your child.**
### **8. Can we still sue if the hazing didn’t result in hospitalization?**
**Yes.** Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a case for:
– **Emotional distress** (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
– **Humiliation and shame** (from degrading rituals)
– **Physical injuries** (bruises, sprains, or other harm)
– **Academic disruption** (missed classes, failing grades)
**If the hazing caused harm—physical or emotional—you may have a legal claim.**
### **9. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?**
We understand that hazing victims often fear **social or academic retaliation** for speaking out. Here’s how we protect our clients:
– **Confidentiality** – We keep your case private until you’re ready to go public.
– **Legal protections** – Retaliation against a hazing victim is illegal.
– **University accountability** – We can demand that the university protect your child from further harm.
– **Anonymous reporting options** – We can help you report hazing without revealing your identity initially.
**Your child’s safety is our top priority.**
### **10. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?**
Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits typically take:
– **6–12 months** for minor injuries with clear liability
– **1–3 years** for complex cases involving multiple defendants
– **3+ years** for wrongful death or high-stakes litigation
**We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible, but we won’t rush if it means accepting a lowball settlement.**
—
## Clay County Hazing Resources
If your child was hazed in Clay County, these resources can help:
### **Mississippi Hazing Laws & Reporting**
– **Mississippi Code § 97-3-105** – [Hazing Law](https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mscode/)
– **Mississippi State University** – [Hazing Prevention](https://www.msstate.edu/)
– **University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)** – [Hazing Policy](https://olemiss.edu/)
– **Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning** – [Student Affairs](https://www.mississippi.edu/)
### **National Hazing Prevention Organizations**
– **HazingPrevention.Org** – [Resources & Support](https://hazingprevention.org/)
– **StopHazing** – [Research & Advocacy](https://stophazing.org/)
– **Clery Center** – [Campus Safety Resources](https://clerycenter.org/)
### **Mental Health Support for Hazing Victims**
– **Mississippi Department of Mental Health** – [Crisis Hotline](https://www.dmh.ms.gov/)
– **National Suicide Prevention Lifeline** – **988**
– **Crisis Text Line** – Text **HOME** to **741741**
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## Clay County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is **not your child’s fault.** It’s not “part of the process.” It’s not “harmless fun.” It’s **abuse**—and it needs to stop.
At **Attorney 911**, we’re fighting to:
✅ **Hold fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable**
✅ **Compensate victims for their physical and emotional injuries**
✅ **Change the culture of hazing in Mississippi and nationwide**
**We’ve seen what happens when institutions prioritize reputation over student safety. We won’t let them get away with it in Clay County.**
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## Contact a Clay County Hazing Lawyer Today
**If your child was hazed in Clay County or anywhere in Mississippi, call us now for a free, confidential consultation:**
📞 **1-888-ATTY-911**
📧 **ralph@atty911.com**
🌐 **attorney911.com**
**Available 24/7 for Clay County hazing emergencies.**
**We don’t get paid unless we win your case. $0 upfront. $0 out of pocket.**
—
### **Clay County Families: The Time to Act Is Now.**
**Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Deadlines expire.**
**Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before it’s too late.**