🚨 Hazing Victims in Colleton County Deserve Justice — We Fight for Students and Families

If your child was hazed at a Colleton County college or university, you have rights. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for Colleton County families with the same fury.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all because he wanted to join a brotherhood.

This isn’t happening just in Houston. It’s happening at colleges and universities near Colleton County. The same fraternities operate here. The same negligence exists. And we will fight for Colleton County victims with the same aggression.

🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Colleton County

On November 3, 2025, a University of Houston fraternity pledge was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrows, and other extreme exercises while reciting the fraternity creed. He was threatened with expulsion if he stopped.

He became so exhausted he could not stand without help. The next day, he was too sore to move. The day after that, his mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This wasn’t an accident. This was torture disguised as “tradition.”

And here’s the outrage: This fraternity had been warned before. In 2017, another student died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University. The national organization had 8 years to fix their culture. They did nothing. Now another student has been hospitalized.

The University of Houston had been warned too. In 2017, a different fraternity hospitalized a student with a lacerated spleen. The university had 8 years to implement real oversight. They did nothing.

Same fraternity. Same university. Same failure. 8 years apart.

Colleton County families: This could happen — and likely is happening — at colleges and universities near you.

🏛️ The Same Fraternities Operate in Colleton County

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including at universities near Colleton County. Other national fraternities with hazing histories — Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma — also have active chapters in the region.

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

📜 What Is Hazing? (It’s Not What They Tell You)

Hazing is not “building brotherhood.” It’s not “tradition.” It’s not “boys being boys.”

Under South Carolina law, hazing is:

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

This includes:

• Physical abuse — paddling, beating, forced exercise
• Forced consumption — alcohol, food, non-food substances
• Psychological abuse — humiliation, degradation, threats
• Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts
• Sleep deprivation — forced late nights, early mornings
• Exposure — extreme cold, heat, confined spaces
• Servitude — forced errands, driving, cleaning

In our Houston case, hazing included:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups — causing rhabdomyolysis
✅ Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
✅ Forced eating until vomiting — then forced to continue running
✅ Sleep deprivation — forced to drive members at all hours
✅ Psychological torture — threats of expulsion, humiliation

This is not hazing. This is torture.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Colleton County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue for Money Damages

Hazing victims in Colleton County can sue for:

• Medical bills — past, present, and future
• Lost wages — time missed from work or school
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
• Punitive damages — to punish the organization for egregious conduct

In our Houston case, we are seeking $10 million. This is in line with other hazing cases:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State / Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million jury verdict — Maxwell Gruver (LSU / Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State / Beta Theta Pi)

2. Consent Is Not a Defense

South Carolina law (like Texas law) says: Consent is not a defense to hazing.

When fraternities argue:

• “He agreed to participate”
• “He knew what he was signing up for”
• “He could have left at any time”
• “It’s tradition”

The law says: CONSENT DOES NOT MATTER.

The South Carolina Legislature specifically eliminated this defense because they recognized that peer pressure, threats, and social exclusion negate true consent.

3. You Can Sue Multiple Defendants

In our Houston case, we are suing:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The University of Houston
• The UH Board of Regents
• Individual fraternity members
• Former members who hosted hazing
• The spouse of a former member

Colleton County families can sue the same types of defendants.

4. You Have Time — But Not Much

South Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears quickly — texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records.

If your child was hazed, call us NOW. Do not wait.

🏢 Who Is Liable for Colleton County Hazing?

1. The Local Fraternity Chapter

The chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing.

In our Houston case: Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi

2. The National Fraternity Organization

The national organization that failed to supervise the chapter.

In our Houston case: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Why they’re liable:

• They knew about the “hazing crisis” and did nothing
• They had 8 years after Andrew Coffey’s death to fix the culture
• They failed to enforce their own anti-hazing policies

3. The University or College

The institution that failed to protect students.

In our Houston case: University of Houston

Why they’re liable:

• They own the fraternity house where hazing occurred
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 and did nothing
• They have a duty to supervise Greek life organizations

4. Individual Fraternity Members

Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing.

In our Houston case: Chapter president, pledgemaster, current members, former members

Why they’re liable:

• They directly committed assault and battery
• They failed to stop the abuse
• They can be sued personally

5. Property Owners

Anyone who allowed hazing to occur on their property.

In our Houston case: A former member and his spouse hosted hazing at their home

💔 The Real Cost of Hazing

Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown causing kidney failure (as in our case)
• Alcohol poisoning — common in forced drinking hazing
• Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones — from physical abuse
• Burns — from branding or hot objects
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia — from exposure
• Sexual assault injuries

Psychological Trauma

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — from abuse and torture
• Anxiety and depression — long-term mental health effects
• Suicidal ideation — hazing victims are at increased risk
• Trust issues — difficulty forming relationships
• Academic decline — inability to focus on studies

Death

Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.

Colleton County families: This could be your child.

📋 What To Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Colleton County

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:

1. Get medical attention — even if injuries seem minor

   • Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions may not show symptoms immediately
   • Document everything medically

2. Preserve all evidence

   • Take photos of injuries at all stages
   • Screenshot all texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs
   • Save all social media posts about hazing
   • Document witness names and contact information
   • Keep any physical evidence (clothing, items used in hazing)

3. Do NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel

   • They will try to control the narrative
   • They will pressure you to stay quiet
   • Anything you say can be used against you

4. Do NOT post on social media about the incident

   • Anything you post can be used against you
   • Do not delete old posts — that’s destruction of evidence

5. Call Attorney 911 immediately

   • 1-888-ATTY-911
   • We offer free consultations for Colleton County hazing victims
   • We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win

🏆 Why Colleton County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. Colleton County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Have Deep Hazing Litigation Expertise

Our attorneys have specific experience with:

• Rhabdomyolysis injury cases
• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
• Texas A&M University hazing cases
• Hospitalization compensation claims

3. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims. We know how to dismantle their defenses.

4. We Have Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal appeals. This means we can pursue Colleton County cases in federal jurisdiction when appropriate.

5. We Are Bilingual (Se Habla Español)

We serve Spanish-speaking Colleton County families without language barriers.

6. We Will Travel to Colleton County

We come to Colleton County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier.

7. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

Colleton County families pay nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

📞 Colleton County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Colleton County, call us immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We offer:
✅ Free case evaluation
✅ Immediate response
✅ Aggressive representation
✅ Federal court authority
✅ Willingness to travel to Colleton County
✅ Contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we win

🔥 Our Message to Colleton County Fraternities and Sororities

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, and every other fraternity operating near Colleton County:

We are watching.

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

If your chapter hazes students in Colleton County, we will pursue every liable entity.

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

To Colleton County universities and colleges:

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

Act now or face the same accountability.

🎓 A Message to Colleton County Students

If you are being hazed, you are not alone.

You are not weak. You are not a failure. You are a victim of abuse.

What is happening to you is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is not “sisterhood.” It is torture.

You have the right to say no. You have the right to walk away. You have the right to report it.

And if you’ve already been hurt, you have the right to justice.

Call us. We will protect you. We will fight for you. We will make them stop.

1-888-ATTY-911

📚 The Hazing Crisis in Colleton County — What Every Parent Needs to Know

1. Hazing Is Widespread

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report hazing
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
• 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it

2. Hazing Happens in All Types of Organizations

• Fraternities and sororities
• Sports teams
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Clubs
• Honor societies

3. Hazing Is Not Limited to Alcohol

While forced drinking is common, hazing also includes:

• Physical abuse (paddling, beating, forced exercise)
• Psychological torture (waterboarding, humiliation, threats)
• Sleep deprivation
• Sexual abuse
• Extreme exposure (cold, heat, confined spaces)

4. Universities Know It Happens — And Do Nothing

In our Houston case:

• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 at a different fraternity
• They had 8 years to implement oversight — they did nothing

Colleton County universities face the same liability.

5. National Organizations Enable the Culture

Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years between Andrew Coffey’s death (2017) and Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization (2025). They did nothing to fix their culture.

The same nationals operate in Colleton County.

6. Hazing Can Kill

Since 2000, hazing has killed students at:

• Penn State
• LSU
• Florida State
• Bowling Green State
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• And many more

Colleton County parents: This could be your child.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?

A: YES. South Carolina law explicitly says consent is not a defense to hazing. The legislature recognized that peer pressure, threats, and social exclusion negate true consent. Your child’s “consent” does not matter.

Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: NO. “Tradition” does not legalize assault, battery, or torture. If the activities meet the legal definition of hazing, they are illegal regardless of how long they’ve been done.

Q: My child was hazed off-campus. Can we still sue the university?

A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm, even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks, they can be held liable.

Q: We’re worried about retaliation. What can you do?

A: We take retaliation threats very seriously. We can:

• Send cease-and-desist letters to prevent harassment
• Pursue additional claims for retaliation
• Protect your identity during litigation
• Ensure your child’s safety

Our client in the Houston case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We understand this fear and will protect Colleton County victims.

Q: How much does it cost to hire you?

A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so we only get paid if you get paid.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: South Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears quickly, so you should contact us immediately.

Q: My child attends a university near Colleton County. Can you help us?

A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Colleton County and surrounding areas. We have federal court authority and are willing to travel to Colleton County.

Q: What if my child was not a student at the university yet?

A: In our Houston case, the victim was a “ghost rush” — not yet enrolled at UH. The fraternity still hazed him. Duty of care extends beyond enrolled students.

Q: What if the hazing didn’t cause serious injuries?

A: Even minor hazing can cause significant psychological trauma. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are compensable injuries. You may still have a case.

📢 Enough Is Enough — Colleton County Parents Deserve Answers

To Colleton County fraternities, sororities, and universities:

You have a choice.

You can continue to protect your reputation over student safety.

Or

You can finally hold your organizations accountable and protect the next generation of Colleton County students.

We are Attorney 911. We choose accountability. We choose justice. We choose Colleton County students.

If you choose to continue enabling hazing culture, we will see you in court.

Colleton County families: You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. Immediate response. Aggressive representation. Federal court authority. We travel to Colleton County. $0 upfront.