Hazing Victims in Coosa County, Alabama: Legal Rights and Justice

When Tradition Becomes Torture: The Hazing Crisis in Coosa County

Coosa County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations near Coosa County will protect their students. But behind the scenes of brotherhood and sisterhood, a dangerous culture of hazing persists—one that has sent students to hospitals, left families devastated, and even taken lives.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this crisis right now. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. This same fraternity operates chapters at universities near Coosa County, Alabama. This same pattern of abuse happens at institutions across our state.

If your child has been hazed in Coosa County or at any Alabama university, you need to know: This is not tradition. This is not bonding. This is abuse. And it’s illegal.

What Hazing Looks Like in Coosa County

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s a systematic pattern of abuse that often includes:

• Physical torture: Waterboarding, forced calisthenics until collapse, beatings with wooden paddles
• Forced consumption: Drinking until vomiting, eating until choking, consuming dangerous substances
• Psychological abuse: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
• Sexual degradation: Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
• Dangerous servitude: Late-night driving, cleaning, running errands for members

Our current client was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until he couldn’t stand, and struck with wooden paddles—all as part of what the fraternity called “pledge activities.” He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of inpatient care.

This same abuse happens at universities near Coosa County. The same fraternities with chapters in Alabama have the same hazing cultures. And the same institutions that should be protecting students are failing to act.

Alabama Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights

Alabama has strong laws against hazing, but many families don’t realize their legal options. Under Alabama Code § 16-1-23, hazing is defined as:

“Any willful action taken or situation created, whether on or off any school, college, university, or other educational premises, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any student.”

Key provisions of Alabama hazing law:

• Criminal penalties: Hazing is a Class C misdemeanor (up to 3 months in jail and $500 fine)
• Consent is not a defense: Even if a student “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t excuse the conduct
• Organizational liability: Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be held responsible
• Reporting requirements: Universities must report hazing incidents

Most importantly, hazing victims and their families can sue for damages—including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages to punish egregious conduct.

Who Is Liable When Hazing Happens in Coosa County?

Too often, hazing is dismissed as “boys being boys” or “just part of Greek life.” But when students are injured or killed, multiple parties share responsibility:

1. Local Chapters

The fraternity or sorority chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing activities.

2. National Organizations

National fraternities and sororities have deep pockets and insurance policies. They’re responsible for overseeing their chapters and enforcing anti-hazing policies. When they fail—as Pi Kappa Phi did after Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017—they must be held accountable.

3. Universities

Alabama universities have a duty to protect their students. When they own or control fraternity houses, their responsibility is even greater. Our current case involves a university that owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. Alabama universities face the same liability.

4. Individual Members

Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be sued individually. Chapter officers face particular liability for directing activities. In a recent hazing case, a chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

5. Alumni and Property Owners

Hazing often occurs at off-campus locations owned by alumni or other third parties. These individuals can be held liable for allowing dangerous activities on their property.

Real Cases, Real Results: Hazing Settlements and Verdicts

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These aren’t just numbers—they represent accountability and prevention:

These results are possible for Alabama families too. The same legal strategies apply in Coosa County and across Alabama.

What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Coosa County

If you suspect your child has been hazed, act immediately. Evidence disappears quickly, and Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Medical Care

• If your child is in immediate danger, call 911
• Seek medical attention—even if injuries seem minor
• Document all symptoms, including psychological effects

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Do not delete anything: Save all text messages, social media posts, GroupMe chats, emails
• Take photographs of injuries at all stages of healing
• Document the location where hazing occurred
• Get contact information for witnesses
• Save any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Do not give statements to university administrators alone
• Do not sign anything from the organization
• Do not post on social media about the incident

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

Call Attorney 911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We offer:

• Free, confidential consultations for Coosa County families
• 24/7 availability for hazing emergencies
• Contingency fee representation—you pay nothing unless we win
• Nationwide service—we represent Alabama victims regardless of location

Why Coosa County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston demonstrates our commitment to holding institutions accountable.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they think, how they value claims, and how they try to minimize payouts. We use that insider knowledge to maximize recovery for our clients.

Nationwide Reach with Alabama Focus

Based in Texas, we serve hazing victims across America, including Coosa County and all of Alabama. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases anywhere.

Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

We understand the trauma hazing victims experience. Our approach combines:

• Aggressive litigation against powerful institutions
• Compassionate client care for victims and families
• Strategic media and public pressure to force accountability

Proven Results

Our firm has recovered millions for personal injury victims, including:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in catastrophic injury cases
• Significant verdicts in wrongful death claims
• Successful outcomes against large corporations and institutions

The Attorney 911 Difference: Our Hazing Litigation Strategy

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

We act fast to:

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Subpoena text messages, social media, and communications
• Secure security camera footage
• Interview witnesses before memories fade

2. Comprehensive Defendant Targeting

We pursue every liable party:

• Local chapters
• National organizations
• Universities
• Individual members
• Property owners
• Insurance carriers

3. Pattern Evidence Development

Hazing is never an isolated incident. We investigate:

• Prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
• National organization’s history of violations
• University’s prior knowledge and failures
• Similar incidents at other chapters

4. Medical Expert Collaboration

We work with:

• Physicians to document physical injuries
• Psychologists to assess PTSD and trauma
• Life care planners to project future medical needs
• Economists to calculate lost earning capacity

5. Strategic Media and Public Pressure

We use media strategically to:

• Publicize institutional failures
• Pressure defendants to settle
• Warn other potential victims
• Drive legislative change

6. Legislative Advocacy

Our cases have led to new hazing laws. We work with Alabama legislators to:

• Strengthen anti-hazing statutes
• Increase criminal penalties
• Improve university oversight
• Protect future students

Common Hazing Injuries We Handle for Alabama Families

Hazing causes a range of physical and psychological injuries:

Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) from extreme exercise
• Acute kidney failure (as in our current case)
• Alcohol poisoning from forced drinking
• Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
• Broken bones and fractures
• Burns from branding or hot objects
• Hypothermia from exposure
• Internal injuries from physical abuse

Psychological Trauma

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Trust issues and social withdrawal
• Academic decline
• Substance abuse

Wrongful Death

When hazing kills, families can sue for:

• Loss of companionship
• Funeral expenses
• Lost future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Alabama Universities Where Hazing Occurs

While we can’t comment on specific incidents without investigation, we know that hazing happens at many Alabama institutions, including:

• Auburn University – Large Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities
• University of Alabama – Major Greek presence with historic chapters
• Alabama State University – Active Greek organizations
• Troy University – Greek life with multiple chapters
• University of South Alabama – Fraternities and sororities present
• University of North Alabama – Greek organizations operate on campus
• Jacksonville State University – Active Greek system
• Alabama A&M University – Historically Black Greek organizations
• University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – Greek life with multiple chapters
• Alabama universities near Coosa County – All have Greek organizations with hazing risks

The same national fraternities involved in our current case operate at Alabama universities. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Alabama, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Alabama Families Can Recover

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to:

Economic Damages

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Educational expenses (tuition, fees)
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (for family members)

Punitive Damages

When conduct is particularly egregious, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. Waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, and other extreme hazing activities support punitive damage claims.

The Cost of Silence: Why Alabama Families Must Act

Too many hazing victims stay silent due to:

• Fear of retaliation from the organization
• Shame and embarrassment about what happened
• Loyalty to the fraternity/sorority
• Misplaced belief that “it’s just tradition”
• Pressure from members to keep quiet

This silence allows the cycle to continue. When victims don’t come forward, fraternities and universities have no incentive to change. Your courage can protect future students.

Our Promise to Coosa County Families

When you choose Attorney 911 to represent your hazing case:

1. We listen – We understand the trauma you’ve experienced
2. We act fast – Evidence disappears quickly; we preserve it immediately
3. We fight aggressively – We don’t back down from powerful institutions
4. We communicate clearly – You’ll always know what’s happening with your case
5. We win – Our track record speaks for itself
6. We protect – Your privacy and well-being are our priority

Coosa County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was afraid to speak out due to retribution. We understand that fear. But we also know that speaking out is the only way to stop this.

If you or your child has been hazed in Coosa County or anywhere in Alabama, call us now:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We offer:

• Free, confidential consultations
• 24/7 availability for hazing emergencies
• Contingency fee representation (no upfront cost)
• Nationwide service for Alabama families

We will travel to Coosa County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

The Time to Act Is Now

Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

Don’t let the fraternity or university silence you. Don’t let them intimidate you. Don’t let them get away with this.

Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re fighting for Alabama hazing victims—and we’ll fight for you.