Hazing Injury Lawyers in Crawford County, Indiana | Attorney 911

Justice for Hazing Victims in Crawford County

If your child has been injured, hospitalized, or traumatized due to hazing at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Crawford County, Indiana, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is a national hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, and we are committed to holding institutions accountable—no matter where the abuse occurred.

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure due to extreme physical abuse, waterboarding, and forced consumption. The same fraternities and universities operate near Crawford County, and we will fight for your family with the same determination.

Why Crawford County Families Choose Attorney 911

✅ Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience – We are currently pursuing a $10 million lawsuit against a major fraternity and university, proving we know how to win these cases.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize claims—and we know how to fight back.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue cases in federal court, giving us strategic advantages against national fraternities and universities.
✅ Dual-State Bar Admission – Licensed in Texas and New York, allowing us to take on national organizations headquartered anywhere.
✅ Se Habla Español – Bilingual representation for Spanish-speaking families.
✅ Contingency Fee Representation – No upfront costs. We only get paid if we win your case.
✅ Willingness to Travel – We will come to Crawford County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

The Hazing Crisis in Crawford County & Beyond

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture—and it happens at colleges and universities near Crawford County, including:

• Indiana University Bloomington (Greek life, sports teams, clubs)
• Purdue University (Greek life, marching band, ROTC)
• University of Southern Indiana (Greek life, student organizations)
• Vincennes University (Greek life, athletics)
• Ivy Tech Community College (student organizations)

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and others—have active chapters near Crawford County. If your child was hazed, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Constitutes Hazing in Indiana?

Indiana law defines hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:

🔴 Physical Abuse – Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
🔴 Forced Consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances to the point of vomiting or injury
🔴 Psychological Abuse – Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats, isolation
🔴 Sexual Abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
🔴 Waterboarding & Simulated Drowning – A form of torture
🔴 Extreme Physical Punishment – 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, “suicides”

If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed—and the organization, university, and individuals responsible must be held accountable.

Our Current Hazing Case: A Warning to Crawford County Fraternities & Universities

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston – $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

What Happened:
A University of Houston fraternity pledge was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse, including:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout
• Result: Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring 4 days of hospitalization

Why This Matters to Crawford County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide, including near Crawford County.
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Indiana schools.
• Universities near Crawford County face the same liability failures as UH.
• If your child is being hazed, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston.

Current Status:

• $10 million lawsuit filed against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members.
• Chapter permanently closed by the national organization—but they’re already planning to return.
• Criminal investigation ongoing—hazing can be a felony in Indiana.

This is not just a Texas problem. It’s a Crawford County problem. It’s an Indiana problem. It’s an American problem.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Crawford County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

In our current case, we are suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The local UH chapter
• The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
• Individual fraternity members
• A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

Crawford County families can pursue the same defendants.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Crawford County

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Follow these steps immediately:

🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Attention

• If your child is injured, take them to the emergency room immediately.
• Even if injuries seem minor, document everything medically—hazing can cause long-term physical and psychological damage.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure (like our client) can be life-threatening.

📸 Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
• Get witness names and contact information.
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing.
• Do NOT post about the incident on social media.

🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• Do NOT sign anything from the organization or university.
• Do NOT give a statement to their lawyers or insurance companies.
• Do NOT confront the fraternity/sorority leadership—they will destroy evidence and coordinate their story.
• Everything you say can be used against you.

📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

• Free, confidential consultation – We will evaluate your case at no cost.
• No upfront fees – We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
• We handle everything – From evidence preservation to negotiations to trial.
• We will travel to Crawford County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Damages You Can Recover in a Crawford County Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims and their families can pursue economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

✔ Medical bills (past, present, and future)
✔ Hospitalization costs
✔ Therapy and counseling for PTSD, anxiety, depression
✔ Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
✔ Educational disruption (tuition, scholarship loss)
✔ Future medical expenses (dialysis, kidney transplant, etc.)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

✔ Physical pain and suffering from injuries
✔ Emotional distress (fear, humiliation, trauma)
✔ Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✔ Loss of enjoyment of life
✔ Disfigurement or permanent scarring

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

If the hazing involved torture, extreme physical abuse, or reckless disregard for safety, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future misconduct.

Our current case seeks $10 million—proving that hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims.

Indiana Hazing Laws: What Crawford County Families Need to Know

Indiana’s Hazing Law (IC 35-42-2-2)

Indiana law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 180 days in jail
• Fines up to $1,000

If hazing causes serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by:

• 6 months to 2.5 years in prison
• Fines up to $10,000

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization and individuals accountable.

Civil Lawsuits for Hazing in Indiana

In addition to criminal charges, victims can file civil lawsuits to recover financial compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Statute of Limitations in Indiana:

• Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

Why Crawford County Families Should Not Settle for Local Attorneys

Many personal injury lawyers in Crawford County lack experience with hazing cases—especially those involving national fraternities, universities, and complex liability issues. Here’s why Attorney 911 is the right choice for Crawford County families:

✅ We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case—proving we know how to win against powerful institutions.
✅ We have experience with rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and catastrophic hazing injuries.
✅ We are former insurance defense attorneys—we know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
✅ We have federal court authority—essential for suing national organizations.
✅ We are licensed in Texas and New York—giving us strategic advantages against out-of-state defendants.
✅ We will travel to Crawford County—for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✅ We offer bilingual representation—Se habla español.

Local attorneys may not have the resources or experience to take on a national fraternity or university. We do.

Crawford County Hazing Lawyer: Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Crawford County, Indiana, or at any college or university near the area, contact Attorney 911 immediately. We offer:

📞 Free, confidential case evaluation
📅 Immediate response—we know time is critical
💼 No upfront fees—we only get paid if we win
🚗 Willingness to travel to Crawford County for your case

Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We are fighting this battle right now—and we will fight for your family too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Crawford County

1. Can I sue a fraternity or sorority in Crawford County if my child was hazed?

Yes. If your child was injured due to hazing, you can sue:

• The local chapter
• The national organization
• The university (if they failed to prevent hazing)
• Individual members who participated

2. What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

Consent is NOT a defense in Indiana. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the organization and individuals accountable.

3. How much is my hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits can result in substantial compensation, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages (if the conduct was egregious)
• Lost wages and educational disruption

Our current case seeks $10 million—proving that hazing cases can result in significant compensation.

4. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

In Indiana, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Do not wait—evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

5. Will my child’s name be made public?

We understand the sensitivity of hazing cases. We will work to protect your child’s privacy while still pursuing justice.

6. What if the fraternity or university offers a settlement?

Do NOT accept any settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies and institutions will try to lowball you with an offer that doesn’t cover your child’s long-term needs.

7. Can I afford a hazing lawyer?

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• No upfront costs
• No hourly fees
• We only get paid if we win your case

Crawford County Hazing Resources

If you or someone you know is currently being hazed, get help immediately:

📞 National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
🌐 StopHazing.org – Resources for students, parents, and educators
📧 Clery Center – Campus safety and hazing prevention
📞 Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Support for abuse victims

For legal help in Crawford County:
📞 Attorney 911 Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

Crawford County Hazing Lawyers: We Will Fight for Your Family

Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture. If your child has been hazed in Crawford County, Indiana, or at any college or university near the area, you have the right to justice.

Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major fraternity and university—and we will bring the same fight to Crawford County.

Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We are ready to fight for your family. Time is critical—contact us today.