Hazing Lawyers in Crockett County, TN – Legal Help for Victims & Families

You Are Not Alone – We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

Crockett County families: If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Crockett County, TN, you need to know this: 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, and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Crockett County victims and their families.

The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters near Crockett County. The same universities that failed to protect students in Houston have campuses near Crockett County. The same culture of abuse exists here—and we will hold them accountable.

What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Crockett County

The Case That Shows What Hazing Really Is

In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez—a young man who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet—was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

What they did to him:
✔ Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced him to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck him with wooden paddles
✔ Forced him to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited—then made him keep running
✔ Hog-tied another pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
✔ Forced him to strip to his underwear in cold weather
✔ Threatened him with expulsion if he stopped

The result?

• 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital with kidney failure
• Unable to walk or move for days
• Permanent health risks from rhabdomyolysis

And here’s the worst part:

• Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died in 2017 from hazing at their Florida State chapter.
• The University of Houston had 8 years to improve oversight after a 2017 hazing incident sent another student to the hospital.
• They did nothing. And now another student has paid the price.

This Happens in Crockett County Too

The Same Fraternities. The Same Universities. The Same Abuse.

Crockett County families, ask yourself:

• Does your child attend a college or university near Crockett County?
• Are they in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or other student organization?
• Have they been pressured into dangerous “initiation” activities?
• Have they come home with unexplained injuries, exhaustion, or fear?

If so, you need to know:

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities have active chapters near Crockett County.
• Universities near Crockett County have the same Greek life oversight failures as UH.
• The same hazing culture that hospitalized our client exists right here in Tennessee.

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Crockett County, TN)

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “team bonding.” It’s not “harmless fun.”

Under Tennessee law, hazing includes:
✅ Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion)
✅ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, drugs—even to the point of vomiting)
✅ Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, early-morning tasks)
✅ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
✅ Exposure to extreme conditions (cold weather, heat, confined spaces)
✅ Dangerous activities (blindfolded exercises, risky stunts)

Tennessee Code § 49-7-123 makes hazing a Class A misdemeanor—punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.

And here’s the key: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter—hazing is still illegal.

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Crockett County?

When hazing happens, everyone involved is liable—not just the individuals who did it, but the institutions that allowed it.

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

• Organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledge master) are personally liable
• Members who participated are personally liable

2. The National Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter
• Knew about hazing risks (many have prior incidents)
• Didn’t enforce anti-hazing policies
• Have deep pockets and insurance

3. The University

• Failed to protect students despite knowing hazing happens
• Owns or controls fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability)
• Has institutional insurance to cover damages

4. Individual Members & Officers

• Personally participated in hazing
• Directed or encouraged hazing
• Failed to stop hazing when they saw it

Example from our case:

• Pi Kappa Phi National – Admitted they knew about “a hazing crisis” but failed to stop it
• University of Houston – Owned the fraternity house where the abuse happened
• Fraternity President & Pledgemaster – Personally directed the hazing
• Individual Members – Participated in waterboarding, forced exercise, and paddling

What Compensation Can Crockett County Families Get?

Hazing victims and their families can recover millions of dollars in compensation, including:

1. Medical Expenses

• Hospital bills (our client had a 4-day stay)
• Future medical care (kidney monitoring, potential dialysis/transplant)
• Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, and depression

2. Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work during recovery
• Impact on career if injuries are permanent

3. Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional trauma from abuse
• Humiliation and degradation

4. Punitive Damages

• Punishes the defendants for outrageous conduct
• Deters future hazing by making it too expensive to continue
• Can be millions of dollars in egregious cases

5. Wrongful Death (If the Worst Happens)

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of future earnings

Precedent Cases – They Will Pay

Hazing cases win big settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Our $10 million demand is in line with these precedents—and we will fight for every dollar.

What Should Crockett County Families Do Right Now?

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated
• Medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
• Get witness names and contact info
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing

3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

• They will try to control the narrative
• They will destroy or hide evidence
• They will pressure you to sign away your rights
• Anything you say can be used against you

4. Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims
• Evidence disappears fast (texts deleted, witnesses forget)
• The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Crockett County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Already Fighting This Battle

• We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston in November 2025
• We know how to build these cases—from evidence preservation to trial
• We have the receipts—multi-million dollar hazing verdicts and settlements

2. We Have the Experience

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how they think and how to beat them
• Federal court admission—we can pursue cases nationwide
• Hazing-specific expertise—rhabdomyolysis, fraternity litigation, university liability

3. We Will Travel to Crockett County

• We serve clients nationwide, including Crockett County, TN
• We offer video consultations for families who can’t travel
• We will come to Crockett County for depositions, meetings, and trials

4. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win
• No hourly fees, no retainers
• We take the risk—you focus on recovery

5. We Care About Justice, Not Just Money

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena

We’re not just lawyers—we’re parents, coaches, and advocates who have seen what hazing does to families. We will fight for your child like they’re our own.

Crockett County Hazing Victims – Call Now for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We are available 24/7 for Crockett County families facing hazing emergencies.

No upfront costs. No risk. Just justice.

Frequently Asked Questions for Crockett County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they “consented.” Can we still sue?

A: YES. Tennessee law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter—hazing is still illegal and the defendants are still liable.

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

A: NO. “Tradition” is not a legal defense. If the activity was dangerous, humiliating, or illegal, it’s hazing—no matter how long it’s been going on.

Q: The university says they didn’t know. Can they still be sued?

A: YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing risks (and most do), they can be held liable for failing to act.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?

A: We take this very seriously. We can:

• File anonymously in some cases
• Protect their identity in court documents
• Pursue restraining orders if needed
• Hold individuals personally liable to deter retaliation

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

A: Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Q: We can’t afford a lawyer. What do we do?

A: You don’t need money upfront. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. We take the financial risk so you can focus on your child’s recovery.

Crockett County Families: This Ends Now

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes murder.

It has to stop.

If your child has been hazed—whether at a university near Crockett County, a local college, or a high school organization—you have the power to hold them accountable.

Call us now. Let’s fight for justice together.

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

We serve Crockett County, TN, and all of Tennessee from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We will travel to you.