Hazing Victims in Cuyahoga County: Know Your Rights and How to Fight Back
The Hazing Crisis in Cuyahoga County and Beyond
Hazing is not just a college “tradition” – it’s a dangerous, often illegal practice that has left students across Ohio and the nation with severe injuries, psychological trauma, and even death. Cuyahoga County families must understand that hazing is not harmless fun – it’s abuse, and it’s preventable.
What Is Hazing?
Hazing includes any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them – regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. In Ohio, hazing is a criminal offense under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31, punishable by fines and jail time.
Hazing in Cuyahoga County: A Real and Present Danger
While Cuyahoga County is home to respected institutions like Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), Greek life and student organizations operate under the same national fraternities and sororities that have been linked to hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
The same fraternities involved in high-profile hazing cases – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and others – have active chapters in and around Cuyahoga County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
The Medical Reality of Hazing
Hazing isn’t just embarrassing – it can be life-threatening. Common hazing injuries include:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure) – like what happened to our client in Houston
- Alcohol poisoning – a leading cause of hazing deaths
- Traumatic brain injuries – from beatings or falls
- Heatstroke or hypothermia – from forced exposure
- Psychological trauma – PTSD, anxiety, depression
These injuries can have lifelong consequences, including chronic health problems, academic disruption, and emotional suffering.
The Landmark Case: Why This Fight Matters for Cuyahoga County Families
Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi – The $10 Million Fight
In November 2025, Attorney 911 filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez?
- Waterboarded 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 running
- Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth
- Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure
This wasn’t just hazing – it was torture.
Why This Case Matters for Cuyahoga County
-
The Same Fraternities Operate Here
- Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and others have chapters at universities near Cuyahoga County.
- If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Cleveland.
-
Universities Are Complicit
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
- Cuyahoga County universities have the same responsibility to protect students – and the same liability when they fail.
-
National Organizations Know the Risks
- Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after a student died in 2017.
- They did nothing – and now another student has been hospitalized.
- The same national organizations operate near Cuyahoga County.
-
$10 Million Sends a Message
- Our lawsuit is demanding $10 million to hold Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston accountable.
- Cuyahoga County families can demand the same justice.
Legal Rights for Cuyahoga County Hazing Victims
Ohio Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31, hazing is a criminal offense that can result in:
- Misdemeanor charges (up to 6 months in jail) for basic hazing
- Felony charges (up to 1 year in prison) if hazing causes serious physical harm
- Organizational penalties, including fines and loss of recognition
Key Legal Points for Cuyahoga County Families:
✅ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.
✅ Universities can be held liable – If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.
✅ National fraternities/sororities can be sued – They have deep pockets and insurance policies.
✅ Individual members can be held personally responsible – Including chapter officers and active members.
Who Can Be Sued in a Hazing Case?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies |
| University | Owned/controlled property, failed to protect students |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster) | Leadership responsibility, directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing, failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes, premises liability |
Precedent Cases: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Hazing Cases Win
1. Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha) – $10.1 Million
- What Happened: A student died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol.
- Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (largest public university hazing payout in Ohio history).
- Why It Matters for Cuyahoga County: Shows that $10 million+ settlements are possible in hazing cases.
2. Maxwell Gruver – Louisiana State University (Phi Delta Theta) – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
- What Happened: A student died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495 – more than 6x the legal limit) after being forced to drink in a hazing ritual.
- Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity.
- Why It Matters for Cuyahoga County: Proves that juries will award millions for hazing deaths and injuries.
3. Timothy Piazza – Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi) – $110+ Million (Estimated)
- What Happened: A student died after being forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, then falling down stairs. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911.
- Outcome: $110+ million settlement (confidential, but estimated to be one of the largest hazing payouts ever).
- Why It Matters for Cuyahoga County: Shows that when evidence is strong, settlements reach $100+ million.
4. Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi) – Confidential Settlement
- What Happened: A student died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon.
- Outcome: Confidential settlement (likely multi-million dollars).
- Why It Matters for Cuyahoga County: Same fraternity as our Houston case – proves a pattern of deadly hazing.
What Cuyahoga County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Hazing injuries can be life-threatening – even if your child seems “fine” at first.
- Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can worsen over time.
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Photos/Videos – Document injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
✅ Text Messages/Group Chats – Save all communications about hazing (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.).
✅ Social Media – Take screenshots of posts, messages, or stories related to hazing.
✅ Witness Information – Get names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses.
✅ Medical Records – Keep all hospital bills, doctor’s notes, and treatment records.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without Legal Counsel
- They will try to control the narrative and may pressure you to sign documents or give statements.
- Anything you say can be used against you in a lawsuit.
- Let your attorney handle all communications.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately
- Ohio has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears quickly – witnesses forget, messages get deleted, and universities destroy records.
- The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Cuyahoga County Hazing Case?
✅ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – Our attorneys are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how the other side thinks and how to maximize your compensation.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue your case in federal court, giving us more leverage against national organizations.
✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses – Licensed in Texas and New York, allowing us to take on national fraternities.
✅ We Travel to Cuyahoga County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✅ No Upfront Costs – We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Common Defenses in Hazing Cases – And How We Defeat Them
Defense #1: “He Consented to Participate”
Our Response:
- Ohio law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing.
- Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent.
- Victims often don’t know what they’re agreeing to until it’s too late.
Defense #2: “It Was Just a Tradition, Not Hazing”
Our Response:
- Waterboarding, forced eating, and extreme physical punishment are not “traditions” – they’re crimes.
- Courts and juries recognize that hazing is abuse, not bonding.
Defense #3: “The University Didn’t Know”
Our Response:
- Universities have a duty to monitor Greek life – especially if they own the fraternity/sorority houses.
- Prior hazing incidents (like the 2017 case at UH) prove they knew the risks.
Defense #4: “It Was Just a Few Bad Apples”
Our Response:
- Hazing is often systemic – multiple members participate, and leaders allow it.
- National organizations have a duty to supervise their chapters.
What Compensation Can Cuyahoga County Hazing Victims Recover?
Economic Damages (Financial Losses)
- Medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, therapy)
- Future medical expenses (ongoing treatment, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Educational losses (tuition, scholarships, academic disruption)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Humiliation and degradation from hazing
- Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)
- Awarded when conduct is especially egregious (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption).
- Designed to punish the fraternity/university and deter future hazing.
Realistic Compensation Ranges for Cuyahoga County Cases
| Injury Severity | Potential Compensation Range |
|---|---|
| Minor injuries (bruises, cuts) | $50,000 – $200,000 |
| Moderate injuries (broken bones, burns) | $200,000 – $1,000,000 |
| Severe injuries (rhabdomyolysis, hospitalization) | $1,000,000 – $5,000,000 |
| Wrongful death | $5,000,000 – $20,000,000+ |
| Egregious conduct (torture, sexual assault) | $10,000,000+ |
Fraternities and Sororities Near Cuyahoga County with Hazing Histories
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Universities Near Cuyahoga County with Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017), Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) | Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple hazing deaths, including at Texas A&M | Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017), $6.1M verdict | Case Western Reserve, University of Akron |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021), $10.1M settlement | Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State |
| **Beta Theta Pi |