🛡️ Hazing Victims in Delaware County, Indiana: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice

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

In Delaware County, Indiana, and across America, hazing has sent students to the hospital with broken bones, kidney failure, alcohol poisoning, and psychological trauma. Some never come home. If you or your child has been hazed at a Delaware County school, fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization, you have legal rights—and we can help you enforce them.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical abuse. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Delaware County families.

📞 Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Delaware County, Indiana

Delaware County is home to Ball State University—a major public university with over 20,000 students. Like many universities across America, Ball State has an active Greek life system, including fraternities and sororities with chapters of national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and others.

These same fraternities have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist in Delaware County.

⚠️ Delaware County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child

Hazing doesn’t just happen at large universities. It happens at:

• Ball State University (Muncie, IN)
• Taylor University (Upland, IN – near Delaware County)
• Local high schools (marching bands, sports teams, clubs)
• Community colleges and vocational schools
• ROTC programs and other student organizations

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

🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Indiana?

Indiana law defines hazing as forcing someone to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of physical injury for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group.

This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – alcohol, food, or non-food items until vomiting
✅ Sleep deprivation – late-night activities, forced driving, disrupted sleep
✅ Psychological abuse – humiliation, degradation, isolation
✅ Sexual abuse – forced nudity, inappropriate touching, carrying sexual objects
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning – yes, this has happened in Indiana
✅ Extreme weather exposure – forced to stay outside in cold or heat

Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing causes serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by 6 months to 2.5 years in prison.

Most importantly: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

💔 What Hazing Does to Delaware County Victims

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries—it leaves lifelong scars.

Physical Injuries from Hazing:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) – can lead to kidney failure (like our client)
• Alcohol poisoning – can be fatal
• Broken bones – from beatings or falls
• Traumatic brain injuries – from blows to the head
• Hypothermia or heatstroke – from extreme exposure
• Internal bleeding – from physical abuse

Psychological Trauma from Hazing:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety
• Depression – feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness
• Anxiety – fear of social situations, panic attacks
• Suicidal ideation – hazing victims are at higher risk
• Trust issues – difficulty forming relationships
• Academic decline – inability to focus, dropping out

Financial Costs of Hazing:

• Medical bills – ER visits, hospital stays, therapy
• Lost wages – time missed from work during recovery
• Educational disruption – failing classes, dropping out, transferring schools
• Future earning potential – long-term health issues may limit career options

⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Delaware County?

You can sue every person and organization that allowed the hazing to happen.

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority/Team)

• The chapter that organized the hazing
• The officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) who directed it
• The members who participated

2. The National Organization

• The national fraternity/sorority that failed to supervise
• The national office that knew about hazing risks but did nothing
• The housing corporation that owns the fraternity house

Example: Pi Kappa Phi has paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths. If your child was hazed by a national fraternity in Delaware County, we will pursue the national organization.

3. The University or School

• Ball State University (if hazing occurred on campus or in university-recognized groups)
• Taylor University (if hazing occurred there)
• Local high schools (if hazing occurred in school-sponsored activities)

Why? Universities have a legal duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they are liable.

4. Individual Perpetrators

• The members who physically abused your child
• The officers who ordered the hazing
• The alumni who hosted hazing events

Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million for his role in hazing.

5. Property Owners (If Hazing Occurred Off-Campus)

• Homeowners who allowed hazing at their residence
• Landlords who rented to fraternities/sororities with known hazing issues

💰 How Much Is a Delaware County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts across America. The amount depends on:

• The severity of the injuries
• The egregiousness of the conduct
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
• The financial resources of the defendants

Recent Hazing Settlements and Verdicts:

Our current case: We are suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million after our client was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme physical abuse.

Delaware County families: These same results are possible for your case.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Delaware County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor
• Document every symptom (pain, difficulty walking, brown urine, vomiting, etc.)
• Get copies of all medical records

Why? Delaying treatment gives the defendants an excuse to claim you weren’t really hurt.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
✅ Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
✅ Write down everything that happened (dates, times, locations, who was involved)
✅ Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Do NOT delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing

Do NOT:
❌ Talk to the fraternity/sorority without a lawyer
❌ Post on social media about the incident
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Give a recorded statement to insurance companies

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Indiana)
• Report to the university (Ball State, Taylor, etc.)
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority (if applicable)

Why? This creates an official record that can be used in your case.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer

Do NOT try to handle this alone. Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim. You need your own legal team to fight back.

📞 Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

🏛️ Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Delaware County Hazing Case?

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, and we will bring the same aggression to Delaware County cases.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to work for insurance companies. We know exactly how they think, how they try to minimize claims, and how to beat them at their own game.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Delaware County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Delaware County. We can:

• Handle your case remotely via video consultations
• Travel to Delaware County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Pursue cases in federal court (we’re admitted to U.S. District Court)
• Take on national fraternities no matter where they’re headquartered

4. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions

We’ve taken on:

• Major universities (University of Houston, others)
• National fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, others)
• Insurance companies (we know their tactics)
• Individual perpetrators (we hold them personally accountable)

5. We Offer Free, Confidential Consultations

• No upfront cost
• No obligation
• We’ll evaluate your case and explain your options

6. We Work on Contingency – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

• $0 upfront
• We only get paid if we recover money for you
• If we lose, you owe us nothing

🎯 Delaware County Hazing Cases We Handle

We represent victims of hazing in:

• Fraternities and sororities (Ball State, Taylor University, etc.)
• Sports teams (college, high school, club)
• Marching bands (high school, college)
• ROTC programs (military training)
• Student clubs and organizations
• High school hazing (initiation rituals, bullying)

Common hazing scenarios we see in Delaware County:

• Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “drink until you pass out”)
• Extreme physical exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Beatings with paddles or fists
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Sleep deprivation (forced to stay up all night)
• Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, inappropriate touching)
• Forced consumption of non-food items (peppercorns, hot sauce, etc.)

📞 Delaware County Families: Call Us Now

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

We will:
✅ Listen to your story
✅ Explain your legal rights
✅ Outline your options
✅ Fight for the compensation you deserve

Don’t let the fraternity, sorority, or university silence you. We will make sure your voice is heard.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware County Hazing Cases

Q: What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

A: Consent is NOT a defense in Indiana. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Yes. Even if hazing occurred at a private residence, you can still sue:

• The fraternity/sorority
• The individuals who participated
• The property owners who allowed it
• The national organization

Q: What if the university claims they didn’t know?

A: Universities have a legal duty to supervise student organizations. If they failed to monitor Greek life or ignored prior hazing incidents, they are liable.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery.

Q: What if the fraternity or university threatens us?

A: Do not engage with them. Refer all communications to your attorney. We will handle them. If they retaliate, that can increase their liability.

Q: Can we sue if our child wasn’t physically injured?

A: Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is a valid claim. We also pursue damages for:

• Humiliation
• Emotional distress
• Academic disruption
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Q: What if the hazing happened years ago?

A: Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, there are exceptions for:

• Minors (the clock may not start until they turn 18)
• Delayed discovery of injuries (e.g., PTSD diagnosed later)
• Ongoing hazing (each incident may restart the clock)

Call us immediately to discuss your timeline.

Q: Will this affect my child’s academic standing?

A: We can work to protect your child’s academic record. Many universities have policies that allow students to withdraw from classes without penalty due to trauma. We can also negotiate with the university to prevent retaliation.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing was “just a prank”?

A: Yes. Even if the perpetrators claim it was “just a joke,” if it caused harm, it’s hazing—and it’s illegal.

🔥 Delaware County Parents: This Is Your Warning

Fraternities and universities near Delaware County will try to silence you. They will:

• Tell you it was “just tradition”
• Pressure you to “let it go”
• Offer you a quick, low settlement
• Threaten to expel your child if you speak out

Do not let them get away with it.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every fraternity, university, and individual that thinks they can torture our kids and walk away.

📞 Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Your child deserves justice. Delaware County deserves accountability.