🚨 Durham County Hazing Lawyers — Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorneys
Justice for Hazing Victims in Durham County, North Carolina and Nationwide
“Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s torture. If your child was waterboarded, forced to exercise until they collapsed, or humiliated as part of ‘initiation,’ you have legal rights. We’re fighting this battle right now in Texas — and we’ll fight for Durham County families with the same fury.”
— Ralph Manginello, Hazing Litigation Attorney
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Durham County
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. The fraternity:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he couldn’t stand
- Struck him with wooden paddles
- Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him keep running
- Hog-tied another pledge with an object in his mouth for over an hour
He spent 4 days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
This isn’t just a Texas problem. This is happening at universities near Durham County right now.
The same fraternities operate at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and universities across the Triangle. The same “traditions” exist. The same negligence allows it to continue.
If your child was hazed in Durham County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston.
⚠️ Is Your Child Being Hazed in Durham County?
Hazing isn’t always obvious. It often starts with “harmless” activities that escalate into abuse.
Warning Signs of Hazing in Durham County:
✅ Physical signs:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
- Extreme exhaustion or difficulty walking
- Vomiting or signs of alcohol poisoning
- Dark or brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
- Sudden weight loss or dehydration
- Wearing unusual clothing or carrying strange objects
✅ Behavioral signs:
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Sudden secrecy about activities
- Fear of talking about Greek life
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
- Avoiding certain locations or people
- Sudden drop in academic performance
✅ Digital signs:
- Deleted text messages or social media posts
- Joining private GroupMe or Snapchat groups
- Vague references to “meetings” or “tasks”
- Photos of extreme physical activities
- References to “Big Brother,” “pledge master,” or “line names”
If you notice these signs, your child may be experiencing hazing. Contact us immediately.
🏛️ Who We Sue for Durham County Hazing Victims
We don’t just sue the students who participated. We go after everyone responsible — including the deep pockets who enabled the abuse.
Defendants in Durham County Hazing Cases:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Durham County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Duke, NCCU, UNC chapters |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | Chapter presidents, pledge masters |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it | Active and former members |
| National Organization | Knew or should have known; failed to supervise | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, etc. |
| University | Owned property; failed to prevent despite power to act | Duke, NCCU, UNC, other Triangle schools |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Fraternity/sorority houses near Durham County |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes; facilitated activities | Durham County alumni chapters |
We sue them all. And we make them pay.
💰 What Durham County Families Can Recover
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We’ve seen:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
Your Durham County case could include compensation for:
| Damage Type | Examples | Durham County Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | ER visits, hospitalization, therapy, future treatment | ✅ Yes — past and future |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from abuse, torture, injuries | ✅ Yes — substantial |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution | ✅ Yes — therapy costs included |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | ✅ Yes — past and future |
| Educational Impact | Tuition loss, delayed graduation, scholarship loss | ✅ Yes — academic damages |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct (waterboarding, etc.) | ✅ Yes — if conduct was outrageous |
We take cases on contingency — you pay $0 unless we win.
⚖️ Durham County Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights
North Carolina Hazing Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35)
Definition:
Hazing is any activity that:
- Endangers the physical or mental health of a student
- Is required for membership, affiliation, or initiation
- Occurs on or off campus
Penalties:
- Class 2 Misdemeanor — up to 60 days in jail
- Class 1 Misdemeanor — up to 120 days in jail if serious injury or death
Critical: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.
Civil Liability in Durham County
In addition to criminal charges, Durham County families can sue for:
- Negligence — Duty of care was breached
- Assault & Battery — Intentional harmful contact
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Outrageous conduct
- Premises Liability — Hazing occurred on dangerous property
- Negligent Supervision — Nationals/university failed to monitor
📅 Durham County Statute of Limitations — ACT NOW
North Carolina law gives you only 3 YEARS from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
If your child was hazed in Durham County, the clock is ticking.
Why you can’t wait:
- Evidence disappears (texts, photos, videos)
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
- Your legal rights expire
We offer free consultations — contact us today before it’s too late.
🏫 Universities Near Durham County with Greek Life
The following universities in and near Durham County have active Greek organizations. If your child attends or pledged at any of these schools, they may be at risk.
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Durham, NC | Strong — 16 fraternities, 13 sororities | High — national organizations with hazing histories |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) | Durham, NC | Active — 7 fraternities, 4 sororities | High — smaller school, less oversight |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) | Chapel Hill, NC (~10 miles) | Very strong — 30+ fraternities/sororities | High — large Greek system, documented hazing |
| North Carolina State University (NCSU) | Raleigh, NC (~25 miles) | Large — 25+ fraternities, 15+ sororities | High — engineering/STEM focus, competitive culture |
| Duke University School of Medicine | Durham, NC | Medical fraternities | Moderate — professional pressure |
| North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) | Durham, NC | Limited — but some overlap with college chapters | Moderate — high-achieving students vulnerable |
The same national fraternities operate at these schools:
- Pi Kappa Phi (our current $10M case)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (multiple hazing deaths)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (Stone Foltz case)
- Beta Theta Pi (Timothy Piazza case)
- Phi Delta Theta (Maxwell Gruver case)
If your child is pledging any of these, they face the same risks.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Durham County
Step 1: Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor
- Document all injuries with photos
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Do NOT delete any text messages, GroupMe chats, or social media posts
- Take screenshots of all communications about hazing
- Save photos and videos from pledge events
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
- Keep all medical records and bills
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do NOT confront the fraternity/sorority
- Do NOT give statements to university administrators
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
- Do NOT post on social media about the incident
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
- We offer remote consultations for Durham County families
- We travel to Durham County for depositions and trials
🎯 Why Durham County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- We know the playbook — we’re in the fight as we speak
- Durham County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies think
- We know their delay tactics
- We know how to maximize your recovery
3. Nationwide Reach — Durham County Welcome
- Based in Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide
- Federal court authority — can pursue cases anywhere
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
- We travel to Durham County for depositions and trials
- Remote consultations available
4. No Upfront Cost for Durham County Families
- Contingency fee — you pay $0 unless we win
- We advance all case expenses
- No financial risk to you
5. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español)
- Fluent Spanish-speaking staff
- No language barriers to justice
- Cultural understanding for Durham County’s diverse community
6. Proven Results
- $10 million current hazing case
- Multi-million dollar personal injury and wrongful death settlements
- Former BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
- Federal court admission — can pursue complex cases
7. We Care About Durham County Families
- We see your child as a person — not a paycheck
- We understand the emotional toll of hazing
- We fight hard because we truly care
📞 Durham County Hazing Victims — Contact Us Now
If your child was hazed at Duke, NCCU, UNC, or any school near Durham County, we can help.
Free Consultation — 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
We offer:
- Free case evaluation
- Remote consultations for Durham County families
- In-person meetings when needed
- Aggressive representation with compassion
The clock is ticking. Contact us before evidence disappears.
🔍 Durham County Hazing Resources
Report Hazing in North Carolina:
- North Carolina Department of Public Safety: https://www.ncdps.gov
- Duke University Office of Student Conduct: (919) 684-6932
- NCCU Office of Student Conduct: (919) 530-6100
- UNC Chapel Hill Office of Student Conduct: (919) 962-0805
Support for Hazing Victims:
- StopHazing.org: https://www.stophazing.org
- Clery Center: https://clerycenter.org
- National Hazing Prevention Week: https://hazingprevention.org
Mental Health Support in Durham County:
- Duke Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): (919) 660-1000
- NCCU Counseling Center: (919) 530-7646
- UNC Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): (919) 966-3658
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
❓ Durham County Hazing FAQ
Q: My child consented to the hazing. Can we still sue?
A: YES. North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law protects them.
Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault is assault. Torture is torture. No amount of tradition makes it acceptable.
Q: We’re in Durham County and you’re in Texas. Can you still help us?
A: YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer remote consultations and travel to Durham County for depositions and trials.
Q: How much is my Durham County hazing case worth?
It depends on the severity of the injuries, the egregiousness of the conduct, and who is responsible. Recent hazing cases have resulted in $4 million to $110 million in settlements and verdicts.
Q: What if the hazing happened off campus?
It doesn’t matter. North Carolina hazing law applies on or off campus if it’s related to membership in an organization.
Q: Can we sue the national fraternity?
YES. National organizations have deep pockets and insurance policies. They are often the most liable because they have the power to prevent hazing but fail to do so.
Q: What if my child was a “ghost rush” (not yet enrolled)?
It doesn’t matter. If the organization recruited them and subjected them to hazing, they can still be held liable.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
3 years from the date of the injury under North Carolina law. Do not wait — evidence disappears quickly.
🏆 Our Commitment to Durham County Families
“We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We understand what hazing does to families. We will fight for Durham County families with everything we have, because no child should be tortured in the name of ‘brotherhood.'”
— Lupe Pena, Hazing Litigation Attorney
Durham County families deserve justice. We’re here to deliver it.
📞 Durham County Hazing Lawyers — Call Now
1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
attorney911.com/hazing
Serving Durham County, North Carolina and nationwide. Free consultation. No upfront cost.