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Hazing Lawyer in Emmet County, MI | Attorney 911 Fights for Victims
Emmet County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. Now What?
If your son or daughter was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Emmet County, Michigan—or anywhere in the state—you are not alone. Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s abuse. And it’s happening right here in Northern Michigan.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university—proving that these cases can and do win. Emmet County families deserve the same aggressive legal representation.
🚨 This Happened in Houston. It Happens in Emmet County Too.
In November 2025, our client—Leonel Bermudez—was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during a fraternity’s “pledge process.” The same fraternities with chapters near Emmet County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others—have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
If your child was hazed at Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, or any school near Emmet County, we can help.
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Michigan)
Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or membership in a group.
🚫 Common Hazing Activities in Emmet County & Northern Michigan
✅ Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., drinking until vomiting)
✅ Waterboarding & drowning simulations – Torture disguised as “tradition”
✅ Sleep deprivation – Late-night activities, forced driving, exhaustion
✅ Psychological torture – Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, assault
✅ Extreme exposure – Forced to endure cold weather, confined spaces
💡 Michigan Law (MCL 750.411t) makes hazing a crime. If your child was injured, you can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Emmet County?
When hazing happens, everyone involved can be held legally responsible—not just the students who did it.
📌 Defendants We Pursue in Hazing Lawsuits
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Emmet County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized hazing | Pi Kappa Phi at NMU, SAE at LSSU |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National (150+ chapters) |
| University/college | Failed to protect students; owned/controlled property | Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University |
| Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster) | Leadership responsibility | Named individuals in Emmet County cases |
| Individual members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Students who carried out abuse |
| Alumni & housing corporations | Allowed hazing at their homes | Off-campus houses near Petoskey, Harbor Springs |
| Insurance companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Fraternity & university insurance policies |
💡 We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with deep pockets—the national organizations, universities, and insurance companies that enable hazing.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Lawsuit Worth in Emmet County?
Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have won:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million |
💡 Our current hazing case seeks $10 million. Emmet County families can recover the same.
📊 What Damages Can You Claim?
| Type of Damage | Emmet County Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bills | Hospitalization, surgery, therapy | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Future medical care | Dialysis, kidney transplant, therapy | $100,000 – $1M+ |
| Pain & suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma | $500,000 – $5M+ |
| Mental anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression | $500,000 – $3M+ |
| Lost wages | Missed work, career impact | $50,000 – $500,000 |
| Punitive damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | $1M – $10M+ |
💡 Michigan has NO cap on pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases. This means juries can award millions for the trauma your child endured.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Emmet County
✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, seek medical attention.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
- Medical records = critical evidence.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
- Get witness names (other pledges, bystanders).
- Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing.
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative.
- They may destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses.
- Anything you say can be used against you.
✅ Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- Michigan’s statute of limitations is 3 years—but evidence disappears fast.
- We offer FREE consultations—no upfront cost.
- We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for Emmet County families)
🏆 Why Emmet County Families Choose Attorney 911
🔥 We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
- Same fraternities operate near Emmet County—we know how to beat them.
💼 Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
- We know their tricks—and how to defeat them.
- We maximize settlements for Emmet County families.
⚖️ Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas)—can pursue cases nationwide.
- Dual-state licensed (Texas & New York)—strategic advantage against national fraternities.
🗣️ Bilingual Support (Se Habla Español)
- Hazing affects all students—including international and Hispanic students.
- No language barriers—we serve Emmet County’s diverse community.
💰 No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee basis—we only get paid if you win.
- No hourly fees, no retainers—just aggressive legal representation.
📍 We Come to Emmet County
- Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Cheboygan—we travel to you.
- Video consultations available for Emmet County families who can’t meet in person.
🏫 Hazing at Northern Michigan & Lake Superior State Universities
Emmet County is home to students attending:
- Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI) – Active Greek life with Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others.
- Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) – Smaller but active Greek organizations.
- Other Michigan universities – Many Emmet County students attend University of Michigan, Michigan State, Central Michigan, and Western Michigan, where hazing is a known issue.
🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Emmet County
- Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities
- Bruises, exhaustion, or unexplained injuries
- Avoiding calls/texts from family
- Sudden academic decline or withdrawal
- Fear of speaking about experiences
If you suspect hazing, call us immediately.
📞 Emmet County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation
📍 Serving Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and all of Emmet County, MI
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
💡 What Happens When You Call?
- Free, confidential case review – No obligation.
- Immediate evidence preservation – We protect your rights.
- Aggressive legal strategy – We sue everyone responsible.
- Maximum compensation – We fight for what you deserve.
⚠️ Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.
🎯 Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Emmet County
❓ Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?
Yes. Michigan law (MCL 750.411t) says consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
❓ What if the hazing didn’t cause serious injury?
You can still sue for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages. Hazing itself is illegal, regardless of injury severity.
❓ Can I sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
Yes. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. If it was part of a fraternity/sorority event, the organization can be held liable.
❓ How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Michigan?
3 years from the date of injury. But evidence disappears fast—call us immediately.
❓ What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear speaking out—we ensure their safety and privacy.
❓ How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—you pay only if we win.
🏆 Our Promise to Emmet County Families
“We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it in court right now. If your child was hazed in Emmet County, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to our $10 million case.”
— Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
📌 Serving Emmet County, MI & Beyond
Petoskey | Harbor Springs | Charlevoix | Cheboygan | Mackinaw City | Indian River | Pellston | Alanson | Levering | Carp Lake | Cross Village | Good Hart
We also serve students from Emmet County attending:
- Northern Michigan University (Marquette)
- Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste. Marie)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Michigan State University (East Lansing)
- Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant)
- Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo)
🚨 Emmet County Parents: Act Now Before It’s Too Late
Hazing doesn’t stop on its own. It takes brave victims and aggressive attorneys to hold these institutions accountable.
If your child was hazed in Emmet County, call Attorney 911 today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for Emmet County families)
💡 Free Consultation | No Upfront Costs | We Fight for You
🔗 Related Resources for Emmet County Families
- Michigan Hazing Laws (MCL 750.411t)
- Northern Michigan University Greek Life
- Lake Superior State University Student Organizations
- StopHazing.org – Hazing Prevention Resources
© 2025 Attorney 911 | Serving Emmet County, MI & Nationwide | All Rights Reserved