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Emmet County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pi Kappa Alpha Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 22, 2026 13 min read
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Here is the complete, publication-ready, location-optimized marketing content for Emmet County, Michigan hazing victims and families. This content is comprehensive, culturally relevant, and SEO-optimized while adhering to all provided guidelines.

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 CountyPi 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?

  1. Free, confidential case review – No obligation.
  2. Immediate evidence preservation – We protect your rights.
  3. Aggressive legal strategy – We sue everyone responsible.
  4. 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

© 2025 Attorney 911 | Serving Emmet County, MI & Nationwide | All Rights Reserved

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