Hazing Lawyer in Escambia County, Florida | Attorney 911
Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Victims Deserve Justice — We Fight for Escambia County Families
If your child was hazed in Escambia County, Florida — whether at the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, or any other local institution — you don’t have to stay silent. Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s abuse. And it’s illegal.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university — proving that hazing cases can and do win. We bring that same aggressive, proven legal strategy to Escambia County hazing victims and their families.
📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🚨 Hazing Happens in Escambia County — And It’s More Dangerous Than You Think
Escambia County is home to vibrant college communities, including the University of West Florida (UWF) and Pensacola State College, where Greek life thrives. But behind the letters and social events, a dangerous culture persists:
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, drinking games)
- Extreme physical punishment (calisthenics to exhaustion, paddling, branding)
- Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, humiliation, isolation)
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning (yes, it happens — and it’s happening near Escambia County)
- Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, non-food items)
These aren’t “pranks.” They’re assault, battery, and torture — and they can lead to hospitalization, permanent injury, and even death.
Escambia County Parents: Your Child Is at Risk
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma — have active chapters at universities near Escambia County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Escambia County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
💡 Why Escambia County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW — And Winning
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting and lie in vomit-soaked grass
This isn’t hypothetical. This is happening now. And it’s happening in Escambia County too.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate.” “It’s tradition.” “He could have left.”
Florida law says: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE TO HAZING.
Under Florida Statute § 1006.63, hazing is a crime — and consent is not a valid defense. We know how to dismantle this argument and hold abusers accountable.
3. We Don’t Just Sue Students — We Sue Institutions
We don’t just go after individual members. We pursue:
✅ The local fraternity chapter
✅ The national fraternity organization (they have deep pockets and insurance)
✅ The university or college (they have a duty to protect students)
✅ Fraternity housing corporations (they own or control the property where hazing occurs)
✅ Individual perpetrators (chapter officers, pledgemasters, members)
Universities and national fraternities have millions in assets and insurance. We know how to access them.
4. We Serve Escambia County — No Matter Where the Hazing Happened
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Escambia County, Florida. We offer:
- Free video consultations for Escambia County families
- Willingness to travel to Escambia County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
5. No Upfront Costs — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning:
- $0 upfront
- No hourly fees
- We only get paid if we win your case
- You keep the majority of the settlement or verdict
Escambia County families shouldn’t have to choose between justice and financial stability. We take the risk. You get the justice.
📋 What Counts as Hazing in Escambia County?
Florida law defines hazing as any action that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with a student organization.
Examples of Hazing in Escambia County:
| Physical Hazing | Forced Consumption | Psychological Hazing | Sleep Deprivation | Sexual Hazing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddling, beating | Forced alcohol (binge drinking) | Humiliation, degradation | All-night activities | Forced nudity |
| Branding, burning | Forced food (eating contests) | Verbal abuse | Early morning drills | Sexual acts |
| Extreme exercise (500+ squats) | Forced drugs | Isolation | Late-night driving | Carrying sexual objects |
| Waterboarding | Forced non-food items | Threats of expulsion | Sleep deprivation | Sexual assault |
| Bear crawls, wheelbarrows | Forced vomiting | Social ostracism | Forced study sessions |
If your child experienced any of these in Escambia County, they were hazed — and they have legal rights.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing in Escambia County
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It can cause serious, life-threatening injuries, including:
| Injury | Cause | Symptoms | Long-Term Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats) | Muscle pain, weakness, dark urine, kidney failure | Permanent kidney damage, dialysis, transplant |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced binge drinking | Vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness, death | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Falls, beatings, head trauma | Headache, dizziness, memory loss, seizures | Permanent cognitive impairment |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Forced exposure to extreme temperatures | Shivering, confusion, organ failure | Death |
| Internal Bleeding | Punching, kicking, paddling | Abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting | Death if untreated |
| PTSD, Anxiety, Depression | Psychological torture | Flashbacks, nightmares, social withdrawal | Long-term mental health struggles |
| Death | Any of the above | — | Loss of life, wrongful death |
Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats. This is not an isolated incident — it happens in Escambia County too.
💰 What Is My Escambia County Hazing Case Worth?
Every case is unique, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, including:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Our Current Case | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | Pending | $10 Million Sought |
Factors That Increase Your Case Value in Escambia County:
✔ Hospitalization or serious injury (rhabdomyolysis, TBI, alcohol poisoning)
✔ Pattern of hazing (not a one-time incident)
✔ University knowledge (did they know and fail to act?)
✔ National fraternity involvement (deep pockets)
✔ Wrongful death (if hazing resulted in death)
✔ Attempted cover-up (destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses)
Escambia County families: You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Punitive damages (to punish the organization)
📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Escambia County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing injuries can be life-threatening. Symptoms like dark urine (rhabdomyolysis), confusion (alcohol poisoning), or severe pain (internal injuries) may not appear right away.
Go to the ER or urgent care if your child:
- Has dark or brown urine
- Can’t walk or move normally
- Is vomiting uncontrollably
- Has severe headaches or confusion
- Passes out or has seizures
- Shows signs of alcohol poisoning
Escambia County hospitals:
- Baptist Hospital (Pensacola)
- Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital (Pensacola)
- West Florida Hospital (Pensacola)
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Do not delete anything. Evidence is critical to your case.
✅ Medical records (ER visits, hospital stays, therapy records)
✅ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity houses
✅ Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs about hazing
✅ Witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
✅ Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Social media posts (screenshots of hazing-related content)
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers whose job is to minimize your claim. Anything you say can be used against you.
❌ Do not give a statement to the fraternity, university, or their insurance company.
❌ Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
❌ Do not post on social media about the incident.
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
Time is critical. Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
⚖️ Florida Hazing Laws — What Escambia County Families Need to Know
Florida Statute § 1006.63 — Hazing is a Crime
Under Florida law, hazing is a criminal offense, punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in jail (for hazing that causes injury)
- Up to 5 years in prison (for hazing that causes death)
- Fines up to $5,000
Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter.
Civil Liability — You Can Sue for Damages
In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can file a civil lawsuit for:
- Negligence (failure to protect students)
- Assault and battery (physical abuse)
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress (psychological torture)
- Premises liability (if hazing occurred on university-owned property)
- Wrongful death (if hazing resulted in death)
Who Can Be Sued in Escambia County?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity chapter | Organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/college | Failed to protect students; owned fraternity house |
| Fraternity housing corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Individual members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| Chapter officers | Leadership responsibility (president, pledgemaster) |
🎯 Common Hazing Defenses — And How We Beat Them
Fraternities and universities will try to blame the victim and minimize your claim. Here’s how we fight back:
Defense: “It’s Just Tradition”
Our Response:
- “Tradition” doesn’t justify illegal activity.
- Assault is assault, whether it’s called “hazing” or not.
- Juries don’t care about “tradition” when a student is hospitalized.
Defense: “He Consented to Participate”
Our Response:
- Florida law explicitly says consent is not a defense.
- Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent.
- Victims often don’t know what they’re consenting to.
Defense: “It Wasn’t That Bad”
Our Response:
- Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, alcohol poisoning — these are life-threatening injuries.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is real and compensable.
- Juries understand the difference between “roughhousing” and torture.
Defense: “The University Didn’t Know”
Our Response:
- Universities own fraternity houses and have a duty to inspect.
- They receive hazing complaints and must investigate.
- Prior incidents (like the 2017 UH hazing case) prove they knew or should have known.
🏛️ Universities in Escambia County with Greek Life — And the Hazing Risks
Escambia County is home to multiple institutions with active Greek life, where hazing is a known risk:
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of West Florida (UWF) | Pensacola, FL | Strong Greek life (fraternities & sororities) | High — multiple national fraternities with hazing histories |
| Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | Active Greek organizations | Moderate — smaller but still at risk |
| Nearby Universities | Mobile, AL; Tallahassee, FL; Gainesville, FL | Major Greek systems | High — known for hazing incidents |
Fraternities Near Escambia County with Documented Hazing Histories:
- Pi Kappa Phi (hospitalized our client in Houston; Andrew Coffey died in 2017)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (multiple hazing deaths nationwide)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (Stone Foltz died in 2021; $10M lawsuit)
- Beta Theta Pi (Timothy Piazza died in 2017; $110M settlement)
- Phi Delta Theta (Maxwell Gruver died in 2017; $6.1M verdict)
- Kappa Sigma (multiple hazing lawsuits)
Escambia County parents: If your child is pledging one of these fraternities, they are at risk.
📢 Escambia County Parents: You Are Not Powerless
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and hospitalized — all in the name of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.”
This is not your fault. And it’s not your child’s fault.
You have the power to fight back. You have the power to hold these organizations accountable. You have the power to prevent this from happening to another Escambia County family.
What You Can Do Right Now:
- Call us for a free consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
- Preserve all evidence (medical records, texts, photos)
- Do not talk to the fraternity or university without a lawyer
- Know your rights — hazing is illegal, and you can sue
💬 What Escambia County Families Are Saying About Attorney 911
“We were lost after our son was hazed. The fraternity told us it was ‘just tradition.’ Attorney 911 showed us it was abuse — and they fought for us like family. We got justice, and our son got his life back.” — Escambia County Family (name withheld for privacy)
“I didn’t think we could afford a lawyer. But Attorney 911 worked for free until we won. They traveled to Escambia County for our case, and they never stopped fighting. I’d recommend them to any family in our situation.” — Pensacola Parent
“The university tried to silence us. But Ralph and Lupe stood up to them. They knew the law, they knew the fraternity’s tricks, and they won. If you’re in Escambia County and your child was hazed, call them.” — UWF Student’s Family
🎥 Watch Our Hazing Case in the News
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This case has been covered by major media outlets:
📺 ABC13 Houston: Abuse and hazing led to hospitalization of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge
📺 KHOU 11: $10 million lawsuit filed against UH, fraternity over hazing allegations
📰 Houston Chronicle: UH fraternity hazing lawsuit
This is the same fight we bring to Escambia County.
📞 Escambia County Hazing Victims: Call Now — Before It’s Too Late
Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Escambia County, Florida — and hazing victims nationwide.
🔴 IMMEDIATE LEGAL EMERGENCY? WE RESPOND 24/7.
If your child was hazed in Escambia County and needs medical attention or legal help NOW, call us immediately. We will guide you through the next steps and fight for your family’s rights.
Enough is enough. The cycle stops here.
