24/7 LIVE STAFF — Compassionate help, any time day or night
CALL NOW 1-888-ATTY-911
Blog | Alabama

Etowah County (Earth/North America/United States/Alabama/Etowah County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Pike: $24M, Sigma Chi: $10M+ | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 20, 2026 12 min read
etowah-county-featured-image.png

Hazing Injury Lawyers in Etowah County, AL – Attorney 911 Fights for Victims

Etowah County Families: Your Child Was Tortured. We Will Make Them Pay.

If your son or daughter was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Etowah County, Alabama, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit—and we will bring the same aggressive legal firepower to fight for your family.

This Is Not “Tradition.” This Is Abuse.

Hazing is not harmless fun. It is assault. It is battery. It is torture. And when institutions turn a blind eye, they become just as responsible as the individuals who carried it out.

Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure—all at the hands of a fraternity that claimed to build “brotherhood.”

The same fraternities operate at universities near Etowah County. The same negligence exists here. And we will hold them accountable.

🚨 Etowah County Hazing Cases – We Can Help

Common Hazing Injuries in Alabama

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can cause life-threatening physical harm, including:
Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
Alcohol poisoning (forced drinking, binge rituals)
Traumatic brain injuries (beatings, falls, head trauma)
Heatstroke or hypothermia (exposure to extreme temperatures)
Broken bones & internal bleeding (physical abuse, paddling)
Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk)

If your child suffered any of these injuries due to hazing in Etowah County, Gadsden, or anywhere in Alabama, you have legal rights—and we will fight for you.

💰 Why Etowah County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that hazing victims can and do win big.

Our client was hospitalized after being waterboarded, forced to exercise until collapse, and struck with wooden paddles. The fraternity knew this was happening—and did nothing to stop it.

Etowah County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.

We know exactly how they try to minimize claims.

  • They’ll claim your child “consented” to hazing.
  • They’ll say the injuries “weren’t that serious.”
  • They’ll offer a lowball settlement to make the case go away.

We don’t let them get away with it.

3. We Travel to Etowah County for Your Case

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Etowah County, Alabama.

  • Video consultations available for Etowah County families
  • We come to you for depositions, meetings, and court appearances
  • No upfront costs—we only get paid if we win

4. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

Because we’re admitted to federal court, we can pursue hazing cases anywhere in America—including Etowah County.

National fraternities, universities, and insurance companies can’t hide from us.

5. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Etowah County come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide full legal services in Spanish, including:
✔ Consultations in Spanish
✔ Case updates in Spanish
✔ Document translation
✔ Court interpretation coordination

No language barriers. No excuses.

⚖️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Etowah County?

When hazing happens, everyone involved can—and should—be held accountable.

1. The Fraternity or Sorority Chapter

  • Directly organized and conducted the hazing
  • Failed to stop dangerous activities
  • Covered up abuse to protect their reputation

2. The National Organization

  • Knew about hazing risks (our case involves a fraternity with a prior hazing death)
  • Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
  • Allowed a toxic culture to continue

3. The University or College

  • Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred (many universities own fraternity houses)
  • Knew or should have known about hazing (Etowah County schools have a duty to protect students)
  • Failed to investigate or discipline offenders

4. Individual Members & Officers

  • Participated in hazing
  • Failed to stop it
  • Covered it up

5. Alumni & Hosts

  • Allowed hazing at their homes
  • Provided alcohol or dangerous conditions

We sue them all.

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

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening, even if your child “seems fine.” Some conditions, like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), may not show symptoms right away.

Go to the ER if your child has:
✔ Severe muscle pain or weakness
✔ Dark or brown urine (sign of kidney damage)
✔ Confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
✔ Difficulty breathing
✔ Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, slow breathing, blue skin)

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:
Text messages & group chats (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
Photos & videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the location
Social media posts (even if deleted, screenshots help)
Medical records & bills
Witness names & contact info

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

  • They will try to control the narrative.
  • They will pressure your child to stay quiet.
  • They will destroy evidence if they can.

Let us handle all communication.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 – Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We will:
Evaluate your case for free
Explain your legal rights
Fight for maximum compensation
Hold every responsible party accountable

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Etowah County?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including compensation for:

Type of Damage What It Covers Potential Value
Medical Bills Hospital stays, ER visits, surgery, therapy $50,000 – $500,000+
Future Medical Care Dialysis, kidney transplant, ongoing treatment $100,000 – $1M+
Lost Wages Time missed from work or internships $10,000 – $100,000+
Pain & Suffering Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD $100,000 – $5M+
Punitive Damages Punishment for egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, etc.) $1M – $10M+

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts

Case Fraternity Injury Outcome
Stone Foltz (2021) Pi Kappa Alpha Death (alcohol poisoning) $10.1 Million
Maxwell Gruver (2017) Phi Delta Theta Death (BAC 0.495) $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
Timothy Piazza (2017) Beta Theta Pi Death (traumatic brain injury) $110 Million+ Settlement
Our Current Case Pi Kappa Phi Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure $10 Million Lawsuit Pending

Etowah County families can win the same justice.

🔥 Why Etowah County Families Trust Attorney 911

1. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial

Many personal injury lawyers avoid trials and pressure victims into lowball settlements.

We don’t.

We have 25+ years of trial experience, including federal court cases and multi-million-dollar verdicts. If the insurance companies won’t pay what your case is worth, we will take them to court.

2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities and universities will claim:
“Your child agreed to participate.”
“They knew the risks.”
“It’s just tradition.”

Alabama law says: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE.

  • Hazing is illegal, even if the victim “agreed” to it.
  • Universities and fraternities have a duty to protect students, regardless of consent.

3. We’ve Beaten These Defendants Before

We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi—the same fraternity that killed Andrew Coffey in 2017 and hospitalized our client in 2025.

They knew this was happening. They did nothing. Now they will pay.

4. We Fight for Etowah County Families Like Family

We don’t see you as just another case. We see you as family.

  • We answer your calls 24/7.
  • We keep you updated every step of the way.
  • We fight as hard for you as we would for our own children.

📞 Etowah County Hazing Victims – Call Now

Free Consultation – No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Serving Etowah County, Gadsden, and all of Alabama.

🚨 Don’t Wait – Evidence Disappears

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in Alabama). The longer you wait:
Witnesses forget details.
Evidence gets deleted.
The fraternity destroys records.
Your legal rights expire.

Call us today. We will fight for justice.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Etowah County

Q: What qualifies as hazing in Alabama?

A: Alabama law defines hazing as any activity that risks mental or physical harm for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. This includes:
Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
Sleep deprivation
Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
Sexual assault or harassment

Q: Can I sue if my child “consented” to hazing?

A: Yes. Alabama law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, or university can still be held liable.

Q: How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in Alabama?

A: Typically 2 years from the date of the injury. However, some exceptions may apply (such as if the victim was a minor). Do not wait—contact us immediately.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it was part of a fraternity, sorority, or university-affiliated activity, the organization can be held responsible.

Q: Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?

A: No. Alabama has anti-retaliation laws protecting students who report hazing. Additionally, we protect our clients’ identities when possible.

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

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing.

🏆 Etowah County Hazing Lawyers – We Fight for Justice

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™

📍 Serving Etowah County, Gadsden, and all of Alabama
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We don’t just talk about justice. We fight for it.

Share this article:

Need Legal Help?

Free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Ready to Fight for Your Rights?

Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don't get paid unless we win your case.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911