Hazing in Alabama: A Complete Legal Guide for Etowah County Families

A Parent’s Worst Nightmare, Closer Than You Think

The frantic phone call comes late on a Thursday night. Your son, a freshman at a university just hours from your home in Etowah County, is slurring his words. Through the static, you hear chaotic voices in the background—chants, laughter, someone yelling “chug.” He mumbles something about “pledge night” and “not letting the brothers down” before the line goes dead. You try calling back, but it goes straight to voicemail. For the next three hours, you exist in a state of pure terror, unsure whether to call the campus police, start driving, or hope this is just normal college excess.

This scenario isn’t a dramatization. It’s the lived reality for Alabama parents every year when hazing traditions turn dangerous. Right now, in Texas, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are harrowing: forced consumption of milk, hot drinks, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; and ultimately, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization after his urine turned brown. This chapter is now shut down, but the physical and psychological damage to this young man is ongoing.

If this can happen at a major public university in Texas, it can—and does—happen at campuses across Alabama where Etowah County families send their children. Hazing isn’t “boys will be boys” or harmless tradition. It’s systematic abuse that endangers lives, and it thrives in secrecy and institutional passivity.

This guide is for you—parents, families, and students in Etowah County, Gadsden, Attalla, Rainbow City, and throughout Northeast Alabama. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, the legal landscape in Alabama, where Alabama students are most at risk, and what your family can do if the unthinkable happens. You have rights, and powerful institutions can be held accountable.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority.
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, immediate consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical paddling or silly scavenger hunt. It is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with a group, that endangers their mental or physical health or safety. Critically, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense under most state laws, including Alabama’s, due to the inherent power imbalance and coercion involved.

Today’s hazing uses digital tools, psychological pressure, and sophisticated evasion tactics. For families in Etowah County, understanding these forms is the first step to recognition.

The Four Pillars of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced consumption during “lineups,” “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights, or as punishment for incorrect answers during quiz sessions. The goal is often rapid, extreme intoxication. The national case of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha) is a tragic example, where a pledge was forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey and died from alcohol poisoning.

2. Physical and “Endurance” Hazing
Disguised as “workouts,” “conditioning,” or “team building,” this involves physical abuse far beyond safe limits. This includes:

• “Smokings”: Extreme, punitive calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse).
• Paddling or beatings (still prevalent despite national bans).
• Sleep and nutrient deprivation over days.
• Exposure to extreme elements (locked outside in cold, forced into hot spaces).

The Leonel Bermudez case at University of Houston (Pi Kappa Phi) exemplifies this, where extreme exercise led to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis.

3. Psychological and Humiliating Hazing
This targets a student’s dignity and mental state:

• Verbal abuse, screaming, and degradation.
• Forced nudity or wearing degrading costumes.
• Sexualized rituals or simulated acts.
• “Kidnapping” or transportation to unknown locations.
• Social isolation from non-members, family, or friends.

4. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier, using technology to control and humiliate 24/7:

• Mandatory group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp) where pledges must respond instantly at all hours.
• Social media humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
• Location tracking: Required to share live location via apps.
• Cyberstalking and harassment if they don’t comply.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations are frequent offenders, hazing permeates many groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Military Organizations (ROTC, Corps of Cadets structures).
• Academic Clubs, Honor Societies, and “Spirit” Groups.

The common thread is a hierarchy where existing members hold power over new members, coupled with a tradition of secrecy.

Alabama Hazing Law & The Legal Framework

Understanding the law is crucial. Liability can span criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and university discipline. For Etowah County families, cases may involve Alabama state law, the specific university’s code of conduct, and federal statutes.

Alabama’s Hazing Statutes

Alabama Code § 16-1-23 defines hazing as any willful act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in any organization connected to a school, college, or university that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
• Involves brutality, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any substance, or other forced physical activity.
• Involves any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct that could adversely affect the student’s mental health or dignity.

Key Provisions for Alabama Families:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class C misdemeanor in Alabama. However, if the hazing results in serious bodily injury, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. Convictions can mean jail time and fines.
• Individual and Organizational Liability: Both the person(s) committing the act and the organization can be held criminally liable if the activity was sanctioned or known to the organization.
• Consent is Not a Defense: The law explicitly states that a victim’s willingness to participate is not a valid defense.
• Duty to Report: School administrators are required to report hazing incidents to law enforcement.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case, handled by the state, aims to punish. A civil lawsuit, filed by the victim or their family, aims to provide compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. These cases can proceed simultaneously.

In a civil hazing lawsuit, we look to prove negligence. This means showing that the defendant (a fraternity member, the chapter, the national organization, or the university) owed a duty of care to the student, breached that duty, and directly caused injury.

Potential Defendants in an Alabama Hazing Case:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: Members who planned, executed, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an unincorporated association or legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: They can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own policies, and for creating or tolerating a dangerous culture. Their deep pockets often provide meaningful insurance coverage.
4. The University: Schools like Alabama, Auburn, or UAH may be liable under theories of negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing and failed to act. They also have duties under federal law.
5. Property Owners & Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, owners of retreat venues, or alcohol providers.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX and The Clery Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, universities receiving federal funds have a legal obligation to respond promptly and equitably. A hazing ritual involving forced nudity or sexualized acts can trigger Title IX.
• Clery Act: Requires colleges to report certain crime statistics, including aggravated assault and liquor/drug law violations, which often accompany hazing incidents.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires increased transparency, mandating that schools report hazing incidents more clearly and strengthen prevention education.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Alabama

History is the best predictor of future conduct. The same national fraternities and sororities present on Alabama campuses have long, documented histories of hazing tragedies across the country. This “pattern evidence” is powerful in court, showing that these organizations were on notice about the dangers.

Fatal Alcohol Hazing: A Repeated Script

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a bid-acceptance night of extreme drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to sweeping reforms and criminal convictions.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night involving a handle of liquor. Pi Kappa Phi is the same national organization involved in the current University of Houston case we are litigating.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol; died. Family secured a $10 million settlement.

Severe Physical and Psychological Abuse

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. His family has settled with multiple defendants for life-care costs.

What This Means for Alabama Families

These aren’t distant, abstract stories. The national organizations involved—Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—all have active chapters at Alabama universities. The same rituals, the same pressures, and the same institutional failures can and do occur here. When we take a case, we investigate this national pattern to build a powerful argument for liability.

The Alabama Campus Landscape: Where Etowah County Students Are at Risk

Etowah County families send their children to universities across Alabama and the Southeast. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem, history of incidents, and administrative response. Understanding this landscape is key.

The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)

For Etowah County Families: As a flagship SEC school with a massive Greek system, UA is a common destination. Its national reputation for Greek life carries inherent risks.

Greek Life Scope: One of the largest Greek systems in the U.S., with over 60 fraternities and sororities.

Documented Issues & Response:

• UA has faced public hazing allegations over the years, leading to chapter suspensions. Specific incidents often involve forced drinking and physical endurance tests.
• The university has a dedicated “Stop Hazing” page and reporting system. It publishes a list of disciplined organizations, though details are often limited.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), a fraternity with a notorious national hazing history, has faced scrutiny at UA. Nationally, SAE has been involved in lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injury and severe chemical burns at other campuses.

How a Case Might Proceed: Incidents may involve UA Police Department and the Tuscaloosa Police if off-campus. Civil suits would be filed in Tuscaloosa County. The deep resources of both the national fraternities and the university mean experienced, aggressive legal counsel is non-negotiable.

Auburn University

For Etowah County Families: Auburn’s strong football culture and traditional Greek life make it another top choice for local students.

Greek Life Scope: A large, traditional Greek system integral to campus social life.

Documented Issues & Response:

• Like UA, Auburn has suspended chapters for hazing violations related to alcohol and physical abuse.
• The university emphasizes its anti-hazing policies and education during recruitment.
• Fraternities like Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), implicated in the Danny Santulli brain injury case, have chapters at Auburn.

Legal Jurisdiction: Cases would involve Auburn Police or Lee County Sheriff for off-campus incidents, with civil filings in Lee County.

Jacksonville State University & The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)

For Etowah County Families: These regional universities are popular, closer-to-home options. Their Greek systems, while smaller, are not immune.

Local Context:

• Jacksonville State University: Has faced hazing incidents within its Greek organizations and athletic teams in the past, resulting in disciplinary action and chapter probations.
• University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH): As a more commuter and STEM-focused campus, Greek life is present but less dominant. However, hazing can occur in any tight-knit organization, including academic clubs or sports teams.

What This Means: The scale may be different, but the dynamics of power, secrecy, and tradition are the same. A hazing injury at JSU or UAH is just as serious and requires the same legal approach.

Other Regional and National Schools

Students from Etowah County also attend University of North Alabama (UNA), Troy, South Alabama, and out-of-state SEC schools. The same national fraternities and sororities operate there, carrying the same historical baggage and risks.

Fraternities & Sororities: Connecting National Histories to Alabama Chapters

When a student at Alabama is hazed by a chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, that chapter doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It is part of a national organization that has paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths, has written risk management policies precisely because of these deaths, and has a culture that often prioritizes tradition over safety.

The National Playbook: Foreseeability and Notice

In court, we use an organization’s national history to establish foreseeability. If Pi Kappa Alpha National Headquarters knows that “Big/Little” drinking nights have killed pledges at Bowling Green and other schools, they are on clear notice that allowing chapters to continue similar traditions creates a foreseeable risk of death or serious injury. Their failure to effectively monitor, enforce, and eradicate these practices can constitute negligent supervision.

Major Nationals with Documented Problems on Alabama Campuses

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Once dubbed “the deadliest fraternity” by Bloomberg, has been involved in multiple hazing deaths and severe injury cases nationwide.
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The Foltz case ($10M settlement) is just one in a long line of alcohol hazing tragedies.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU led to felony hazing laws.
• Pi Kappa Phi: Currently facing our lawsuit in Texas for the Bermudez case, and responsible for the Andrew Coffey death at FSU.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Has faced repeated hazing suspensions at schools across the South, including in Alabama.

This list is not exhaustive. The point is that when we investigate a hazing case at an Alabama school, we immediately subpoena the national organization’s records. We look for prior incident reports at the chapter in question, at other chapters, and evidence of whether their anti-hazing policies were genuine prevention tools or mere “paper compliance.”

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Success in a hazing case demands an investigative approach that moves faster than the opposition’s cover-up. Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers and crisis managers whose first goal is often to control the narrative and limit liability.

The Evidence Race: What We Preserve and How

1. Digital Evidence (Most Critical):

• Group Chats: We secure screenshots and use digital forensics to recover deleted messages from GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and fraternity-specific apps. These show planning, boasting, and coordination.
• Social Media: Archived Instagram stories, Snapchat saves, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts/events.
• Emails and Cloud Backups: Official chapter communications, correspondence with nationals.

2. Physical and Medical Evidence:

• Medical Records: From ER visits, hospitalizations, and follow-up care. We work with doctors to document the direct link between the hazing and injuries like rhabdomyolysis, fractures, or psychological trauma (PTSD, depression).
• Forensic Toxicology: Blood alcohol content (BAC) reports.
• Photographs of Injuries: Timestamped, with scale.

3. Institutional Records (Obtained via Discovery):

• University Files: Prior conduct complaints against the chapter, internal investigation reports, Clery Act logs.
• National Fraternity Files: Risk management reports, prior sanctions, training materials, and communications with the local chapter.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and punish egregious conduct. Damages fall into key categories:

Economic Damages (Tangible Losses):

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, medications, and life-long care for catastrophic injuries.
• Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: If the injury forces withdrawal from school or limits future career potential.
• Other Costs: Tutoring, transferred tuition, therapy.

Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Harm):

• Physical Pain and Suffering.
• Mental Anguish, Emotional Distress, Humiliation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life.
• Permanent Disability or Disfigurement.

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

• Funeral and burial expenses.
• Loss of financial support, love, companionship, and guidance.
• The family’s emotional suffering.

In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our Strategic Advantage: Inside Knowledge of the Defense

Our firm is uniquely positioned because of Mr. Lupe Peña’s background. He spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm, representing the very types of insurance companies that fraternities and universities use. He knows their playbook:

• How they lowball initial settlement offers.
• How they use “Independent Medical Exams” (IMEs) to downplay injuries.
• How they drag out proceedings to pressure financially strained families.
• How they argue insurance exclusions for “intentional acts.”

We use this insider knowledge to anticipate and counter their tactics, building a case from day one that is designed to win at trial, which maximizes settlement value.

Practical Guide for Etowah County Families & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Student May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme physical or mental exhaustion.
• Sudden changes in mood (anxiety, depression, irritability).
• Secrecy about organization activities; being “on call” 24/7 for the group.
• Constant, anxious monitoring of phone for group chat messages.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money for “fines,” “dues,” or “supplies.”
• Drop in academic performance.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m concerned about you. Is anything happening that feels unsafe or forced?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If they are in immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Gently encourage them to NOT delete any messages and to take photos of any injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Even if they resist, a medical evaluation documents injuries.
5. Contact an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: Once you report to the university officially, their legal team takes over. We can help you navigate this process to protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Your Rights and How to Exit Safely

You Have the Right:

• To be free from physical and psychological abuse.
• To leave any situation that feels unsafe.
• To seek medical help without fear of retribution (many schools have “amnesty” policies for underage drinking in emergency situations).
• To report hazing confidentially.

How to Exit Safely:

• Tell a trusted friend or family member outside the organization your plan.
• Send a simple, written resignation to the chapter president: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.”
• Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where you may be pressured, threatened, or coerced into recanting.
• If you fear retaliation, report it immediately to campus police and the Dean of Students.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting Evidence: Screenshots are forever; deleted messages can sometimes be recovered, but it’s harder.
• Confronting the Chapter First: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence and align stories.
• Signing University Paperwork Unreviewed: Schools may offer a quick “resolution” that waives your right to sue.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense lawyers will scour your accounts for any inconsistency.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but the investigation must start immediately.

Why Attorney911 for Alabama Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need advocates who understand the playbook of powerful institutions because they’ve studied it from the inside. You need a team with a proven record in catastrophic injury litigation, not just general personal injury law. As Texas-based Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring a unique combination of skills to serve Alabama families through consultation, co-counsel relationships, and direct representation where appropriate.

Our Core Advantages for Your Case:

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background)
Mr. Peña spent years defending large insurance companies. He knows how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We don’t just react to their strategies; we anticipate and neutralize them from day one.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—a case against a billion-dollar defendant with unlimited legal resources. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or large universities. We know how to conduct discovery that uncovers institutional knowledge and pattern of failures.

3. Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Results
We have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for clients with life-altering injuries. We know how to work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to document the true, long-term cost of an injury—whether it’s a traumatic brain injury, organ damage, or severe PTSD.

4. National Perspective with Local Coordination
While based in Texas, we are actively litigating major hazing cases like the Leonel Bermudez suit against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We understand the national patterns that repeat on Alabama campuses. For Alabama cases, we work with and can serve as co-counsel to local Alabama attorneys, ensuring you have the benefit of both national hazing expertise and knowledge of local court procedures.

5. Spanish-Language Services Available
Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish (Se habla Español). We are committed to serving all families with compassion and understanding.

Our Promise to Etowah County Families

We approach every case with a singular focus: thorough investigation, unwavering advocacy, and a commitment to achieving accountability that can prevent future harm. We listen without judgment, explain your options with clarity, and fight with every resource at our disposal.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone: Contact Us Today

If hazing has impacted your child at an Alabama university or any college campus, time is the most critical factor. Evidence vanishes quickly, and institutions move fast to protect themselves.

We offer free, confidential, no-obligation consultations to Etowah County families. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal landscape in Alabama and your potential options.
• Discuss how our experience can help navigate this complex process.
• Answer your questions about costs—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.

Take the first step toward answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911:

• Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)

Whether your student attends the University of Alabama, Auburn, Jacksonville State, UAH, or any school across the country, you have rights. Let us help you protect them.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com