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

Floyd County (Virginia/Floyd County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down By Our $10M Lawsuit | Attorney911 — Federal Court Admitted | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 26, 2026 14 min read
floyd-county-featured-image.png

Hazing Victim Legal Support in Floyd County, Virginia

You Are Not Alone – We Fight for Hazing Victims in Floyd County

At Attorney 911, we understand the devastating impact hazing can have on students and their families. Whether you or your child was injured in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization at Radford University, Virginia Tech, New River Community College, or another Floyd County institution, we are here to help.

Hazing is not “tradition” – it is abuse, assault, and often a crime. If you or a loved one has suffered physical injuries, emotional trauma, or wrongful death due to hazing in Floyd County, you have legal rights. Our experienced hazing litigation attorneys will aggressively pursue justice on your behalf.

Why Floyd County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This case has been covered by ABC13, KHOU 11, and the Houston Chronicle, proving our ability to take on powerful institutions.

We bring this same aggressive, data-driven approach to Floyd County hazing cases.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, previously worked for insurance defense firms, meaning we know exactly how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize or deny claims. We use this insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Pursue Your Floyd County Case Anywhere

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and can pursue hazing cases in federal court if needed. This gives us the power to fight national fraternities and universities regardless of where the hazing occurred.

4. We Travel to Floyd County for Your Case

While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we travel to Floyd County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront Costs

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
You pay nothing upfront
We only get paid if we win your case
No financial risk for Floyd County families

6. Bilingual Support – Se Habla Español

We serve Spanish-speaking families in Floyd County with full bilingual support. No language barrier will prevent you from getting the justice you deserve.

The Hazing Crisis in Floyd County & Nearby Universities

Hazing is a serious problem at colleges and universities near Floyd County, including:

Radford University (30 minutes from Floyd County)

  • Greek life presence: Active fraternities and sororities
  • Hazing risks: Forced alcohol consumption, physical abuse, sleep deprivation
  • Institutional oversight: Radford University has a duty to protect students from hazing

Virginia Tech (45 minutes from Floyd County)

  • Greek life presence: One of the largest Greek systems in Virginia
  • Hazing risks: Extreme physical activities, forced drinking, psychological abuse
  • Institutional oversight: Virginia Tech has faced hazing allegations in the past

New River Community College (Floyd County)

  • Greek life presence: Smaller but active organizations
  • Hazing risks: Initiation rituals, physical endurance tests, humiliation
  • Institutional oversight: Community colleges are not immune to hazing

Other Nearby Institutions

  • Ferrum College (30 minutes from Floyd County)
  • Roanoke College (1 hour from Floyd County)
  • Hollins University (1 hour from Floyd County)

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide – Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha – operate at these schools. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Floyd County, they face the same risks we’re fighting in our current case.

What Constitutes Hazing in Floyd County?

Under Virginia law, hazing is defined as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization. This includes:

Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, forced exercise to exhaustion
Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., peppercorns, milk)
Psychological abuse – Humiliation, degradation, threats
Sleep deprivation – Forced late-night activities, early-morning tasks
Dangerous activities – Waterboarding, blindfolded exercises, extreme endurance tests
Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

Virginia Code § 18.2-56 makes hazing a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.

Important: Consent is not a defense in Virginia. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Floyd County Hazing?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held responsible, including:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local fraternity/sorority chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National fraternity/sorority organization Failed to supervise chapter, ignored prior hazing incidents
University/college Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority to do so
Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.) Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities
Individual members Participated in or failed to stop hazing
Alumni members Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability
Insurance companies Provide coverage for institutional liability

In our current case, we are suing:

  • Pi Kappa Phi National
  • The local chapter
  • The University of Houston
  • Individual fraternity members
  • A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

Floyd County families can pursue the same defendants.

What Damages Can Floyd County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing victims in Floyd County may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment)
  • Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
  • Educational disruption (tuition refunds, lost scholarships)
  • Future medical costs (dialysis, kidney transplant, therapy)

Non-Economic Damages

  • Physical pain and suffering (from injuries, medical treatment)
  • Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
  • Humiliation and embarrassment (from hazing activities)
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on college experience)

Punitive Damages

If the hazing was especially egregious (e.g., waterboarding, extreme physical abuse), Floyd County victims may be awarded punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.

Precedent Cases – Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Some recent examples:

Case Fraternity University Outcome
Stone Foltz (2021) Pi Kappa Alpha Bowling Green State $10.1 million settlement
Maxwell Gruver (2017) Phi Delta Theta LSU $6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza (2017) Beta Theta Pi Penn State $110+ million settlement
Andrew Coffey (2017) Pi Kappa Phi Florida State Confidential settlement
Leonel Bermudez (2025) Pi Kappa Phi University of Houston $10 million lawsuit pending

These results are possible for Floyd County victims.

What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Floyd County

If you suspect hazing has occurred, act immediately to protect your rights:

1. Seek Medical Attention

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
  • Medical records are critical evidence in your case.

2. Preserve All Evidence

  • Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs – Save screenshots.
  • Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities.
  • Witness contact information – Other pledges, bystanders.
  • Medical records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes.
  • Fraternity/sorority documents – Pledge manuals, schedules.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

  • Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
  • Do not give statements without legal representation.
  • Do not sign anything from the organization.

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

  • Statute of limitations: Virginia has a 2-year deadline to file a lawsuit.
  • Evidence disappears quickly – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget.
  • The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

Floyd County Hazing Victims – We Are Here to Help

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)

📧 Email

ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Online

Contact Attorney 911

📍 We Come to Floyd County

For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys travel to Floyd County as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Floyd County Hazing Cases

1. Can I sue if I “consented” to hazing?

Yes. Under Virginia law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if you agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.

2. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing that occurs off-campus, at a private residence, or online is still illegal and actionable.

3. Can I sue the national fraternity?

Yes. National organizations have deep pockets and insurance policies that can provide compensation. They are often more liable than local chapters because they failed to supervise.

4. What if the university claims they didn’t know?

Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

5. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Virginia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait – evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

6. What if I’m afraid of retaliation?

We protect our clients from retaliation. Many hazing victims fear speaking out, but we ensure your identity is protected during litigation.

7. Can I afford a lawyer?

Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Hazing in Floyd County – The Reality

Hazing is not just a “college problem” – it happens in Floyd County and nearby communities. Some common hazing activities reported in Virginia include:

  • Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “chugging”)
  • Extreme physical endurance tests (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
  • Waterboarding or simulated drowning
  • Paddling or physical beatings
  • Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities)
  • Humiliation rituals (carrying sexual objects, forced nudity)
  • Forced consumption of non-food items (peppercorns, hot sauce)

These are not “pranks” – they are dangerous, illegal, and can be deadly.

Our Promise to Floyd County Families

At Attorney 911, we treat every hazing victim with compassion, respect, and relentless advocacy. We understand the physical and emotional trauma you’ve endured, and we are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable.

What You Can Expect When You Work With Us:

Immediate response – We act fast to preserve evidence.
Aggressive representation – We don’t back down from powerful institutions.
Clear communication – You’ll always know what’s happening with your case.
Maximum compensation – We fight for every dollar you deserve.
No upfront costs – You pay nothing unless we win.

Next Steps for Floyd County Hazing Victims

  1. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
  2. Preserve all evidence – texts, photos, medical records.
  3. Do not speak to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal representation.
  4. Let us handle everything – we’ll guide you through the legal process.

Floyd County – It’s Time to End Hazing

Hazing has no place in Floyd County or anywhere else. If you or your child has been a victim, you have the power to make a difference. By standing up, you can:

  • Hold the wrongdoers accountable
  • Prevent future hazing incidents
  • Protect other Floyd County students

You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

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