🚨 Hazing Victims in Floyd County, Indiana: You Are Not Alone

Attorney 911 is fighting hazing nationwide — and we will fight for Floyd County families too.

If your child has been hazed at a Floyd County high school, Indiana University Southeast, or any college or organization in the region, you have legal rights. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student in Houston operate chapters near Floyd County. The same negligence that hospitalized our client exists at Floyd County institutions. And we will bring the same aggressive legal representation to Floyd County that we’re bringing to Texas.

⚠️ This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Floyd County.

On November 3, 2025, Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded with a garden hose. He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. He was struck with wooden paddles. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure — all because he wanted to join a fraternity at the University of Houston.

The same fraternities have chapters near Floyd County. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others operate at universities throughout Indiana and Kentucky. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist right here in our region.

🏫 Floyd County Hazing Risk: What Parents Need to Know

Floyd County is home to outstanding educational institutions, including:

Floyd Central High School
New Albany High School
Prosser Career Education Center
Indiana University Southeast (just across the river in New Albany)
Bellarmine University (Louisville, KY)
University of Louisville (Louisville, KY)

All of these institutions — and many more in the region — have Greek life organizations. Fraternities and sororities are active at Indiana University Southeast, University of Louisville, Bellarmine, and other colleges near Floyd County. Many high schools also have clubs, sports teams, and organizations that may engage in hazing rituals.

Hazing doesn’t just happen in fraternities. It occurs in:

Sports teams (high school and college)
Marching bands
ROTC programs
Honor societies
Clubs and student organizations
Even some workplace initiation rituals

🚑 What Floyd County Parents Should Watch For

Hazing can cause serious physical and psychological harm. If your child shows any of these signs, they may be a victim of hazing:

Physical Signs:

Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
Signs of exhaustion or sleep deprivation
Sudden weight loss or gain
Difficulty walking or moving normally
Dark or brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown like rhabdomyolysis)
Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

Behavioral Signs:

Sudden withdrawal from friends or family
Changes in sleep patterns
Increased anxiety or depression
Fear of certain people or places
Sudden drop in academic performance
Avoiding questions about their activities
Secretive behavior about their organization

Psychological Signs:

Symptoms of PTSD (nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance)
Increased irritability or anger
Feelings of shame or humiliation
Loss of self-confidence
Suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors

If you notice these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing. They need medical attention — and they may need legal help.

⚖️ Floyd County Hazing: Your Legal Rights

Indiana Hazing Laws

Indiana has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to Floyd County:

Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 — Hazing

(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) forces or requires another person:
(A) to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury;
(B) to consume alcohol or a drug; or
(C) to endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquor, drugs, or other substances, or forced conduct that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual;
in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization;
commits hazing, a Class B misdemeanor.

(b) However, the offense is a Level 6 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to a person.

Key Points for Floyd County Families:

Hazing is a crime in Indiana — Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail, $1,000 fine)
If hazing causes serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony (6 months to 2.5 years in prison)
Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still considers it hazing
Organizations can be held criminally liable — Fraternities, sports teams, and other groups can face charges

Civil Liability for Hazing in Floyd County

Beyond criminal charges, Floyd County hazing victims can sue for damages in civil court. You can pursue compensation for:

Medical bills — Hospitalization, treatment, therapy
Pain and suffering — Physical and emotional trauma
Lost wages — Time missed from work or school
Educational disruption — Impact on academic performance
Punitive damages — To punish the organization and prevent future hazing

Who can be sued in Floyd County hazing cases?

The individuals who participated in hazing
The leaders of the organization (president, captain, etc.)
The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, sports team, etc.)
The national organization (for fraternities/sororities)
The school or university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
The property owner (if hazing occurred on private property)

💰 Floyd County Hazing Cases Can Win Big

Hazing cases across America have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. These same results are possible for Floyd County victims.

Recent Hazing Verdicts and Settlements:

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

Floyd County families: These cases prove that hazing victims can win substantial compensation. The same legal strategies apply to Floyd County cases.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Floyd County Hazing?

1. The Individuals Who Did It

Every person who participated in hazing can be held personally liable. In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

Floyd County application: If your child was hazed at Floyd Central, New Albany High, or Indiana University Southeast, the individuals who abused them can be sued individually.

2. The Organization (Fraternity, Team, Club, etc.)

The local organization that conducted the hazing can be sued. This includes:

Fraternities and sororities at Indiana University Southeast
Sports teams at Floyd County high schools
Clubs and organizations at local schools
ROTC programs
Honor societies

3. The National Organization (For Greek Life)

For fraternities and sororities, the national organization can be held liable. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re suing the national organization because they knew about the “hazing crisis” and failed to stop it.

Floyd County application: If your child was hazed by a fraternity or sorority with a national organization, we can pursue the national for failing to supervise their chapter.

4. The School or University

Schools and universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable.

Floyd County application:

Indiana University Southeast — Oversees Greek life and student organizations
Floyd County Community School Corporation — Oversees high school sports and clubs
New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation — Same as above

5. Property Owners

If hazing occurred at a private home or off-campus location, the property owner may be liable.

📅 Floyd County Hazing: Time Is Critical

Indiana Statute of Limitations

Indiana law limits how long you have to file a hazing lawsuit:

Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

Floyd County families: DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire.

Why Victims Delay Reporting

Hazing victims often delay reporting due to:

Fear of retaliation
Loyalty to the organization
Shame or embarrassment
Not recognizing it as hazing
Pressure from members to stay quiet

We understand these fears. We protect our clients. You are not alone.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Floyd County

Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety

If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. If they’re injured, take them to the emergency room.

Floyd County emergency resources:

Floyd Memorial Hospital (now part of Baptist Health Floyd)
Clark Memorial Health (Jeffersonville)
Norton Children’s Hospital (Louisville, for serious injuries)

Step 2: Document Everything

Preserve all evidence:

Take photos of injuries
Save all text messages, social media posts, and emails about hazing
Write down what happened, including dates, times, and locations
Get names and contact information of witnesses
Save any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

Step 3: Seek Medical Attention

Even if injuries seem minor, get medical attention. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.

Medical documentation is critical for your case.

Step 4: Report to Authorities

Report the hazing to:

School administration (principal, dean, etc.)
Local police (Floyd County Police Department, New Albany Police)
Indiana University Southeast (if applicable)
Indiana State Police (for serious incidents)

Request a copy of any incident reports.

Step 5: Contact an Attorney

Do NOT talk to the organization, their lawyers, or insurance companies without legal representation.

Call Attorney 911 immediately:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911

We offer free consultations for Floyd County hazing victims. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.

🎯 Why Floyd County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. Floyd County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they think. We know their playbook. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach — Including Floyd County

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Floyd County. We have:

Federal court authority (can pursue cases anywhere)
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
Willingness to travel to Floyd County for depositions and trials
Remote consultation technology for Floyd County families

4. Bilingual Services

We have Spanish-speaking staff who can assist Floyd County’s Hispanic families.

Se habla español.

5. Proven Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims. Our case results include:

Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
Successful litigation against major institutions
Aggressive representation that gets results

6. We Care About Floyd County Victims

We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the trauma hazing causes. We will fight for Floyd County families because we truly care.

📞 Floyd County Hazing Victims: Call Now

If your child has been hazed in Floyd County, call us immediately for a free consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Floyd County families: You are not alone. We are here to help.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Floyd County Hazing

Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: We understand that hazing victims often feel conflicted. They may feel loyalty to the organization or fear retaliation. You can still contact us for a confidential consultation. We can explain your legal options without pressuring your child to take action.

Q: The organization says my child “consented” to hazing. Does that matter?

A: No. Indiana law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

Q: How much is my Floyd County hazing case worth?

A: Every case is different. Factors that affect case value include:

Severity of injuries
Medical expenses
Psychological impact
Who is liable (individuals, organization, school)
Insurance coverage available

Floyd County hazing cases can be worth millions of dollars. Recent cases have resulted in $6.1 million verdicts and $10+ million settlements.

Q: I don’t live in Floyd County. Can you still help?

A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Floyd County. We can evaluate your case regardless of where you live. We offer video consultations and travel to Floyd County as needed.

Q: The hazing happened months ago. Is it too late to do anything?

A: It might not be too late. Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, evidence disappears quickly. The sooner you contact us, the better we can preserve evidence and build your case.

Q: My child was hazed at a high school in Floyd County. Can you help?

A: Yes. We represent hazing victims at both the high school and college level. High school hazing cases are just as serious and can result in significant compensation.

Q: The organization offered us a settlement. Should we take it?

A: Do not accept any settlement without consulting an attorney. Organizations often offer lowball settlements to avoid larger payouts. We can negotiate on your behalf and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Q: My child was hazed by a sports team in Floyd County. Is that different from fraternity hazing?

A: The legal principles are the same. Sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other organizations can all be held liable for hazing. We have experience with all types of hazing cases.

Q: How long will a Floyd County hazing case take?

A: Most cases settle within 12-24 months. Complex cases with multiple defendants may take longer. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your compensation.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?

A: We take client protection seriously. We can:

Send cease-and-desist letters to prevent harassment
Work with schools to ensure your child’s safety
Keep your child’s identity confidential when possible
Take legal action against anyone who retaliates

🏆 Our Commitment to Floyd County Hazing Victims

At Attorney 911, we are committed to:

Fighting for Floyd County families — We will bring the same aggressive representation to Floyd County that we’re bringing to Texas.
Holding institutions accountable — Schools, fraternities, and organizations must be held responsible for hazing.
Preventing future hazing — Our cases send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.
Supporting Floyd County victims — We provide compassionate, confidential legal representation.
Maximizing your recovery — We know how to build strong cases and negotiate top-dollar settlements.