🛡️ Franklin County Hazing Lawyers: Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
Serving Franklin County, Georgia and Nationwide from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
If your child was hazed at a Franklin County college or university, you have legal rights. We’re fighting this battle right now — and we’ll fight for Franklin County families too.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Franklin County, Georgia
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities — it happens right here in Franklin County too. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters at colleges and universities near Franklin County. If your child attends school in or around Franklin County, they could be at risk.
Universities Near Franklin County with Greek Life Presence:
While Franklin County itself doesn’t have a major university, students from Franklin County attend institutions throughout Northeast Georgia and the surrounding region where Greek life is active:
- University of North Georgia (Dahlonega, Gainesville, Oconee, Cumming campuses) – 1.5 to 2 hours from Franklin County
- North Georgia Technical College (Clarkesville, Blairsville, Currahee campuses) – Within 30-60 minutes
- Piedmont University (Demorest & Athens campuses) – 1 hour from Franklin County
- Brenau University (Gainesville) – 1.5 hours from Franklin County
- Young Harris College – 1.5 hours from Franklin County
- University of Georgia (Athens) – 1.5 hours from Franklin County
- Georgia State University (Atlanta) – 2 hours from Franklin County
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta) – 2 hours from Franklin County
- Emory University (Atlanta) – 2 hours from Franklin County
- Kennesaw State University – 2 hours from Franklin County
The same fraternities involved in national hazing scandals have active chapters at these institutions. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and other organizations with documented hazing histories operate near Franklin County.
💔 This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Franklin County.
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized for four days with kidney failure after being forced to endure:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Forced eating of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Being struck with wooden paddles
- Sleep deprivation and extreme physical punishment
Franklin County families: This is what hazing looks like. This is what we fight against.
Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including at universities near Franklin County. The same national organization that allowed this to happen in Houston could be operating near Franklin County — and the same negligence could be putting your child at risk.
⚖️ Franklin County Hazing Laws: What Georgia Families Need to Know
Georgia Hazing Law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61)
Georgia has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all colleges and universities in the state — including those near Franklin County.
Definition of Hazing in Georgia:
Any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student, for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.
This includes:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse or humiliation
- Any activity that creates a risk of injury
Criminal Penalties in Georgia:
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Misdemeanor Hazing | Up to 12 months in jail, $1,000 fine |
| Felony Hazing (causing bodily harm) | 1-5 years in prison |
| Hazing Resulting in Death | 1-20 years in prison |
Organizational Liability:
- Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be held criminally liable
- Universities can face institutional penalties for failing to prevent hazing
Consent is NOT a Defense:
Georgia law explicitly states that a student’s consent to hazing does not absolve the organization or individuals of liability.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Franklin County Hazing?
When hazing occurs at a college or university near Franklin County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
1. Local Chapter Members & Officers
- Chapter President, Pledgemaster, and Officers – Directly responsible for organizing and allowing hazing
- Active Members – Participated in or witnessed hazing and failed to stop it
- Alumni Advisors – Often involved in pledge activities and supervision
2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organizations
- National Headquarters – Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Insurance Carriers – Provide liability coverage that can pay damages
- Regional Directors – Responsible for chapter oversight
3. Colleges & Universities Near Franklin County
- University Administration – Failed to monitor Greek organizations
- Greek Life Office – Responsible for fraternity/sorority oversight
- Board of Trustees – Institutional governance failure
- Coaches/Advisors – For athletic teams or other organizations where hazing occurs
4. Property Owners
- Fraternity/Sorority House Corporations – Own the property where hazing occurs
- University-Owned Properties – If hazing occurs in university housing
- Private Property Owners – Where off-campus hazing events are held
💰 Proven Results: Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Settlements
Hazing cases result in substantial financial compensation for victims and families. Here are real cases with multi-million dollar outcomes:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
| Tucker Hipps | Clemson | Sigma Phi Epsilon | $500,000+ settlement |
Franklin County families: These same results are possible for your case.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Franklin County
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Franklin County, take these steps immediately:
1. Seek Medical Attention
- Get a full medical evaluation, even if injuries seem minor
- Document all injuries and symptoms
- Request copies of all medical records
2. Preserve Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and physical evidence
- Document witness names and contact information
- Keep all clothing or items used during hazing
3. Report the Incident
- File a police report with local law enforcement
- Report to the university (Title IX office, Greek life office)
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization
4. Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not speak with fraternity/sorority leaders without legal counsel
- Do not sign any documents or agreements
- Do not accept settlement offers without consulting an attorney
5. Contact a Franklin County Hazing Lawyer
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for Franklin County families
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
🎯 Why Franklin County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- We know how to build these cases and win
- Franklin County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies think and operate
- We know their tactics to minimize claims
- We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery
3. Nationwide Reach, Local Service
- Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide
- We serve Franklin County families through:
- Video consultations
- Phone consultations
- Travel to Franklin County for meetings and depositions
4. Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue federal civil rights claims against institutions
- Dual-state bar admission (Texas and New York)
5. Bilingual Services
- Se habla español — We serve Spanish-speaking families in Franklin County
- No language barriers to justice
6. Proven Track Record
- 25+ years of litigation experience
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts
- Former insurance defense insight — we know their playbook
7. We Travel to Franklin County
- For depositions, client meetings, and trials
- Distance is not a barrier to justice
📞 Franklin County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Franklin County, call Attorney 911 immediately.
📍 Serving Franklin County, Georgia and Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
Free Consultation • Available 24/7 • Contingency Fee (No Win, No Fee)
🔍 Common Franklin County Hazing Scenarios We Handle
| Scenario | What We Can Do |
|---|---|
| Fraternity/Sorority Hazing | Hold chapters, nationals, and universities accountable |
| Athletic Team Hazing | Pursue claims against coaches and athletic departments |
| Marching Band Hazing | Represent victims of band-related abuse |
| ROTC Hazing | Military training programs are not exempt from liability |
| Club/Sport Hazing | Any student organization can be liable |
| Off-Campus Hazing | Events at private homes or rented spaces |
| Psychological Hazing | Humiliation, sleep deprivation, emotional abuse |
| Sexual Hazing | Sexual assault or harassment during initiation |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking leading to hospitalization |
| Rhabdomyolysis Cases | Extreme physical exertion causing muscle breakdown |
📢 Message to Franklin County Fraternities & Sororities
To the Greek organizations operating near Franklin County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Franklin County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
The UH chapter of Pi Kappa Phi is now shut down. The same can happen to your chapter.
Universities near Franklin County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
To Greek life leadership at Franklin County area institutions: The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
📚 Franklin County Hazing Resources
Georgia Anti-Hazing Organizations:
- Georgia Tech Anti-Hazing Hotline: (404) 894-2565
- UGA Stop Hazing: https://stop-hazing.uga.edu
- Georgia State University Hazing Prevention: https://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/hazing-prevention/
- Kennesaw State University Hazing Policy: https://studentaffairs.kennesaw.edu/policies/hazing.php
National Resources:
- Hazing Prevention Network: https://hazingprevention.org
- StopHazing: https://stophazing.org
- Gordie Center: https://www.gordie.org
Reporting Hazing in Georgia:
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI): 1-800-597-TIPS
- Campus Police/Security: Contact your university’s police department
- Local Law Enforcement: File a report with your city or county police
🏆 Our Commitment to Franklin County Families
At Attorney 911, we understand the unique challenges Franklin County families face when their children are hazed at college. We’re committed to:
- Protecting Franklin County students from dangerous hazing practices
- Holding institutions accountable for failing to protect students
- Securing justice for victims and their families
- Preventing future hazing by sending a strong message through litigation
- Providing compassionate, aggressive representation to Franklin County families
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We will fight hard for Franklin County families because we truly care.
📞 Franklin County Families: Contact Us Today
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Franklin County, don’t wait.
Call Attorney 911 Now:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Free Consultation • Available 24/7 • No Upfront Cost
We serve Franklin County, Georgia and nationwide. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Franklin County hazing victims deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Houston. We will fight for you.
