🛡️ Hazing Victims in Gaston County: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
Gaston County families: If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Gaston County, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we are ready to bring the same aggressive representation to Gaston County.
While we are based in Texas, our attorneys are licensed to practice in federal court and can represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Gaston County. We will travel to Gaston County for client meetings, depositions, and trials — and we offer free, confidential consultations by phone or video.
Call us 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
🚨 What Is Hazing? Recognizing the Signs in Gaston County
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. In North Carolina, hazing is a crime — and it happens right here in Gaston County.
Common hazing activities reported at universities near Gaston County include:
- Forced alcohol consumption — binge drinking, drinking games, “drink until you vomit”
- Extreme physical exertion — 500 squats, 100 pushups, marathon workouts until collapse
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning — spraying with hoses, submerging in water
- Forced eating — consuming large amounts of food, milk, or non-food items until vomiting
- Sleep deprivation — late-night activities, forced driving, early morning workouts
- Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, branding, burning
- Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, isolation, threats
- Sexual abuse — forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
If your child experienced any of these at a Gaston County-area institution, they may be a victim of hazing — and they may have a legal claim.
💔 The Hazing Crisis in North Carolina and Near Gaston County
Hazing is not just a problem in Texas. It happens at universities and colleges across North Carolina — including near Gaston County.
Universities Near Gaston County with Greek Life and Hazing Risks:
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Hazing History |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) | Charlotte, NC (~30 min from Gaston County) | Strong Greek system | Documented hazing incidents |
| Winthrop University | Rock Hill, SC (~45 min from Gaston County) | Active Greek organizations | Hazing reports |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC (~30 min) | Greek life | Hazing concerns |
| Johnson C. Smith University | Charlotte, NC (~30 min) | Historically Black Greek organizations | Hazing in Divine 9 organizations |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, NC (~50 min) | Greek life | Hazing reports |
| Catawba College | Salisbury, NC (~1 hour) | Greek organizations | Hazing incidents reported |
The same national fraternities and sororities operate at these universities as at schools nationwide — including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others with documented hazing histories.
Gaston County families: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these schools, they face the same risks we’re fighting in our current $10 million case.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Gaston County Hazing Victim
North Carolina Hazing Laws
Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-35, hazing is a Class 2 misdemeanor. If the hazing results in serious injury or death, the penalties increase.
Key provisions:
- No consent defense — Even if your child agreed to participate, consent is not a legal defense.
- Individual and organizational liability — Both students and organizations can be held criminally and civilly liable.
- University reporting requirements — Universities must report hazing incidents.
Civil Liability for Hazing in Gaston County
In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses — hospital bills, therapy, future treatment
- Pain and suffering — physical and emotional trauma
- Lost wages — time missed from work or school
- Educational disruption — impact on grades, scholarships, degree progress
- Punitive damages — to punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing
Who can be sued in Gaston County hazing cases?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to supervise chapter; knew or should have known about hazing |
| University or college | Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority; premises liability if hazing occurred on campus property |
| Individual members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes; facilitated activities |
| Insurance companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability |
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions — Gaston County Victims Can Too
Hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Here are just a few recent examples:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State (OH) | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State (LA) | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State (PA) | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston (TX) | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending (our case) |
Gaston County families: These results are possible for you too. If your child was hazed at a university near Gaston County, we will fight for maximum compensation.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Gaston County Parents Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It causes real, life-threatening injuries.
Common Medical Consequences of Hazing:
| Injury | Cause | Symptoms | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls) | Severe muscle pain, dark urine, inability to move, kidney failure | Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Rhabdomyolysis; dehydration | Nausea, fatigue, swelling, confusion | Permanent kidney damage, lifelong monitoring |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking, binge drinking | Confusion, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness, death | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Falls, beatings, being struck | Headache, dizziness, memory loss, mood changes | Permanent cognitive impairment, disability |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to cold/heat | Shivering, confusion, loss of consciousness | Organ damage, death |
| Heat Stroke | Extreme physical activity in heat | High body temperature, nausea, fainting | Organ failure, death |
| Fractures/Sprains | Physical abuse, falls | Pain, swelling, inability to use limb | Permanent disability, arthritis |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Psychological torture | Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, panic attacks | Long-term therapy, medication, disability |
| Sexual Assault Injuries | Sexual abuse during hazing | Physical trauma, STIs, pregnancy | Long-term psychological harm, physical complications |
In our current case, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats and other extreme exercises.
Gaston County parents: If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms after pledging, seek medical attention immediately — and contact us.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Gaston County
Immediate Steps:
- Seek medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Preserve all evidence — Save text messages, social media posts, photos, videos, and witness contact information.
- Do not sign anything — The organization may try to get you to sign a waiver or settlement.
- Do not post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you.
- Contact an attorney — Call Attorney 911 immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911
Evidence to Preserve:
| Evidence Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical records | Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results |
| Photos/videos | Injuries, hazing activities, locations |
| Communications | Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails |
| Witness information | Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition/fees paid |
🔍 How We Investigate Gaston County Hazing Cases
At Attorney 911, we have 25+ years of litigation experience and a proven track record of winning multi-million dollar cases. Here’s how we build strong hazing cases for Gaston County families:
- Immediate evidence preservation — We send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they save all evidence.
- Medical expert consultation — We work with doctors to document injuries and calculate future medical needs.
- Witness interviews — We identify and interview other pledges and witnesses.
- Institutional records requests — We obtain university policies, Greek life oversight records, and prior hazing reports.
- Pattern evidence discovery — We uncover prior hazing incidents at the same chapter or university.
- Insurance policy analysis — We identify all available insurance coverage.
- Asset investigation — We determine what defendants can pay.
- Aggressive litigation — We file lawsuits, take depositions, and prepare for trial.
We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers. We fight for maximum compensation for Gaston County families.
🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Gaston County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
We are not just talking about hazing — we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This gives us real-time experience with the latest hazing tactics and defenses.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how insurance companies value claims, delay cases, and try to minimize payouts — and we know how to beat them.
3. Nationwide Representation for Gaston County Victims
While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Gaston County. We will:
- Travel to Gaston County for client meetings and depositions
- Offer free video consultations
- Handle all communications with defendants and insurance companies
- Fight for maximum compensation no matter where you are
4. Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to practice in federal court, which allows us to pursue cases involving national fraternities and universities across state lines.
5. Dual-State Bar Licenses
Ralph Manginello is licensed in Texas and New York — giving us strategic advantages for cases involving national organizations headquartered in different states.
6. Proven Track Record in Complex Litigation
- BP Texas City explosion — Mass tort litigation against BP
- Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts and settlements
- Federal civil rights cases — including First Amendment retaliation
- Hundreds of successful criminal defense cases — aggressive evidence-challenging approach
7. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Gaston County Families
We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
Contingency fee for Gaston County hazing victims: You pay $0 unless we recover compensation for you.
8. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide bilingual legal services to Gaston County families.
9. We Care About Your Child — Not Just the Case
We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the emotional trauma hazing causes, and we are committed to helping your family recover — physically, emotionally, and financially.
📞 Contact Attorney 911 — Free Consultation for Gaston County Hazing Victims
If your child has been hazed at a university near Gaston County, call us immediately. The clock is ticking — you have limited time to act.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations
✅ Video and phone consultations for Gaston County families
✅ Willingness to travel to Gaston County
✅ Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront
✅ Bilingual services (Spanish available)
🚫 To Fraternities and Sororities Near Gaston County: We Are Coming For You
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and all other Greek organizations operating near Gaston County:
We are watching. We are tracking your chapters. We know your history.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts and settlements nationwide apply to your Gaston County chapters.
If you haze students in Gaston County, we will find every liable entity — the national organization, the housing corporation, the alumni chapter, and every individual member.
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ To Universities Near Gaston County: The Same Liability Applies to You
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Winthrop University, Queens University, Johnson C. Smith University, Gardner-Webb University, Catawba College — and all other institutions near Gaston County:
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. They knew about prior hazing incidents and failed to act. They are now facing a $10 million lawsuit.
If your university owns or controls Greek housing, if you have prior hazing incidents, or if you fail to implement real oversight — you face the same liability.
We will hold you accountable.
🎯 Our Mission for Gaston County Hazing Victims
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
We are not just fighting for Leonel Bermudez. We are fighting for every hazing victim in Gaston County and across America.
Our mission:
- Hold every liable party accountable — individuals, chapters, nationals, universities
- Secure maximum compensation for victims and their families
- Change the culture that allows hazing to continue
- Prevent the next tragedy — because if we don’t, who will?
📅 Time Is Critical — Gaston County Families Must Act Now
Statute of Limitations in North Carolina:
- Personal injury: 3 years from date of injury
- Wrongful death: 2 years from date of death
Do not wait until it’s too late. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Memories fade. Your legal rights expire.
Call Attorney 911 today: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
🔗 Additional Resources for Gaston County Families
- StopHazing.org — Research and education on hazing prevention
- HazingPrevention.org — Resources for students and parents
- North Carolina General Statute § 14-35 — State hazing law
- Attorney 911 Hazing Video Library — Educational content on hazing litigation
Gaston County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Fight for You.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free, confidential consultation.
