🛡️ Hazing Victims in Gogebic County: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
If Your Child Was Hazed in Gogebic County, You Are Not Alone
Gogebic County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. When they join organizations like fraternities, sororities, or sports teams, they trust that the adults in charge will protect them. That trust is being broken.
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “building brotherhood.” It is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture — and it is happening right here in Gogebic County and at universities across Michigan and the nation.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to hold institutions accountable. Gogebic County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.
If your child was hazed in Gogebic County — whether at a local university, a nearby college, or anywhere in Michigan — we can help you fight back.
What Is Hazing? It’s Worse Than You Think
Hazing isn’t just silly pranks or harmless team-building exercises. It is systematic abuse designed to humiliate, degrade, and physically harm students. In our current case, a student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning — a form of torture)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until his muscles broke down and he developed rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Subjected to sleep deprivation by being forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
- Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
This happened in Houston. It happens in Gogebic County too.
Hazing Is Illegal in Michigan — And It’s Not Just a College Issue
Michigan has strong anti-hazing laws. Under MCL 750.411t, hazing is a crime that can result in:
- Misdemeanor charges for reckless hazing
- Felony charges if the hazing causes serious injury or death
Hazing isn’t just a Greek life problem. It happens in:
- Fraternities and sororities at Gogebic Community College and nearby universities
- Sports teams (football, hockey, wrestling, and more)
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Honor societies and clubs
- Even high school organizations
If your child was hazed in Gogebic County, they have legal rights — and so do you.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Gogebic County Hazing?
When hazing happens, multiple parties are usually responsible. At Attorney 911, we pursue everyone who allowed the abuse to occur:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture; had prior incidents |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own the property where hazing occurred |
| Coaches/Advisors | Failed to monitor; may have encouraged or ignored hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated the hazing |
| Alumni | May have hosted hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for the organizations and individuals involved |
Gogebic County families: This isn’t about suing broke college students. It’s about holding institutions with deep pockets accountable.
What Can Gogebic County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing victims and their families can recover compensation for:
Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)
- Medical bills from injuries (hospital stays, surgeries, therapy)
- Future medical costs (ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, potential dialysis or transplant)
- Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
- Educational disruption (tuition refunds, lost scholarships, transfer costs)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns, etc.)
- Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
- Humiliation and shame from degrading hazing activities
- Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities, social isolation)
Punitive Damages (To Punish and Prevent Future Abuse)
- Awarded when conduct is outrageous, reckless, or intentional
- Designed to send a message to fraternities, universities, and other organizations
- Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million in punitive damages
Real Hazing Cases — Real Results
Hazing cases result in millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded in recent years:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Our Current Case | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Lawsuit Filed | $10 million |
Gogebic County families: These results are possible for your case. We know how to build these cases and win.
What Should Gogebic County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?
If your child was hazed in Gogebic County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire.
✅ DO THIS NOW:
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor
- Document everything — take photos of injuries, save text messages, screenshots, and social media posts
- Get witness information — names and contact info of anyone who saw the hazing
- Preserve physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing, etc.
- Do NOT talk to the organization — fraternities, coaches, and universities will try to control the narrative
- Do NOT post on social media — anything you post can be used against you
- Contact Attorney 911 immediately — we offer free consultations for Gogebic County families
❌ DO NOT:
- Sign anything from the organization or their insurance company
- Give a statement to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel
- Delete messages or posts — this is destruction of evidence
- Assume it’s not a big deal — hazing causes permanent physical and psychological damage
Why Gogebic County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
We are actively litigating a hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now. Gogebic County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they try to deny and minimize claims. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue Cases Nationwide
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, which means we can pursue hazing cases anywhere in the country — including Gogebic County and across Michigan.
4. Dual-State Bar Admission — Strategic Advantage
We are licensed in Texas and New York, which gives us a strategic advantage when suing national organizations like fraternities and sororities.
5. We Come to Gogebic County
We will travel to Gogebic County for:
- Depositions
- Client meetings
- Trials
- Anything needed to fight for your case
6. No Upfront Costs — We Only Get Paid If You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. This levels the playing field against powerful institutions.
7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
Our staff is bilingual. We can serve Spanish-speaking Gogebic County families without language barriers.
Gogebic County Hazing Cases We Handle
We represent hazing victims in Gogebic County and across Michigan in cases involving:
| Type of Hazing | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol poisoning, forced eating until vomiting, non-food substances |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation, isolation |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects |
| Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning | Torture with hoses or other methods |
| Extreme Exposure | Cold weather, heat exposure, confined spaces |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving, errands for members |
| Wrongful Death | When hazing results in fatality |
Universities Near Gogebic County Where Hazing Occurs
Gogebic County is home to Gogebic Community College, and many Gogebic County students attend universities across Michigan and Wisconsin. Hazing happens at all of these institutions.
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gogebic Community College | Ironwood, MI | Limited | Moderate |
| Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI | Active | High |
| Northern Michigan University | Marquette, MI | Active | High |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | Superior, WI | Active | High |
| Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste. Marie, MI | Active | High |
| Finlandia University | Hancock, MI | Active | High |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Green Bay, WI | Active | High |
Gogebic County families: If your child was hazed at any of these schools — or anywhere in Michigan or Wisconsin — we can help.
Fraternities and Sororities Operating Near Gogebic County With Hazing Histories
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate chapters near Gogebic County. These organizations have paid millions in settlements — and they will pay again for Gogebic County victims.
| Fraternity/Sorority | Notable Hazing Cases | Universities Near Gogebic County |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017); Our current $10M UH case | Michigan Tech, NMU |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths; $1M+ settlements | Michigan Tech |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021); $10.1M settlement | Michigan Tech, NMU |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver (LSU, 2017); $6.1M verdict | Michigan Tech |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017); $110M+ settlement | Michigan Tech |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple hazing injuries | Michigan Tech, NMU |
| Delta Chi | Adam Oakes (VCU, 2021); $4M+ settlement | NMU |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple hazing deaths and injuries | Michigan Tech |
| Sigma Phi Epsilon | Tucker Hipps (Clemson, 2014) | NMU |
Gogebic County parents: If your child is pledging any of these organizations, they are at risk. These same fraternities have paid millions for hazing — and they will pay again.
What Happens If You Don’t Act?
1. Evidence Disappears
- Text messages get deleted
- Social media posts get removed
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
2. Your Rights Expire
- Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases
- If you don’t file a lawsuit in time, you lose your right to sue forever
3. The Abuse Continues
- Without accountability, hazing will keep happening
- Other Gogebic County students will be at risk
- Your case could save lives
4. The Organization Gets Away With It
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will claim it was “just tradition”
- They’ll say the victim “consented”
- They’ll pay a small settlement and move on
- They’ll do it again
Gogebic County Families: We Will Fight for You
Our Promise to Gogebic County Hazing Victims:
✅ Free consultation — no cost to evaluate your case
✅ No upfront fees — we only get paid if you win
✅ Aggressive representation — we don’t back down from powerful institutions
✅ Nationwide reach — we can pursue cases anywhere in Michigan or the U.S.
✅ Travel to Gogebic County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Compassionate support — we understand what you’re going through
What We Will Do for Your Gogebic County Case:
- Investigate immediately — preserve evidence before it disappears
- Identify all responsible parties — no one gets away with this
- Calculate full damages — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages
- Negotiate aggressively — we don’t accept lowball offers
- Take it to trial if needed — we’re not afraid to fight in court
- Protect your privacy — we handle media and public attention
- Support you every step — we’re with you from start to finish
Gogebic County Hazing Victims: It’s Time to Fight Back
This is not your fault. You did not deserve this. And you do not have to suffer in silence.
The fraternities, sororities, and universities that allowed this to happen have money, lawyers, and insurance companies fighting to protect them. You deserve the same protection.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing case — and we will bring that same fight to Gogebic County.
You have the right to justice. You have the right to compensation. You have the right to hold them accountable.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now — Free Consultation for Gogebic County Families
24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:
1-888-ATTY-911
Email:
Website:
Offices Serving Gogebic County:
- Houston, TX (Headquarters)
- Austin, TX
- Beaumont, TX
We come to Gogebic County for your case.
Gogebic County Parents: Ask Yourself These Questions
❓ Did your child come home from college with unexplained injuries?
❓ Did they seem withdrawn, anxious, or depressed after joining an organization?
❓ Did they mention “traditions” that sounded dangerous or humiliating?
❓ Did they suddenly stop talking about their friends or activities?
❓ Did they express fear of retaliation if they spoke up?
If you answered “yes” to any of these, your child may have been hazed.
The Time to Act Is Now
Every day you wait is a day closer to:
❌ Losing your legal rights
❌ Evidence disappearing
❌ The organization covering up the truth
❌ Another Gogebic County student being hazed
Call Attorney 911 today. We will fight for your child — and for every Gogebic County student who comes after them.
Gogebic County Families: Enough Is Enough. Let’s End Hazing Together.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
