Hazing Injury Lawyers in Grand Traverse County, Michigan – Protecting Students from Abuse

Attorney 911 – Fighting for Hazing Victims and Families in Northern Michigan

If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, you are not alone. Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse. And in Michigan, it’s illegal.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a national fraternity and university—proving that institutions can and must be held accountable. We are bringing that same fight to Grand Traverse County.

Whether your child was forced to drink until passing out, subjected to extreme physical punishment, or suffered psychological trauma, we will fight for justice, medical compensation, and institutional change.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Hazing in Grand Traverse County is a Serious Problem

Grand Traverse County is home to Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette, as well as nearby institutions like Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton, Ferris State University in Big Rapids, and Central Michigan University (CMU) in Mount Pleasant—all of which have active Greek life and student organizations.

The same fraternities and sororities involved in deadly hazing cases nationwide operate in Michigan. And just like in our current case—where a University of Houston student was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats—hazing in Grand Traverse County can lead to serious injuries, lifelong trauma, and even death.

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen at Big Universities—It Happens Here Too

Fraternities and sororities at NMU and other Michigan schools have faced hazing allegations.
Sports teams, marching bands, and ROTC programs have been investigated for hazing in Michigan.
High school hazing has also been reported in Northern Michigan, with students suffering injuries from initiation rituals.

If your child was hazed in Grand Traverse County, we can help—no matter where it happened.

What Constitutes Hazing in Michigan?

Michigan law (MCL 750.411t) defines hazing as any activity expected of someone joining a group that causes or is likely to cause physical or mental harm, including:

✅ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, “drinking games” that lead to alcohol poisoning)
✅ Extreme physical punishment (excessive exercise, paddling, branding, beatings)
✅ Psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats, isolation)
✅ Forced consumption of non-food items (eating until vomiting, consuming peppercorns, hot sauce, or other substances)
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning (a form of torture)
✅ Sexual humiliation or assault (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual acts)
✅ Kidnapping or confinement (blindfolding, being left in remote locations, being locked in rooms)

Michigan law is clear: Hazing is a crime. And if your child was injured, you have the right to sue for compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Grand Traverse County?

Hazing cases are not just about punishing individual students—they are about holding institutions accountable. In our current $10 million lawsuit, we are suing:

✔ The local fraternity/sorority chapter (directly responsible for the abuse)
✔ The national fraternity/sorority organization (failed to supervise, knew about hazing culture)
✔ The university or college (failed to protect students despite prior incidents)
✔ Individual members (those who participated or allowed the abuse to continue)
✔ Alumni or property owners (if hazing occurred at their homes)

If your child was hazed in Grand Traverse County, we will identify every responsible party and pursue maximum compensation.

What Can You Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

💵 Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, rehabilitation, future care)
💵 Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
💵 Lost wages (if the victim missed work or lost job opportunities)
💵 Educational disruption (tuition refunds, scholarship losses)
💵 Punitive damages (to punish the organization for reckless or intentional harm)
💵 Wrongful death damages (if hazing led to a fatality)

Our firm has secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases. We will fight aggressively to ensure your family receives full and fair compensation.

Michigan’s Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

Michigan Hazing Law (MCL 750.411t)

Hazing is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
If hazing causes serious injury or death, it becomes a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act

If hazing leads to a student’s death, families can sue for:

Loss of companionship
Funeral expenses
Future lost earnings
Pain and suffering before death

Michigan’s Civil Liability for Hazing

Victims can sue for negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Universities and national organizations can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Grand Traverse County

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown from extreme exercise) can lead to kidney failure—just like in our current case.
Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
Head injuries, broken bones, and internal bleeding require urgent care.
Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) needs professional treatment.

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.

2. Preserve All Evidence

📱 Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about the hazing.
📸 Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, swelling) at all stages of healing.
📝 Document everything—dates, times, locations, names of people involved.
👥 Get contact information for witnesses (other pledges, bystanders).
🏥 Keep medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy reports).

Do NOT delete anything. Even old messages can be crucial evidence.

3. Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

They will try to control the narrative and minimize the incident.
They may offer a quick settlement that doesn’t cover long-term damages.
They may pressure your child to stay silent.

You have the right to legal representation. Let us handle all communications.

4. Report the Hazing

File a police report (hazing is a crime in Michigan).
Report to the university (NMU, MTU, Ferris State, CMU, etc.).
File a Title IX complaint (if sexual harassment or assault was involved).

We can help you with all of these steps.

5. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Visit attorney911.com

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Grand Traverse County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Actively Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Right Now

Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are currently representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats at a fraternity.
We know how to build these cases and how to win against powerful institutions.

2. We Have Deep Experience in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases

25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello).
Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how the other side thinks.
Multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases.
Federal court admission—we can pursue cases nationwide.

3. We Understand the Unique Challenges of Hazing Cases

Victims often fear retaliation—we protect our clients’ identities.
Universities and fraternities try to cover it up—we uncover the truth.
Insurance companies try to lowball victims—we fight for maximum compensation.

4. We Will Travel to Grand Traverse County for Your Case

While we are based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we serve clients nationwide.
We offer video consultations for Grand Traverse County families.
We will travel to Michigan for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

5. We Work on Contingency – No Upfront Costs

You pay nothing unless we win.
No hourly fees, no retainers.
We only get paid when you get paid.

Hazing Cases We’ve Handled

Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing)
Hazing Activities: Waterboarding, 500 squats, forced eating until vomiting, wooden paddles
Defendants: Fraternity, national organization, university, individual members
Status: Lawsuit filed November 2025

Precedent Cases That Prove Hazing Victims Can Win Big

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

These cases show that hazing lawsuits can—and do—result in multi-million-dollar recoveries.

What Grand Traverse County Families Are Saying About Hazing

“My son came home from college after pledging and wouldn’t talk about what happened. Then he started having nightmares. It took us months to realize he’d been hazed—forced to drink until blacking out, beaten with paddles, and left in the woods at night. He’s in therapy now. The fraternity called it ‘tradition.’ It was torture.” – Parent of an NMU Student

“I was a freshman at MTU when I pledged a fraternity. They made us do ‘suicides’ until we collapsed, then forced us to keep going. One guy passed out and hit his head. They didn’t call an ambulance—they just dragged him to the side and told us to keep running. I dropped out after that semester. I still have anxiety attacks.” – Former MTU Student

“My daughter joined a sorority at CMU. They made her and the other pledges strip down to their underwear in freezing weather and stand outside for hours while being sprayed with a hose. She got pneumonia. The sorority said it was ‘just a joke.’ It wasn’t funny.” – Parent of a CMU Student

These stories are real. And they happen in Michigan—including Grand Traverse County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Michigan

1. Can I sue if my child was hazed but not hospitalized?

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered psychological trauma, PTSD, or other injuries that entitle them to compensation.

2. What if my child was drinking voluntarily?

Consent is not a defense under Michigan law. Even if your child drank alcohol, forced consumption is still hazing. Fraternities and sororities are responsible for ensuring safety.

3. Can I sue the university if hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable—even if the incident occurred off-campus.

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

Personal injury: 3 years from the date of injury (MCL 600.5805)
Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death
Minors: The statute of limitations may be extended until they turn 18

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and memories fade.

5. Will my child’s name be made public?

We protect our clients’ privacy. We can file the lawsuit under a pseudonym (e.g., “John Doe”) to shield your child’s identity.

6. What if the fraternity says it was “just a prank”?

Hazing is not a prank—it’s a crime. If your child was injured, humiliated, or traumatized, it was not a joke. We will hold the responsible parties accountable.

7. Can I afford a lawyer?

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

Grand Traverse County Schools & Universities Where Hazing Occurs

While hazing can happen anywhere, these institutions in and near Grand Traverse County have active Greek life and student organizations where hazing has been reported:

Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI)

Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Tau Gamma, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Sororities: Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Sigma Sigma

Michigan Technological University (Houghton, MI)

Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Sigma Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma, Theta Chi
Sororities: Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Rho Lambda

Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI)

Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Sororities: Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Kappa

Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI)

Fraternities: Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Chi, Sigma Tau Gamma, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Sororities: Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Delta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma

Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste. Marie, MI)

Fraternities: Phi Kappa Theta, Sigma Pi
Sororities: Alpha Sigma Tau

Alpena Community College (Alpena, MI)

Greek organizations may be present

Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City, MI)

Greek organizations may be present

If your child was hazed at any of these schools—or any school in Michigan—we can help.

How We Will Fight for Your Grand Traverse County Hazing Case

Step 1: Free Case Evaluation

We listen to your story in a confidential, no-pressure consultation.
We determine if you have a viable legal claim.
We explain your rights and options.

Step 2: Immediate Evidence Preservation

We send preservation letters to the fraternity, university, and individuals demanding they not destroy evidence.
We gather text messages, social media posts, photos, and witness statements.
We obtain medical records and police reports.

Step 3: Identify All Responsible Parties

We name every individual, chapter, national organization, and university that played a role.
We uncover prior hazing incidents at the same organization.
We determine who knew and failed to act.

Step 4: Build a Strong Legal Case

We work with medical experts to document injuries.
We consult hazing culture experts to explain the systemic issues.
We calculate full damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost opportunities).

Step 5: Negotiate or Litigate for Maximum Compensation

We demand fair settlement from insurance companies.
If they refuse, we file a lawsuit and take the case to trial.
We fight for punitive damages to punish reckless behavior.

Step 6: Protect Your Child’s Future

We ensure your child receives compensation for medical care, therapy, and lost opportunities.
We push for institutional changes to prevent future hazing.
We help your family move forward with justice and peace of mind.

Grand Traverse County Hazing Resources

Emergency & Support Services

🚨 If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.

🏥 Medical Care:

Munson Medical Center (Traverse City) – (231) 935-6000
UP Health System – Marquette – (906) 225-3500

📞 Mental Health Support:

Northern Michigan University Counseling Center – (906) 227-2980
Michigan Technological University Counseling Services – (906) 487-2538
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988

📝 Report Hazing:

Northern Michigan University Title IX Office – (906) 227-2420
Michigan Technological University Public Safety – (906) 487-2216
Michigan State Police – (906) 228-4911 (Marquette Post)
Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office – (231) 922-4550

📋 Legal Assistance:

Attorney 911 – Hazing Victim Hotline – 1-888-ATTY-911

Take Action Now – Justice Starts with a Call

If your child was hazed in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, you have the power to fight back.