Hazing Lawyers in Hamilton County, Ohio – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse

Has your child been hazed at a Hamilton County college or university?
You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now – and we will fight for Hamilton County families.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing—including waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and physical abuse. This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate at Hamilton County universities. The same negligence exists here. And we will hold them accountable in Hamilton County.

If your child has been hazed in Cincinnati, Oxford, Hamilton, Middletown, or anywhere in Hamilton County, we can help. Call us now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Hamilton County – What Families Need to Know

Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is abuse, assault, and sometimes even torture—and it happens right here in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Hazing in Hamilton County: The Reality

• Miami University (Oxford) has a long history of Greek life and has faced hazing allegations in the past.
• University of Cincinnati has active fraternity and sorority chapters, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others with documented hazing histories nationwide.
• Xavier University and other local colleges also have Greek organizations where hazing may occur.
• Hamilton County high schools with Greek life or athletic teams are not immune—hazing happens at all levels.

The same national fraternities involved in our $10 million lawsuit—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha—have chapters at Hamilton County universities. If they’re hazing in Houston, they’re hazing in Ohio.

💔 What Happened in Our Current Case – And Why It Could Happen in Hamilton County

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez was a transfer student who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even enrolled yet—he was a “ghost rush,” a prospective member expected to transfer the following semester.

What they did to him:
✔ Waterboarded with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture.
✔ Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls – Until he collapsed from exhaustion.
✔ Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault.
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting – Then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass.
✔ Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members at all hours.
✔ Psychological torture – Carried a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times; another pledge was hog-tied face-down for over an hour.

The result?

• Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure
• 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital

This happened in Houston. It could happen in Hamilton County.

⚖️ Ohio Hazing Laws – What Hamilton County Families Need to Know

Ohio has strict anti-hazing laws, but universities and fraternities often ignore them—until it’s too late.

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 – Hazing is a Crime

Ohio law defines hazing as:

“Doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person.”

Penalties in Ohio:

Ohio’s “Collin’s Law” (2021) – Named after Collin Wiant, an Ohio University student who died from hazing, this law increased penalties for hazing and made it a felony if it causes serious harm.

Consent is NOT a defense – Even if a student “agrees” to hazing, Ohio law explicitly states that consent does not excuse the crime.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Hamilton County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible—not just the individuals who carried it out.

1. The Local Fraternity Chapter

• Directly organizes and conducts hazing.
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.) can be personally liable.
• Individual members who participated can be sued.

2. The National Fraternity Organization

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others have millions in assets and insurance.
• They know about hazing risks (our case proves they knew about a “hazing crisis”).
• They fail to supervise chapters properly.

3. The University (Miami, UC, Xavier, etc.)

• Own or control fraternity houses (premises liability).
• Have a duty to protect students from hazing.
• Often ignore prior hazing incidents (like UH did in 2017).
• Receive funding and recognition fees from Greek organizations.

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Each person who participated in hazing can be sued personally.
• Former members and alumni who hosted hazing events can be liable.
• Spouses or property owners who allowed hazing on their premises can be sued.

5. Insurance Companies

• National fraternities have liability insurance that can pay claims.
• Universities have institutional insurance for student safety failures.
• Homeowner’s insurance may cover hazing that occurred at private residences.

💰 What Hamilton County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing cases can result in substantial financial compensation for victims and their families. Our current case seeks $10 million—and we have precedent cases where hazing victims received millions.

Types of Compensation Available:

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Proof Hazing Cases Win Big)

Hamilton County families: These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win big. The same legal strategies apply to Ohio cases.

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

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines expire.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
• Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries may not show symptoms right away.
• Medical records are crucial evidence for your case.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
✅ Save all communications – text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails.
✅ Get witness names and contact info – other pledges, bystanders.
✅ Do NOT delete anything – even if it seems embarrassing.
✅ Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity or university without legal advice.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They may destroy evidence.
• They may pressure your child to stay quiet.
• Anything you say can be used against you in court.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• Ohio has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
• Evidence disappears quickly – fraternities delete messages, universities shred records.
• We can help preserve evidence and build your case.

Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911

🎯 Why Hamilton County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these cases work—because we’re in the courtroom right now.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena) worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know how they try to deny claims and minimize payouts.
• We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.

• We are admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas).
• We can pursue hazing cases nationwide, including in Hamilton County, Ohio.
• We travel to Hamilton County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York)

• Strategic advantage for national fraternity cases (many are headquartered in New York).
• We can pursue out-of-state defendants in their home jurisdictions.

5. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• $10+ million in our current hazing case (ongoing).
• Millions recovered in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience).

6. We Fight for Justice – Not Just Money

“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

We don’t just want to win your case. We want to stop hazing in Hamilton County for good.

🏆 Our Approach to Hamilton County Hazing Cases

1. Immediate Action – We Move Fast

• Send preservation letters to fraternities, universities, and individuals.
• Secure evidence before it disappears (texts, photos, videos).
• Coordinate with medical experts to document injuries.

2. Aggressive Investigation

• Interview witnesses (other pledges, bystanders).
• Subpoena records (fraternity communications, university policies).
• Hire experts (medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence).

3. Maximum Compensation

• Calculate all damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering).
• Pursue punitive damages for egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse).
• Target deep pockets (national fraternities, universities, insurance companies).

4. Public Accountability

• Expose the truth through media and legal action.
• Pressure universities to reform Greek life.
• Support legislative change to strengthen anti-hazing laws.

5. We Come to Hamilton County

• Video consultations available for Hamilton County families.
• Travel to Cincinnati, Oxford, Hamilton, Middletown for depositions and trials.
• No distance is too far – we fight for Hamilton County victims.

📞 Hamilton County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Hamilton County, Ohio, you have legal rights. We can help.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation – No upfront cost.
We don’t get paid unless you win.

🔥 Fraternities in Hamilton County: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating in Hamilton County, Ohio:

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma – we know who you are.
• The same legal strategies that won $10+ million in Texas apply to your Hamilton County chapters.
• If you haze students in Cincinnati, Oxford, Hamilton, or anywhere in Hamilton County, we will pursue every liable entity.

The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston?

• Shut down after our lawsuit.
• Chapter permanently closed.
• Criminal referrals initiated.

That’s what happens when you haze in Hamilton County.

Your chapter could be next.

📢 Hamilton County Universities: The Same Liability Exists Here

To Miami University, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, and other Hamilton County schools:

• The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
• You own or control fraternity houses where hazing occurs.
• You receive funding from Greek organizations while failing to protect students.
• You have a duty to prevent hazing—but you often look the other way.

Act now, or face the same accountability.

💔 To Hamilton County Parents: We Understand Your Pain

We know what it’s like to see your child tortured, humiliated, and hospitalized by people they trusted.

We know the anger, the fear, the helplessness.

We also know that justice is possible.

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. Now, we are fighting for him—and we will fight just as hard for Hamilton County families.

You are not alone. We are here to help.

🚨 Hamilton County Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed in Hamilton County, call us now.
Free, confidential consultation. No upfront cost. We fight for justice.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Proudly serving Hamilton County, Ohio, and nationwide.

📍 Serving All of Hamilton County, Ohio:

• Cincinnati
• Oxford (Miami University)
• Hamilton
• Middletown
• Fairfield
• Norwood
• Forest Park
• Springdale
• Sharonville
• And all surrounding areas

We come to you. Distance is not a barrier to justice.