🛡️ Hazing Victims in Harrison County, West Virginia: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Harrison County families: If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Harrison County, you are not alone — and you have powerful legal rights.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical abuse, waterboarding, and forced consumption. This same hazing culture exists at institutions near Harrison County, and we are ready to bring the same aggressive legal fight to West Virginia.

We will travel to Harrison County. We will fight for your family. We will hold every responsible party accountable — no matter how powerful they are.

🚨 What Is Hazing — And Why It’s Illegal in West Virginia

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “team bonding.” It’s not “building character.”

Under West Virginia law, hazing is defined as any activity that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health of a student
• Is done for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or maintaining membership in an organization
• Includes physical brutality, forced consumption, sleep deprivation, humiliation, or exposure to the elements

West Virginia Code §18-2-25a makes hazing a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and jail time. But criminal charges are not your only option — victims and families can also sue for civil damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

Harrison County families: If your child was hazed at Fairmont State University, West Virginia University, or any other institution near Harrison County, they have the right to seek justice — and we can help.

⚠️ The Hazing Crisis in Harrison County and Beyond

Hazing is not just a problem in Texas or big universities — it happens right here in West Virginia, including near Harrison County.

Harrison County Parents: These Same Fraternities Operate Near You

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have active chapters at universities near Harrison County, including:

The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at West Virginia universities. The same negligence exists. The same culture of abuse persists.

If your child attends or plans to attend a university near Harrison County, they face the same risks.

💔 What Hazing Looks Like — Real Cases from Real Students

Case 1: Waterboarding, 500 Squats, and Kidney Failure — The Pi Kappa Phi Case We’re Fighting Now

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a Harrison County resident, but the same fraternity has chapters near Harrison County)
University: University of Houston
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
What Happened:

• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
• Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Another pledge collapsed unconscious during hazing — they kept going
• Ended up in the hospital for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

Why This Matters to Harrison County Families:

• Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at West Virginia University — the same organization that waterboarded a student
• The same “traditions” exist at WVU and other West Virginia schools
• If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Morgantown, Fairmont, or any school near Harrison County

Case 2: Forced Drinking Until Death — The Stone Foltz Case ($10.1 Million Settlement)

Victim: Stone Foltz
University: Bowling Green State University
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha (same fraternity with chapter at WVU)
What Happened:

• Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big Brother” night
• Found unresponsive the next morning
• Died from alcohol poisoning
  Outcome:
• $10.1 million settlement — one of the largest hazing payouts in history
• Multiple fraternity members criminally convicted
• Chapter permanently expelled

Harrison County Connection:

• Pi Kappa Alpha has a chapter at West Virginia University — the same fraternity that killed Stone Foltz
• If your child pledges Pike at WVU, they face the same risks

Case 3: “Bible Study” Drinking Game — The Max Gruver Case ($6.1 Million Verdict)

Victim: Max Gruver
University: Louisiana State University
Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
What Happened:

• Pledges forced to play a “Bible Study” drinking game
• Wrong answer = drink more
• Max Gruver’s blood alcohol level reached 0.495 — more than 6 times the legal limit
• Died from alcohol poisoning
  Outcome:
• $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
• Led to Max Gruver Act — made hazing a felony in Louisiana

Why This Matters to Harrison County:

• This wasn’t an accident — it was systematic abuse
• The same drinking games happen at WVU and other West Virginia schools
• West Virginia needs its own “Max Gruver Act” — and we’re fighting to make that happen

Case 4: 18 Drinks in 82 Minutes — The Timothy Piazza Case ($110+ Million Settlement)

Victim: Timothy Piazza
University: Penn State
Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
What Happened:

• Forced to run a “gauntlet” — 18 drinks in 82 minutes
• BAC reached 0.36 — potentially fatal
• Fell down stairs multiple times while severely intoxicated
• Fraternity brothers waited 12 hours before calling 911
• Died from traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding
  Outcome:
• $110+ million settlement — one of the largest in hazing history
• 18 fraternity members criminally charged
• Led to Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law in Pennsylvania

Harrison County Connection:

• The same “gauntlet” drinking rituals happen at WVU and other West Virginia schools
• Fraternities prioritize reputation over safety — just like at Penn State
• West Virginia universities are just as negligent as Penn State was

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Harrison County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible — including individuals, organizations, and institutions. If your child was hazed near Harrison County, we will pursue every single liable party.

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

Example: Pi Kappa Phi at West Virginia University
Why They’re Liable:

• Directly organized and conducted hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) gave orders
• Members participated in abuse

Harrison County Families: The same chapter leaders who haze students near Harrison County can be personally sued — just like in the Stone Foltz case, where the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million.

2. The National Organization (Fraternity/Sorority)

Example: Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
Why They’re Liable:

• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Knew about hazing culture but did nothing (Pi Kappa Phi knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 but still allowed Leonel Bermudez to be hospitalized in 2025)
• Have deep pockets — millions in assets and insurance

Harrison County Connection:

• The same national organizations that paid $10 million in the Foltz case and $6.1 million in the Gruver case operate chapters near Harrison County
• They cannot claim ignorance — they’ve been sued before

3. The University (Fairmont State, WVU, etc.)

Example: West Virginia University
Why They’re Liable:

• Duty to protect students — universities have a legal obligation to keep students safe
• Own or control fraternity houses — many universities own the buildings where hazing occurs
• Know about hazing — WVU has had hazing incidents before, just like UH did
• Failed to act — despite knowing the risks, they didn’t implement real oversight

Harrison County Reality:

• If your child was hazed at Fairmont State, WVU, or another West Virginia school, the university shares liability
• They cannot claim they didn’t know — hazing is a well-documented problem in Greek life

4. Individual Members and Officers

Example: Chapter president, pledgemaster, active members
Why They’re Liable:

• Personal participation in hazing
• Directing others to haze
• Failing to stop abuse they witnessed

Harrison County Impact:

• These are real people — students, young professionals, sometimes even local community members
• They can be personally sued and face criminal charges
• Their parents’ homeowners insurance may cover damages

5. Alumni and Property Owners

Example: Former members who host hazing at their homes
Why They’re Liable:

• Premises liability — if hazing happens at their property, they’re responsible
• Aiding and abetting — allowing hazing to occur

Harrison County Families:

• Many hazing incidents happen off-campus at alumni houses
• These individuals often have more assets than current students

💰 What Compensation Can Harrison County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families can recover multiple types of damages, including:

Total Potential Recovery: $100,000 – $10,000,000+

Harrison County Families: The same legal strategies that won $10 million in the Foltz case and $6.1 million in the Gruver case apply to your case — no matter where in West Virginia the hazing occurred.

⚖️ West Virginia Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights

1. West Virginia Code §18-2-25a — Criminal Hazing Law

What It Says:

• Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and up to 1 year in jail
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers are still guilty
• Applies to any activity that endangers mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation

What This Means for Harrison County Families:

• If your child was hazed, the perpetrators can go to jail
• The university must report hazing incidents — if they don’t, they violate the law

2. Civil Lawsuits — Suing for Damages

West Virginia allows hazing victims to sue for:

• Negligence — the organization failed to prevent hazing
• Assault and Battery — physical abuse during hazing
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — extreme psychological abuse
• Premises Liability — if hazing occurred on university property
• Wrongful Death — if hazing resulted in death

Harrison County Families: You do not need a criminal conviction to file a civil lawsuit. We can pursue compensation even if no criminal charges are filed.

3. Statute of Limitations — Act Now

West Virginia law gives you:

• 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit
• 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit

Harrison County Urgency:

• Evidence disappears — texts, photos, and witness memories fade
• Witnesses forget — details become unclear
• Your rights expire — if you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case acted immediately — hospitalized on November 6, lawsuit filed within weeks. This is how you protect your rights.

📋 What Harrison County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed

If your child has been hazed at Fairmont State, WVU, or any other institution near Harrison County, follow these steps immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs — screenshot everything
• Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or activities
• Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
• Documents — pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
• Medical records — hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records

Harrison County Warning: Do not delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing. Destroying evidence can hurt your case.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

• The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
• They may ask your child to sign documents that waive their rights
• They may intimidate witnesses to change their stories
• Anything your child says can be used against them

Harrison County Families: If the organization contacts you, do not respond. Refer them to your attorney.

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Do not post about the hazing incident
• Do not post about being “fine” — insurance companies will use this against you
• Do not post photos/videos of parties or social events
• Do not engage with Greek life members online

Harrison County Reality: Insurance companies and defense attorneys monitor social media to find ways to minimize your claim.

5. Report to Authorities

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in West Virginia
• Report to the university — they are required by law to investigate
• Report to the national organization — they often claim they “didn’t know,” but reporting creates a record

Harrison County Families: Reporting creates official documentation that can be used in your lawsuit.

6. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney — IMMEDIATELY

Harrison County families: Call Attorney 911 now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Harrison County Hazing Case:
✅ We’re fighting a $10 million hazing case RIGHT NOW — we know how to win
✅ We travel to Harrison County — distance is not a barrier
✅ We work on contingency — $0 upfront for Harrison County families. We don’t get paid unless you win
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how the other side thinks
✅ Federal court authority — we can pursue cases in federal court if needed
✅ Dual-state licensed (Texas & New York) — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases
✅ Se habla español — bilingual staff to serve Harrison County’s Spanish-speaking families

🔥 Why Harrison County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Not Afraid of Powerful Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have:

• In-house legal departments
• Insurance company lawyers
• Crisis PR teams
• Millions in resources

We have beaten them before — and we’ll do it again for Harrison County families.

2. We Know How to Build a Case

Our current hazing case includes:

• Waterboarding — simulated drowning with a garden hose
• 500+ squats — causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
• Forced eating until vomiting — torture disguised as “tradition”
• Another pledge collapsing unconscious — they kept going

We know how to document these abuses — and we know how to win.

3. We Fight for Harrison County Families Like Family

We understand what you’re going through. We’ve seen the devastation hazing causes — and we’re committed to making it right.

Client Testimonial:

“They treated me like family. I never felt like just another case.” — Ambur Hamilton

4. We Get Results

• $10 million lawsuit currently pending in our Pi Kappa Phi case
• Millions recovered for personal injury clients
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
• Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook

Harrison County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.

🎯 What We’re Fighting For in Harrison County

1. Justice for Your Child

• Holding every responsible party accountable
• Ensuring this never happens to another Harrison County student

2. Financial Compensation

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages

3. Systemic Change

• Forcing universities to implement real oversight of Greek life
• Pressuring national fraternities to end hazing culture
• Supporting hazing legislation in West Virginia

4. Protection for Future Students

• Creating a safer environment for Harrison County students
• Sending a message that hazing will not be tolerated

📞 Harrison County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation

You are not alone. We are here to fight for you.

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We serve Harrison County and all of West Virginia. We travel to you. We fight for you. We win for you.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Harrison County Families

Q: My child was hazed at WVU. Can you help even though you’re based in Texas?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Harrison County and all of West Virginia. We offer video consultations and travel to Harrison County for meetings, depositions, and trials. Distance is not a barrier.

Q: My child is afraid to come forward because of retaliation. What should we do?

A: We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear retribution — our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We understand this fear, and we will protect your child’s identity and pursue legal action against anyone who retaliates.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Can they still be held liable?

A: Yes. Under West Virginia law, consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers are still liable. The same rule applies in Texas — and we’ve successfully defeated this defense in court.

Q: How much will this cost? We can’t afford a lawyer.

A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency — we don’t get paid unless you win. There are no hourly fees, no retainers. We take the financial risk so Harrison County families can fight back.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus? Can we still sue the university?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students — even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing, they can be held liable. Many hazing incidents happen at alumni houses or private residences, and we can pursue those property owners as well.

Q: How long will this take?

A: Every case is different. Some settle in 6-12 months; others take 2-3 years if they go to trial. We will work as quickly as possible to get you the compensation you deserve.

Q: Can we sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?

A: Both. The national organization has deep pockets and insurance policies that can provide substantial compensation. We will pursue every liable party — local chapter, national organization, university, and individuals.

Q: What if my child was hazed but not physically injured? Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is just as valid as physical injuries. We can pursue compensation for mental anguish, therapy costs, and emotional distress.

Q: The university says they’re “investigating.” Should we wait?

A: No. Universities protect themselves, not students. Their investigation is designed to limit their liability. Contact us immediately — the 2-year statute of limitations is running.

🚨 Harrison County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing destroys lives. It sends students to the hospital. It traumatizes families. It kills.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting to end hazing culture — one case at a time.

If your child has been hazed at Fairmont State, WVU, or any institution near Harrison County, call us now.

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We serve Harrison County. We fight for Harrison County. We win for Harrison County.

📢 A Message to Harrison County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Harrison County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students in Harrison County, we will find every liable entity.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Harrison County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To West Virginia universities:
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 Harrison County institutions:
The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

© 2025 Attorney 911 | Serving Harrison County, West Virginia and Nationwide | Hazing Victim Representation

This is not legal advice. Every case is unique. Contact us for a free consultation.