🚨 Highland County Hazing Lawyer: Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

When “tradition” becomes torture, we fight back.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Houston — it’s happening at universities near Highland County, Virginia too. If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization in Highland County, we will fight for you with the same relentless dedication.

🏛️ Highland County’s Greek Life Reality: The Same Hazing Happens Here

Highland County may be a small, close-knit community, but our children attend colleges where the same national fraternities operate. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other organizations with documented hazing histories have chapters at universities near Highland County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist right here in Virginia.

Universities Near Highland County with Active Greek Life:

While Highland County itself doesn’t have a major university, students from our community often attend schools within driving distance where Greek life is active:

• James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) – 1.5 hours from Highland County
• University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA) – 2 hours away
• Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) – 2.5 hours away
• Washington and Lee University (Lexington, VA) – 1 hour away
• Bridgewater College (Bridgewater, VA) – 45 minutes away

These institutions have the same fraternities and sororities involved in national hazing scandals. If your child is pledging a Greek organization near Highland County, they face the same risks that sent our Houston client to the hospital.

⚠️ What Highland County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

Hazing Isn’t “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing is not about building character or brotherhood. It’s about power, control, and often, torture. In our current case, we’ve documented:

• Waterboarding with garden hoses (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• A pledge lost consciousness during workouts — they kept going

This isn’t “boys being boys.” This is assault, battery, and torture — and it’s happening at universities near Highland County.

Highland County Students Are at Risk

Your child doesn’t have to be enrolled at a major university to be hazed. Our client wasn’t even a University of Houston student when he was abused. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer. The fraternity hazed him before he was even enrolled.

This means:

• Highland County students visiting colleges for recruitment events could be hazed
• Highland County students transferring to universities could be hazed
• Highland County students attending smaller colleges near home could be hazed

Hazing Causes Real, Permanent Damage

Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. But physical injuries are only part of the damage:

This isn’t just “college stuff.” It’s life-altering trauma that can follow your child for years.

⚖️ Highland County’s Legal Rights in Hazing Cases

Virginia Hazing Laws Protect Your Child

Virginia has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all educational institutions, including those near Highland County:

§ 18.2-56: Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty to report; medical treatment of person hazed

1. Criminal Penalties:

   • Hazing is a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail, $2,500 fine)
   • If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a Class 6 felony (1-5 years in prison)

2. Consent is NOT a Defense:

   • Virginia law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to hazing that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
   • When fraternities say “he agreed to participate,” the law says consent doesn’t matter.

3. Organizational Liability:

   • Organizations can be held criminally liable for hazing
   • Fines up to $5,000

4. Institutional Reporting Requirements:

   • Universities must report hazing incidents
   • Failure to report is a Class 1 misdemeanor

Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable

Beyond criminal charges, Highland County families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Who Can Be Sued:

Highland County’s Statute of Limitations

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

DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire. Highland County families should contact us immediately if their child has been hazed.

💰 Highland County Hazing Cases Can Win Millions

Precedent Cases Prove It

Hazing lawsuits across America have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These same results are possible for Highland County victims:

Our current case: We’re seeking $10 million for our client who was hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi hazing. Highland County families can achieve the same justice.

Why These Cases Win

1. Pattern Evidence: When universities and nationals have prior hazing incidents, it shows they knew the risk.
2. Egregious Conduct: Waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse, paddling — juries are outraged.
3. Institutional Failure: Universities own the houses, control the organizations, and fail to act.
4. Deep Pockets: National fraternities and universities have millions in assets and insurance.

🏥 Medical Consequences Highland County Families Must Know

Rhabdomyolysis: The Silent Killer in Hazing

What is Rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis occurs when skeletal muscle tissue breaks down rapidly. The damaged muscle cells release myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can clog the kidneys and cause acute kidney failure. It can be fatal if untreated.

How Hazing Causes It:

• Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls)
• Prolonged muscle compression
• Trauma (being struck with paddles)

Symptoms Highland County Parents Should Watch For:

• Severe muscle pain (especially in shoulders, thighs, lower back)
• Muscle weakness or trouble moving arms/legs
• Dark, cola-colored urine (myoglobinuria — classic sign)
• Fatigue, confusion, nausea
• Decreased urination

Treatment Requires Hospitalization:

• IV fluids to flush kidneys
• Monitoring for kidney failure
• Potential dialysis
• In severe cases, kidney transplant

Our client was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This is not a minor injury — it’s life-threatening.

Other Medical Risks of Hazing

🔍 How to Spot Hazing in Highland County

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed

Highland County parents should watch for these red flags that may indicate hazing:

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden withdrawal from family/friends
• Increased secrecy about activities
• Fear or anxiety about attending events
• Sudden drop in academic performance
• Missing classes or assignments
• Unexplained absences
• Changes in sleep patterns (sleep deprivation is common)
• Increased alcohol or drug use

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
• Difficulty walking or moving (could indicate rhabdomyolysis)
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
• Weight loss or changes in appetite
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

Communication Clues:

• References to “pledge activities” or “brotherhood/sisterhood events”
• Mentions of being “punished” or “disciplined”
• Talk of “traditions” that sound extreme
• Jokes about “surviving” something
• Reluctance to discuss Greek life activities

Financial Signs:

• Unexplained charges on credit cards
• Requests for money for “fraternity/sorority expenses”
• Missing cash or valuables

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

1. Talk to your child — Create a safe space for them to share
2. Document everything — Save texts, social media posts, photos
3. Seek medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor
4. Report to the university — Demand an investigation
5. Contact law enforcement — Hazing is a crime in Virginia
6. Call Attorney 911 — 1-888-ATTY-911 — We’ll guide you through the process

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

Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Ensure Immediate Safety

• Remove your child from the dangerous situation
• If they’re injured, seek medical attention immediately
• If they’re in immediate danger, call 911

2. Preserve Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries, damage, or hazing locations
• Save all communications — texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
• Document witness information — names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
• Keep all physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing
• Record dates and times of hazing incidents

3. Report the Hazing

• Report to the university — Demand an investigation
  • James Madison University: Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices
  • University of Virginia: Fraternity & Sorority Life
  • Virginia Tech: Fraternity & Sorority Life
  • Washington and Lee: Student Affairs
  • Bridgewater College: Student Life
• File a police report — Hazing is a crime in Virginia
• Report to the national organization — Demand chapter suspension

4. Seek Medical and Mental Health Support

• Medical evaluation — Even if injuries seem minor
• Mental health support — Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Document all treatment — Medical records are critical for your case

5. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Do not sign any documents from the organization
• Do not accept any settlement offers without consulting an attorney
• Do not post about the incident on social media

6. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 — Available 24/7
• Free consultation — We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
• No upfront fees — We work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win

🏆 Why Highland County Families Choose Attorney 911

We’re Not Just Lawyers — We’re Fighters

1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We’re in the fight right now against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• Highland County families get the same aggressive representation

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies and institutions think, strategize, and try to deny claims
• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them

3. Nationwide Reach for Highland County Families

• While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide
• Federal court authority — U.S. District Court admission
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York
• Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
• We travel to Highland County — For depositions, trials, and client meetings

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — Mass tort experience against major corporations
• Hundreds of personal injury cases — From car accidents to catastrophic injuries
• Hazing-specific expertise — Kappa Sigma, Texas A&M, rhabdomyolysis cases

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

• Bilingual staff — No language barriers to justice
• Spanish-speaking attorneys — Lupe Pena is fluent
• Critical for Hispanic Highland County families — Many hazing victims are Latino

6. We Treat Highland County Families Like Family

• Compassionate representation — We understand the trauma of hazing
• Regular communication — You’ll never be left in the dark
• Aggressive advocacy — We fight hard for every Highland County client

🎓 Highland County’s Greek Life: The Organizations We’re Watching

Fraternities with Documented Hazing Histories Near Highland County

These same organizations have chapters at universities near Highland County. If your child is pledging one of these fraternities, they face real, documented risks.

Sororities Aren’t Safe Either

While fraternity hazing gets more attention, sorority hazing is also dangerous and often involves:

• Forced alcohol consumption
• Extreme calorie restriction
• Physical punishment
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse
• Sexual harassment

Highland County families should be just as vigilant about sorority hazing as fraternity hazing.

📢 A Message to Highland County Fraternities and Sororities

We Are Watching. We Are Coming.

To the chapters operating near Highland County:

We know who you are. We know your national organizations. We know your alumni boards. We know your house corporations. We track all 125+ IRS-registered Greek organizations in Virginia.

If you haze students in Highland County, we will find out. We will sue your chapter. We will sue your nationals. We will sue your university. We will sue your individual members. We will pursue every liable entity until justice is served.

To Pi Kappa Phi chapters near Highland County:
You’ve had 8 years to fix your culture since Andrew Coffey died. You’ve had 8 weeks since Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. Enough is enough.

To the University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Tech, and other institutions near Highland County:
You own the houses. You control the organizations. You collect the rent. You are responsible. When you fail to protect students, you will pay.

To the national organizations:
You have the power to stop this. You have the resources to implement real oversight. You choose not to. That choice has consequences.

The message from our $10 million lawsuit is clear:

• Waterboarding is torture — and it will cost you
• Forcing exercise until collapse is reckless — and it will cost you
• Ignoring prior incidents is negligent — and it will cost you
• Protecting your reputation over student safety is unconscionable — and it will cost you

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every institution that allows hazing to continue.

📞 Highland County Families: Call Us Now

1-888-ATTY-911 — Available 24/7

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

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Highland County families
✅ No upfront fees — We work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
✅ Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
✅ Spanish-speaking attorneys — Se habla español
✅ Nationwide representation — We serve Highland County and all of Virginia

We will travel to Highland County for:

• Initial consultations
• Client meetings
• Depositions
• Trials

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🚀 Highland County’s Next Steps

If Your Child Has Been Hazed:

1. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911
2. We’ll evaluate your case for free
3. We’ll guide you through evidence preservation
4. We’ll handle all communications with the university and fraternity
5. We’ll fight for maximum compensation

If You’re Concerned About Future Hazing:

1. Talk to your child about the risks — Show them this page
2. Monitor their Greek life activities — Ask questions, look for warning signs
3. Demand transparency from universities — Ask about hazing policies at schools near Highland County
4. Support anti-hazing legislation — Contact Virginia legislators about strengthening hazing laws

If You’re a Highland County Student Considering Greek Life:

1. Research the organization’s history — Look for prior hazing incidents
2. Talk to current members — Ask about their pledge experience
3. Trust your instincts — If something feels wrong, it probably is
4. Know your rights — You have the right to say no to hazing
5. Save our number — 1-888-ATTY-911 — If you’re hazed, call us

🏆 Highland County’s Justice Starts Here

Enough is enough.

For too long, universities and Greek organizations have hidden behind “tradition” to justify abuse. For too long, they’ve protected their reputations while students suffer. For too long, they’ve claimed to be about “brotherhood” while practicing torture.

But now, Highland County families have a choice:

• Stay silent and let the abuse continue
• Speak up and demand justice

We choose justice.

We choose accountability.

We choose to fight for Highland County’s children.

If your child has been hazed at a university near Highland County, call us now. 1-888-ATTY-911. The fight for justice starts today.