🛡️ Hazing Lawyers for Highlands County Families – Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

If your child was hazed at a university or college near Highlands County, Florida, Attorney 911 can help. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – and we’re ready to fight for Highlands County families too.

Call our hazing hotline now: 1-888-ATTY-911

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Highlands County – What Every Parent Needs to Know

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition” – it’s abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter. Right now, we’re fighting a case where a fraternity pledge was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and struck with wooden paddles – all at a university-owned fraternity house.

This isn’t happening just in Houston. It’s happening at universities near Highlands County too.

🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Highlands County?

Under Florida law (and most state laws), hazing includes:

Physical abuse – beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
Forced consumption – alcohol, food, or non-food items until vomiting
Psychological torture – waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation
Sexual abuse – forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
Dangerous activities – blindfolded runs, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces

If your child experienced any of these, they may have a legal case – even if they “consented.”

💔 Real Hazing Cases Near Highlands County – The Same Abuse Happens Here

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

What happened:

A “ghost rush” pledge (not even enrolled at UH) was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse
Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls until he collapsed
Struck with wooden paddles and forced to eat until vomiting
Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

Why it matters to Highlands County families:

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide – including near Highlands County
The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Highlands County-area fraternities
Universities near Highlands County face the same liability failures as UH

The fraternity’s response?

“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”

They’re not sorry. They’re planning to come back. That’s why we’re fighting for $10 million – to make sure they can’t.

💰 Hazing Cases That Won Millions – Highlands County Victims Can Win Too

Case	University	Fraternity	Outcome	Why It Matters for Highlands County
Stone Foltz	Bowling Green State	Pi Kappa Alpha	$10.1 Million	Same fraternity type; same forced drinking
Maxwell Gruver	LSU	Phi Delta Theta	$6.1 Million Jury Verdict	Juries award millions for hazing deaths
Timothy Piazza	Penn State	Beta Theta Pi	$110+ Million (est.)	Security cameras captured everything – strong evidence = big wins
Andrew Coffey	Florida State	Pi Kappa Phi	Confidential Settlement	Same fraternity as our case; shows pattern of negligence

Highlands County families: These verdicts prove that hazing cases win big. The same legal strategies apply to your case.

⚖️ Highlands County Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know

📜 Florida Hazing Law (Florida Statute § 1006.63)

Hazing is a crime – up to 5 years in prison for serious bodily injury
Consent is NOT a defense – even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal
Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 for hazing incidents
Universities must report hazing – failure to report is also a crime

🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Highlands County?

We pursue everyone responsible for your child’s injuries:

Defendant	Why They’re Liable	Example from Our Case
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter	Directly organized and conducted hazing	Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH
National Organization	Failed to supervise chapters despite knowing about hazing	Pi Kappa Phi National – knew about “hazing crisis”
University/College	Owned fraternity house; failed to prevent hazing	University of Houston owned the house where torture occurred
Individual Members	Participated in or failed to stop hazing	Fraternity president, pledgemaster, active members
Alumni/Hosts	Allowed hazing at their homes	Former member and spouse hosted hazing sessions
Insurance Companies	Provide coverage for institutional liability	National fraternities have multi-million dollar policies

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing – What Highlands County Parents Should Watch For

Hazing doesn’t just cause bruises – it can lead to life-threatening injuries and permanent damage. In our current case, the victim suffered:

🔴 Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown)

What it is: Muscle tissue breaks down, releasing myoglobin into the blood
Causes: Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls, forced exercise)
Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, dark/brown urine, inability to move
Dangers: Acute kidney failure, cardiac arrest, death

🔴 Acute Kidney Failure

What it is: Kidneys stop filtering waste from blood
Causes: Rhabdomyolysis, dehydration, alcohol poisoning
Symptoms: Decreased urine output, swelling, confusion, fatigue
Dangers: Requires hospitalization; may need dialysis or transplant

🔴 Other Common Hazing Injuries Near Highlands County

Alcohol poisoning (from forced drinking)
Traumatic brain injury (from beatings or falls)
Hypothermia/hyperthermia (from exposure)
Broken bones (from paddling or assault)
PTSD, anxiety, depression (from psychological abuse)

If your child shows any of these symptoms after joining a Greek organization near Highlands County, seek medical attention immediately – and call us.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Highlands County

🚨 Immediate Steps (First 24-72 Hours)

Step	Action	Why It Matters
1. Get Medical Help	Go to ER or urgent care immediately	Document injuries; rule out life-threatening conditions
2. Preserve Evidence	Take photos of injuries, save texts/emails, keep clothing	Evidence disappears quickly; critical for your case
3. Don’t Talk to the Organization	Avoid speaking to fraternity/sorority leaders or university officials	They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence
4. Contact a Hazing Lawyer	Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911	Free consultation; we handle everything from here

⏳ Long-Term Steps (Within 2 Years)

Step	Action	Why It Matters
5. Document Everything	Keep a journal of symptoms, medical visits, therapy sessions	Proves ongoing harm and damages
6. Avoid Social Media	Don’t post about the incident or your injuries	Insurance companies will use posts against you
7. Follow Medical Advice	Attend all follow-up appointments; take prescribed medications	Shows you’re taking recovery seriously
8. Let Us Handle the Rest	We’ll deal with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies	You focus on healing; we focus on justice

⚠️ Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing cases. Don’t wait – evidence disappears and your rights expire.

💼 Why Highlands County Families Choose Attorney 911

🏆 We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning

Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
25+ years of trial experience – we don’t back down from powerful institutions
Former insurance defense attorneys – we know how the other side thinks and fights
Federal court admission – can pursue cases nationwide, including Highlands County
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York) – strategic advantage against national fraternities
Se habla español – bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families

💰 We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Highlands County Families

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

You pay nothing upfront
We only get paid if we win your case
No hidden fees or surprises
If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

📍 We Serve Highlands County – No Matter Where the Hazing Happened

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Highlands County families. We can help whether your child was hazed:

At a university near Highlands County
While visiting another state for Greek events
At a national fraternity/sorority conference
Anywhere in the U.S.

We come to you – for depositions, meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🎓 Universities Near Highlands County with Greek Life – Where Hazing Happens

Highlands County is home to dozens of universities where Greek life thrives – and where hazing occurs. The same national fraternities involved in our $10 million lawsuit have active chapters at these schools:

📍 Major Universities Near Highlands County with Greek Life

University	Location	Greek Life Presence	Why It Matters
Florida Southern College	Lakeland, FL (~1 hour from Highlands County)	15+ fraternities & sororities	Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters here
Southeastern University	Lakeland, FL (~1 hour)	Active Greek system	Multiple hazing risks reported in past
University of South Florida	Tampa, FL (~1.5 hours)	Large Greek community	Major university with documented hazing incidents
Florida State University	Tallahassee, FL (~4 hours)	Strong Greek culture	Home to Andrew Coffey’s death in Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL (~3 hours)	Massive Greek system	One of the largest Greek communities in the U.S.
University of Central Florida	Orlando, FL (~2 hours)	Over 50 Greek organizations	High risk of hazing due to large chapter sizes

The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston operate at these Highlands County-area schools. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Highlands County, they face the same risks.

🔍 Common Hazing “Traditions” at Highlands County-Area Fraternities

Fraternities and sororities near Highlands County use the same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized our client. These are not harmless pranks – they’re illegal and life-threatening.

🚫 Physical Abuse Hazing

“Paddling” – Being struck with wooden paddles (can cause bruising, fractures)
“Lineups” – Pledges run through a gauntlet of members who hit them
Forced exercise to exhaustion – 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls (can cause rhabdomyolysis)
Branding or burning – Permanent physical marks
Waterboarding – Simulated drowning (torture)

🚫 Forced Consumption Hazing

“Drink until you puke” – Forced binge drinking (can cause alcohol poisoning)
Eating until vomiting – Forced consumption of food, milk, hot sauce, or non-food items
Chugging contests – Consuming large amounts of alcohol in short time
Shotgunning beers – Drinking entire beers in seconds

🚫 Psychological Torture Hazing

Waterboarding or simulated drowning (used on our client)
Sleep deprivation – Forced late nights, early mornings
Humiliation rituals – Carrying sexual objects, forced nudity, public shaming
Isolation – Cut off from friends/family during pledge period
Threats of violence or expulsion – “Do this or you’re out”

🚫 Dangerous Activity Hazing

Blindfolded runs – Can lead to falls, injuries
Extreme weather exposure – Forced to stand outside in heat or cold
Confined spaces – Locked in small rooms or trunks
Kidnappings – Taken to remote locations and abandoned

If your child experienced any of these near Highlands County, they may have a legal case – even if they “consented.”

📢 Warning to Fraternities & Sororities Near Highlands County

🔥 To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and All Other Greek Organizations Operating Near Highlands County:

We are watching. We are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million in our current case apply to your chapters.
We track your housing corporations, your alumni chapters, and your national insurance structures.
We document every hazing death and hospitalization across America.
If your Highlands County-area chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity – including you.

Your chapter could be next.

🏛️ To Universities Near Highlands County:

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded. They knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing. They are now facing a $10 million lawsuit.

If your institution owns or controls Greek housing near Highlands County, you are liable for what happens there. Act now – or face accountability in court.

📞 Highlands County Hazing Hotline – Call Now

If your child was hazed at a university near Highlands County, call us immediately:

📍 Attorney 911 Hazing Hotline

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

Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if we win your case.

We serve Highlands County families – no matter where the hazing occurred.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions for Highlands County Families

❓ “My child consented to the hazing. Can we still sue?”

Yes. Florida law (and most state laws) explicitly say that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

❓ “The hazing happened off-campus. Can we still sue the university?”

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm – even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks, they can be held liable.

❓ “We’re not in Texas. Can Attorney 911 still help us?”

Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Highlands County families. We have:

Federal court admission (can sue in federal court anywhere)
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)
Willingness to travel for depositions and trials
Remote consultation options for Highlands County families

❓ “How much is a hazing case worth?”

Hazing cases can be worth millions of dollars, depending on:

Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse)
Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
Number of victims (are there other victims from the same chapter?)

Recent hazing verdicts and settlements:

$10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
$6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
$110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

❓ “What if my child is afraid of retaliation?”

We understand. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We protect our clients:

Confidentiality – Your case is private until you decide otherwise
Legal protection – Retaliation is illegal; we can take action if it occurs
Evidence preservation – We gather proof before the organization can destroy it
Media strategy – We control the narrative to protect your child

❓ “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”

Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing cases. This means:

You have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit
If your child died from hazing, you have 2 years from the date of death
Evidence disappears quickly – the sooner you act, the stronger your case

Don’t wait. Call us today: 1-888-ATTY-911

🎯 Our Promise to Highlands County Families

🔹 We Will Fight for Justice

We’re not afraid of powerful universities or national fraternities. We’re currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – and we’ll bring the same aggression to your Highlands County case.

🔹 We Will Protect Your Child

We understand the fear of retaliation. We work discreetly to gather evidence and build your case while protecting your child’s identity and safety.

🔹 We Will Hold Everyone Accountable

We sue everyone responsible – the local chapter, the national organization, the university, and the individuals who participated. No one gets away with torturing our kids.

🔹 We Will Make Them Change

Our goal isn’t just compensation – it’s preventing the next tragedy. We work with legislators, media, and universities to change the culture that allows hazing to continue.

🔹 We Will Travel to Highlands County

We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

📢 Enough Is Enough – Highlands County Families Deserve Justice

To the fraternities and sororities near Highlands County:
You waterboarded our client. You forced him to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed. You struck him with wooden paddles. And now you’re planning to come back like nothing happened.

Not on our watch.

To the universities near Highlands County:
You own the buildings where students are tortured. You collect rent while hazing happens on your property. You have the power to stop it – and you choose not to.

We are holding you accountable.

To the Highlands County families who’ve lost children to hazing:
We see you. We hear you. We’re fighting for you.

Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

🚨 Highlands County Hazing Lawyers – Free Consultation – No Upfront Cost

If your child was hazed at a university near Highlands County, call Attorney 911 immediately:

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