Hazing Injury Lawyers in Howard County, MD – Attorney 911
Aggressive Legal Representation for Hazing Victims and Their Families in Howard County and Beyond
If your child was injured, hospitalized, or traumatized due to hazing in Howard County—whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization—you have legal rights. At Attorney 911, we fight to hold universities, Greek organizations, and individual perpetrators accountable for the physical and emotional harm caused by hazing.
Serving Howard County families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, TX—with nationwide reach through federal court authority.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Howard County: What Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “tradition”—it’s dangerous, illegal, and often life-altering. In Howard County, fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations operate under the same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing-related injuries and deaths.
🔴 Hazing Happens in Howard County—Just Like It Does Everywhere Else
- National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Chi have active chapters at universities near Howard County, including University of Maryland, College Park; Johns Hopkins University; and Towson University.
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston—waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme physical punishment—exist in Howard County.
- Universities near Howard County have the same duty to protect students—and the same liability when they fail.
📌 Real Cases That Prove Hazing Costs Millions
We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after our client was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. This isn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a nationwide pattern.
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Death | $10.1M+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Death | $6.1M jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Death | $110M+ (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Death | Confidential settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | Hospitalization (our case) | $10M lawsuit pending |
Howard County families: If your child was hazed, you can fight back—and win.
💔 What Counts as Hazing in Howard County?
Hazing isn’t just “roughhousing.” Under Maryland law, hazing includes any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
🚫 Common Hazing Practices in Howard County (and Why They’re Illegal)
| Type of Hazing | Examples | Legal Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Paddling, beating, branding, extreme exercise (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls) | Assault, battery, reckless endangerment |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol poisoning, forced eating until vomiting, consuming dangerous substances | Reckless endangerment, negligence |
| Psychological Abuse | Waterboarding, humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats of expulsion | Intentional infliction of emotional distress |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault, harassment |
| Dangerous Stunts | Blindfolded activities, confinement in small spaces, exposure to extreme weather | Reckless endangerment, negligence |
📌 Maryland Law (Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 11-204):
- Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and $500 in fines.
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if a student “agreed” to participate, perpetrators can still be held liable.
- Universities can be sued for failing to prevent hazing.
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Howard County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Howard County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and participated in hazing | Chapters at UMD, Johns Hopkins, Towson |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise chapters, ignored prior incidents | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, SAE, etc. |
| University/College | Owns fraternity houses, failed to enforce anti-hazing policies | UMD, Johns Hopkins, Towson, etc. |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing to continue | Chapter officers, pledgemasters, active members |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing events, failed to intervene | Off-campus locations in Howard County |
| Insurance Companies | Provide liability coverage for fraternities and universities | Deep pockets for settlements |
💡 Howard County families: If your child was hazed, we’ll identify every responsible party and pursue maximum compensation.
💰 What Compensation Can Howard County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing causes real, lasting harm—and victims deserve full financial recovery for their injuries.
🔹 Economic Damages (Tangible Costs)
- Medical bills (hospitalization, surgery, therapy, future treatment)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
- Educational expenses (tuition refunds, academic disruption)
- Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, counseling)
🔹 Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)
- Physical pain (injuries from beatings, forced exercise, etc.)
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing)
- Humiliation and shame (psychological trauma from abuse)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on college experience)
🔹 Punitive Damages (Punishing Egregious Conduct)
If the hazing was intentional, reckless, or involved torture (like waterboarding), courts may award additional damages to punish the defendants.
📌 Recent Hazing Settlements Prove Big Payouts Are Possible:
- $10.1M (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1M (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110M+ (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
Howard County families: If your child was hazed, we’ll fight for every dollar they deserve.
🚑 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Howard County
Hazing victims often delay reporting due to shame, fear of retaliation, or loyalty to the organization. But time is critical—evidence disappears, and legal deadlines expire.
✅ Immediate Steps for Howard County Families
-
🏥 Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get medical documentation (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, concussions, alcohol poisoning).
- Hospitals near Howard County: Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center.
-
📸 Preserve Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
- Get witness contact information (other pledges, bystanders).
-
🚫 Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers
- They will try to minimize your claim or blame your child.
- Never give a recorded statement without an attorney present.
-
📞 Contact a Hazing Injury Lawyer Immediately
- Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears fast—texts get deleted, witnesses forget details.
- Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
-
📝 Report the Incident (Optional but Recommended)
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Maryland).
- Report to the university (Title IX office, Greek life department).
- Consider a Title IX complaint if sexual assault was involved.
🏆 Why Howard County Families Choose Attorney 911
1️⃣ We’re Currently Fighting a $10M Hazing Case—Right Now
- We represent Leonel Bermudez, a student hospitalized with kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi hazing at UH.
- We know how to win against fraternities, universities, and national organizations.
- Howard County families get the same aggressive representation.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know how they try to deny claims—and we counter their tactics to maximize your recovery.
3️⃣ Nationwide Reach—We Can Represent Howard County Victims Anywhere
- Federal court authority (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas).
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York).
- Willing to travel to Howard County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4️⃣ No Upfront Costs—You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee basis: We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
- No hourly fees, no retainers—just aggressive legal representation at no risk to you.
5️⃣ Se Habla Español—Bilingual Legal Support for Howard County Families
- Many hazing victims are first-generation or international students.
- We provide full legal services in Spanish—no language barriers.
📞 Howard County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation
Time is running out. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Legal deadlines expire.
If your child was hazed in Howard County, we can help.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We serve Howard County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—and we’ll fight for you no matter where the hazing occurred.
🔥 Fraternities & Universities Near Howard County: We’re Coming for You
To the fraternities operating near Howard County:
- Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma—we know your chapters.
- The same legal strategies that shut down the UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter apply to you.
- If you haze students in Howard County, we will find every liable entity—and we will sue.
To the universities near Howard County (UMD, Johns Hopkins, Towson, etc.):
- You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop hazing.
- When you fail to act, you become liable.
- We will hold you accountable—just like we’re doing with the University of Houston.
To the national fraternity organizations:
- You knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017. You knew about our client’s hospitalization in 2025.
- You had 8 years to fix your culture—and you failed.
- Now you’ll pay.
💡 Howard County Parents: Protect Your Child Before It’s Too Late
🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Howard County
- Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
- Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities
- Extreme exhaustion (sleep deprivation, forced all-nighters)
- Changes in behavior (anxiety, depression, withdrawal)
- Unusual requests (carrying objects, dressing in specific ways)
- Forced drinking or drug use
- Being dropped off late at night or early in the morning
🛡️ How to Protect Your Child from Hazing in Howard County
- Talk to your child about hazing—explain that it’s illegal and dangerous.
- Ask questions—what activities are they participating in?
- Monitor their social media—look for coded language about “traditions.”
- Encourage them to report hazing—many universities have anonymous reporting systems.
- Know their rights—hazing is not a rite of passage, it’s a crime.
If you suspect hazing, call us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911
📜 Maryland Hazing Laws: Know Your Rights
Maryland Criminal Law (Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 11-204)
- Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and $500 in fines.
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate.
- Universities can be held criminally liable for failing to prevent hazing.
Civil Lawsuits for Hazing in Maryland
- Negligence: Universities and fraternities have a duty to protect students.
- Assault & Battery: Physical hazing (paddling, beatings) is intentional harm.
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats) can be sued.
- Premises Liability: If hazing occurs in a university-owned fraternity house, the school is liable.
📌 Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Don’t wait—contact us now.
🏆 Our Promise to Howard County Families
- We will listen—without judgment, without blame.
- We will investigate—gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, building a strong case.
- We will fight—against fraternities, universities, and insurance companies.
- We will win—securing the maximum compensation your child deserves.
Howard County hazing victims: You are not alone. We are here to help.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation.
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
⚠️ Final Warning to Howard County Fraternities & Universities:
We don’t just talk about hazing—we fight it in court. Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million case against Pi Kappa Phi. If you haze students in Howard County, your chapter could be next.
The choice is yours: Fix your culture now—or face the consequences in court.
