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Hyde County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Closed Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 24, 2026 11 min read
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Hazing Lawyers in Hyde County, NC – Protecting Students & Holding Institutions Accountable

Attorney 911 – Fighting for Hazing Victims in Hyde County and Beyond

If your child has been a victim of hazing in Hyde County, North Carolina, you are not alone. The same dangerous fraternity and sorority practices that led to a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston are happening right here in Hyde County. At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating hazing cases and fighting to hold institutions accountable—including those in Hyde County.

We serve hazing victims in Hyde County, NC, and nationwide. If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Hyde County, call us now for a free, confidential consultation.

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

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

Hazing is not just a problem at big universities—it happens right here in Hyde County. Whether your child attends Mattamuskeet High School, Ocracoke School, or a nearby college, they may be at risk.

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. In North Carolina, hazing is illegal—and it can lead to criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and multi-million-dollar verdicts.

Common Hazing Practices in Hyde County & Beyond

  • Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
  • Extreme physical punishment (push-ups, squats, paddling)
  • Waterboarding & simulated drowning (yes, this happens in Hyde County too)
  • Sleep deprivation & exhaustion (late-night activities, forced servitude)
  • Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
  • Sexual assault & harassment (forced nudity, degrading acts)

If your child experienced any of these, they may have a legal claim—even if they “consented” to participate.

💰 Why Hyde County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Actively Fighting Hazing RIGHT NOW – $10M Lawsuit in Progress

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston. His case proves that hazing can cause life-threatening injuries—and that fraternities, universities, and national organizations must pay.

This same fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi) and others like it operate near Hyde County. If your child was hazed, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting for Leonel.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know How They Fight

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability—and we know how to defeat their defenses.

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

While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we can represent hazing victims anywhere in the U.S., including Hyde County, NC. Our attorneys are admitted to federal court, meaning we can pursue cases against national fraternities and universities no matter where the hazing occurred.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. If we recover compensation for you, our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

5. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español

Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. If your family speaks Spanish, we can communicate in your preferred language—no language barriers, no confusion.

6. We Come to Hyde County – Travel Is Not a Barrier

We will travel to Hyde County, NC, for depositions, meetings, and court appearances. Distance is not an excuse—we will fight for Hyde County families as aggressively as we fight for clients in Houston.

⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Hyde County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

Defendant Why They’re Liable Hyde County Example
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing If your child was hazed at a Hyde County fraternity or sorority, the local chapter can be sued
National Fraternity/Sorority Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters near Hyde County—they can be sued for failing to stop abuse
University/School Failed to protect students; owned/controlled property where hazing occurred If hazing happened at a Hyde County school or college, the institution may be liable
Individual Members Participated in or facilitated hazing Each member who took part can be sued personally
Alumni & Advisors Encouraged or allowed hazing If hazing occurred at an alumni’s home, they can be sued for premises liability
Insurance Companies Provide coverage for fraternities and universities We know how to force insurance companies to pay for hazing injuries

🏥 What Injuries Can Result from Hazing in Hyde County?

Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun”—it can cause serious, life-altering injuries, including:

Injury How It Happens Long-Term Effects
Rhabdomyolysis Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, push-ups, etc.) Kidney failure, permanent damage, lifelong medical monitoring
Alcohol Poisoning Forced binge drinking Brain damage, coma, death
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Beating, falls, paddling Memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes
Broken Bones Physical abuse Chronic pain, disability
Sexual Assault Forced acts, humiliation PTSD, depression, trust issues
PTSD & Anxiety Psychological torture Therapy, medication, lifelong trauma
Death Extreme hazing Wrongful death lawsuits, criminal charges

If your child suffered any of these injuries in Hyde County, they may be entitled to compensation.

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

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get medical records to document the harm.
  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening—don’t wait.

2. Preserve All Evidence

  • Save all texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, and social media posts about the hazing.
  • Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.).
  • Write down everything that happened—names, dates, locations, witnesses.

3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or School Without a Lawyer

  • They will try to control the narrative, destroy evidence, and intimidate your child.
  • Anything your child says can be used against them in court.

4. Call Attorney 911 Immediately

  • The statute of limitations in North Carolina is 3 years—but evidence disappears fast.
  • We can help preserve evidence, protect your child’s rights, and file a lawsuit.

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

💼 Precedent Cases – Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Case Fraternity Injury Outcome
Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) Pi Kappa Alpha Death (alcohol poisoning) $10.1M settlement
Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) Phi Delta Theta Death (alcohol poisoning) $6.1M jury verdict
Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) Beta Theta Pi Death (traumatic brain injury) $110M+ settlement
Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) Pi Kappa Phi Death (alcohol poisoning) Confidential settlement
Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) Pi Kappa Phi Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure $10M lawsuit pending

If your child was hazed in Hyde County, they deserve the same justice.

🏛️ North Carolina Hazing Laws – What Hyde County Families Need to Know

North Carolina Hazing Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35)

  • Hazing is a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to 60 days in jail, $1,000 fine).
  • If hazing causes serious injury or death, it becomes a Class H felony (up to 25 months in prison).
  • Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers can still be held liable.

Civil Liability for Hazing in North Carolina

  • Victims can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages.
  • Universities, fraternities, and individual members can all be held responsible.

If your child was hazed in Hyde County, they have legal rights—we can help enforce them.

🎯 Why Hyde County Families Trust Attorney 911

Proven Results – We’ve won millions for hazing victims and are currently litigating a $10M case.
Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know exactly how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
Federal Court Authority – We can sue national fraternities and universities no matter where the hazing occurred.
No Upfront Costs – We only get paid if we win your case.
Bilingual Representation – We speak English and Spanish.
We Come to Hyde County – We’ll travel to you for meetings, depositions, and court appearances.

📢 Hyde County Parents: If Your Child Was Hazed, Call Us Now

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “brotherhood.” It’s abuse—and it’s illegal.

If your child was hazed in Hyde County, they deserve justice. We are fighting this battle right now, and we will fight for your family too.

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

We don’t get paid unless you get paid. Let’s hold them accountable.

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