🛡️ Hazing Victims in Jefferson County, Alabama: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice
Jefferson County Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization in or near Jefferson County, Alabama, you need to know this: what happened was not “tradition.” It was not “harmless fun.” It was abuse. And you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that has exposed waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, and a culture of torture disguised as brotherhood. The same fraternities operate in Jefferson County. The same hazing happens here. And we will fight for Jefferson County families with the same fury.
This guide explains your rights, what to do next, and how we can help — no matter where in Jefferson County or Alabama you are.
🚨 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Alabama)
Hazing is defined under Alabama law as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
This includes:
- Forced physical activity (pushups, squats, runs until exhaustion)
- Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or other substances
- Sleep deprivation
- Physical assault (hitting, paddling, branding)
- Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Sexual humiliation or assault
Alabama law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.
🏥 Common Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing isn’t just embarrassing — it can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
| Injury | Symptoms | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Severe muscle pain, dark urine, inability to move | Kidney failure, permanent kidney damage, death |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Confusion, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Headaches, dizziness, memory loss, seizures | Permanent cognitive impairment |
| Heat Stroke | High body temperature, confusion, fainting | Organ damage, death |
| Hypothermia | Shivering, slurred speech, weak pulse | Frostbite, cardiac arrest |
| PTSD / Anxiety / Depression | Nightmares, flashbacks, social withdrawal | Long-term mental health struggles, suicide risk |
If your child was hospitalized, forced to drop out, or is suffering from any of these symptoms, you have a case.
⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Jefferson County?
You can sue multiple parties, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University / College | Failed to protect students; may own the property where hazing occurred |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Former Members / Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes or properties |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability |
Jefferson County families: Even if the hazing happened at a university outside Jefferson County (like UAB, Samford, or Auburn), we can still pursue your case. We serve clients across Alabama and nationwide.
💰 What Compensation Can Jefferson County Families Receive?
You may be entitled to:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Educational Damages | Tuition refunds, scholarship loss, academic disruption |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking) |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
- $10.1 million (Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million jury verdict (LSU / Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million (Penn State / Beta Theta Pi)
Our current case: We are seeking $10 million for a student hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats. Jefferson County families deserve the same justice.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Jefferson County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Go to the ER if your child has dark urine, severe pain, confusion, or other concerning symptoms.
- Document everything — take photos of injuries, save medical records.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
- Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing.
- Write down names of witnesses, participants, and anyone who knew about the hazing.
- Do NOT delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating.
Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- Do NOT talk to fraternity/sorority leaders, university administrators, or their lawyers without legal representation.
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization or its insurance company.
- Do NOT post about the incident on social media.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call our hazing hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Free consultation — no upfront cost
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Jefferson County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
- Jefferson County families get the same aggressive representation we bring to Houston.
2. We Know the Playbook — Because We Used to Defend It
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are both former insurance defense attorneys.
- We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize or deny claims.
- We use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery.
3. We Serve Jefferson County and All of Alabama
- While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Jefferson County.
- Federal court authority — we can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction.
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York.
- We travel to Jefferson County for depositions, client meetings, and trials.
4. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Hazing affects students of all backgrounds.
- We provide bilingual legal services to Spanish-speaking families in Jefferson County.
5. We Care About More Than Money
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena
We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We fight to stop the cycle of hazing so no other Jefferson County family has to go through this.
📞 Jefferson County Families: Call Us Now
Hazing is a legal emergency. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.
If your child was hazed in Jefferson County or anywhere in Alabama, call us immediately:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if we win.
🔥 To Fraternities and Sororities in Jefferson County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Pi Kappa Alpha. Phi Delta Theta. Beta Theta Pi. Sigma Chi. Kappa Sigma. Sigma Nu. And every other Greek organization operating in Jefferson County:
We know what you do. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
If you haze students in Jefferson County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue your chapter, your nationals, your housing corporation, your alumni, and your university.
The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ To Universities Near Jefferson County: You Are Liable Too
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Samford University. Birmingham-Southern College. Miles College. And every other college and university in Jefferson County:
You have a duty to protect your students. When you own fraternity houses, when you receive hazing reports, when you fail to implement real oversight — you are liable.
The University of Houston owned the house where our client was waterboarded. They knew about a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017. They did nothing. Now they’re a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit.
Jefferson County institutions: You could be next.
📚 Hazing Resources for Jefferson County Families
Alabama Hazing Laws
- Alabama Code § 16-1-23 — Hazing is a Class C misdemeanor (up to 3 months jail, $500 fine).
- Alabama Code § 16-1-24 — Organizations that condone hazing can be fined up to $15,000 and lose recognition.
- Consent is NOT a defense — Alabama law explicitly states that a victim’s consent does not justify hazing.
National Organizations with Hazing Histories
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases |
|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017); Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025) |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021) |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple hazing deaths and injuries |
| Sigma Chi | Hazing lawsuits at multiple universities |
What to Do If You Suspect Hazing
- Call 911 if there’s an immediate medical emergency.
- Report to university (but do NOT do this without legal counsel).
- Contact Attorney 911 before speaking to anyone from the organization.
- Preserve evidence — take photos, save texts, write down details.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Jefferson County Families
Q: My child was hazed at UAB / Samford / another school. Can you help?
A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Jefferson County and all of Alabama. Distance is not a barrier.
Q: We can’t afford a lawyer. How much does this cost?
A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented.” Does that matter?
A: No. Alabama law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Alabama’s statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years from the date of injury. However, do not wait — evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Contact us immediately.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the organization is affiliated with a Jefferson County university, we can still pursue your case.
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How do you protect them?
A: We take this very seriously. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We will protect your child’s identity and pursue legal action against anyone who retaliates.
Q: Can we sue the university too?
A: Yes, if the university failed to protect your child. This includes:
- Failing to investigate prior hazing reports
- Owning or controlling the property where hazing occurred
- Failing to implement real oversight of Greek organizations
Q: What if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injury?
A: You may still have a case. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is compensable. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, the emotional and academic impact of hazing can be severe.
Q: How much is our case worth?
A: It depends on the severity of the hazing, the injuries, and the defendants’ ability to pay. Recent hazing cases have resulted in millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. We will evaluate your case and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
🏆 Our Track Record in Hazing Cases
Current Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi (2025)
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure)
- Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston, individual members
- Damages Sought: $10 million
- Hazing Activities: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
- Status: Lawsuit filed; chapter shut down; criminal investigation ongoing
Prior Hazing Experience
- Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation — Represented victims of hazing at Texas universities
- Texas A&M hazing cases — Experience with forced exercise and rhabdomyolysis
- Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation — Medical expertise in cases involving muscle breakdown
Why This Matters for Jefferson County Families
We are not just personal injury lawyers. We are hazing litigation specialists. We understand:
- Greek life culture
- University administrative processes
- Insurance structures of national organizations
- The psychological impact of hazing
- How to build a case that wins in court
📞 Jefferson County Families: Your Next Step
If your child was hazed in Jefferson County or anywhere in Alabama, you have legal rights. You have the power to hold the responsible parties accountable. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hazing hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
No upfront cost. No fee unless we win. We fight for Jefferson County families — no matter where the hazing occurred.
🔥 Together, We Can End Hazing in Jefferson County
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s abuse. And it has to stop.
By stepping forward, you’re not just seeking justice for your child — you’re protecting the next student. You’re sending a message that Jefferson County will not tolerate torture disguised as tradition.
We are Attorney 911. We are ready to fight for you.
