🛡️ Jenkins County Hazing Victims Legal Guide
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Does Justice
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Jenkins County, Georgia and Nationwide
🚨 Jenkins County Parents & Students: This Is Happening Near You
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities. It happens right here in Georgia — at colleges and high schools near Jenkins County. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston have chapters at Georgia universities. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at institutions your children attend.
If your child is in Greek life, sports, band, ROTC, or any student organization in Jenkins County or nearby — they could be at risk.
We’re fighting this battle right now in Texas. Jenkins County families deserve the same aggressive representation.
🏢 Who We Are — Jenkins County’s Hazing Litigation Experts
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Offices: Houston, Austin, Beaumont
Service Area: Jenkins County, Georgia + All of America
We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This is the same fight we’ll bring to Jenkins County.
Why Jenkins County Families Choose Attorney 911
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Jenkins County |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years Courtroom Experience | Battle-tested trial attorneys who know how to win |
| Former Insurance Defense Insight | We know how insurance companies try to deny claims — and how to beat them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue Jenkins County cases in federal court |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York licensed — strategic advantage against national fraternities |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Jenkins County families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case — same strategies available for Jenkins County |
| Will Travel to Jenkins County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings — distance is not a barrier |
🎓 The Hazing Crisis in Jenkins County & Georgia
Jenkins County, Don’t Think It Can’t Happen Here
Hazing isn’t limited to Ivy League schools or large universities. It happens at:
- Georgia colleges near Jenkins County — Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, Augusta University
- Georgia high schools — in sports teams, marching bands, and clubs
- Military programs — ROTC and service academies
- Honor societies and clubs — not just Greek life
The same national fraternities with hazing histories operate at Georgia institutions near Jenkins County:
- Pi Kappa Phi — Chapter at Georgia Southern University
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon — Multiple Georgia chapters
- Pi Kappa Alpha — Multiple Georgia chapters
- Phi Delta Theta — Multiple Georgia chapters
- Kappa Sigma — Multiple Georgia chapters
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Jenkins County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
What Jenkins County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
Hazing is not:
- “Boys being boys”
- “Building character”
- “Just having fun”
- “Tradition”
Hazing is:
- Assault — physical abuse is a crime
- Battery — unwanted physical contact is a crime
- Torture — waterboarding is torture, even when fraternities do it
- Reckless endangerment — putting lives at risk
- Sometimes manslaughter or murder — when it kills
The Statistics (National — Applies to Georgia Too):
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
- 40% of student athletes report hazing
- Since 2000, at least one hazing death per year in the U.S.
- 95% of hazing victims do NOT report it
- Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports, bands, ROTC, clubs, and other organizations
The Medical Reality:
- Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure (like our client)
- Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal (like Stone Foltz, Andrew Coffey)
- Traumatic brain injury — from beatings or falls
- Hypothermia/hyperthermia — from exposure
- Cardiac arrest — from extreme physical exertion
- PTSD, anxiety, depression — long-term psychological damage
- Death
⚠️ The Landmark Case — This Is What Hazing Looks Like
Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston — $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)
What Happened to Our Client:
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
The Hazing Activities:
- Waterboarding — simulated drowning with a garden hose
- 500+ squats, 100+ pushups — forced until he collapsed
- Wooden paddles — struck repeatedly
- Forced eating — milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
- Sleep deprivation — forced to drive members at all hours
- Psychological torture — humiliation, threats of expulsion
- Another pledge collapsed unconscious — they kept going
The Outcome:
- November 3, 2025 — Bermudez punished with extreme exercise, collapsed, couldn’t stand
- November 6, 2025 — Mother rushes him to hospital with kidney failure
- November 6-10, 2025 — 3 nights, 4 days hospitalized
- November 14, 2025 — Pi Kappa Phi closes chapter (7 days before lawsuit)
- November 21, 2025 — $10 MILLION LAWSUIT FILED by Attorney 911
Why This Matters to Jenkins County:
- Pi Kappa Phi has a chapter at Georgia Southern University — near Jenkins County
- The same fraternities operate at Georgia universities near Jenkins County
- The same “traditions” exist in Georgia chapters
- Universities near Jenkins County have the same oversight failures
- If your child is hazed in Georgia, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Texas
💰 Precedent Cases — Hazing Victims Win Millions
Jenkins County Families: These Results Are Possible for You Too
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential |
| Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 Million Lawsuit Pending |
Key Takeaway:
Juries and courts award millions in hazing cases. The same legal strategies apply to Jenkins County and Georgia victims.
⚖️ Jenkins County Hazing Victims’ Legal Rights
Georgia Hazing Law — What You Need to Know
Georgia Code § 16-5-61 — Hazing
Definition:
“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act which endangers the physical health of a student and which is committed for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any school organization.”
Penalties:
- Misdemeanor — Up to 12 months in jail, $1,000 fine
- Felony — If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death: 1-5 years in prison
Consent is NOT a Defense:
“The consent of the victim shall not be a defense to any prosecution under this Code section.”
This means: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal and they can still sue.
Who Is Liable for Jenkins County Hazing?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Knew or should have known about hazing; failed to supervise |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing; premises liability if hazing occurred on campus |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Housing Corporations | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
Jenkins County Families: We sue everyone responsible — not just the individuals, but the institutions that enabled the abuse.
📋 What Jenkins County Families Should Do If Hazing Occurs
Step-by-Step Action Guide
1. Ensure Immediate Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation
- Call 911 if medical attention is needed
2. Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document all injuries and symptoms
- Request copies of all medical records
3. Preserve Evidence
- Photos/Videos: Document injuries at all stages of healing
- Communications: Save all texts, emails, social media messages, GroupMe chats
- Physical Evidence: Clothing, objects used in hazing
- Witness Information: Names and contact info of other victims/witnesses
- Academic Records: Show impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships
4. Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do NOT confront fraternity/sorority leadership
- Do NOT give statements to university administrators without legal counsel
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
5. Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Do NOT post about the incident
- Do NOT post photos that could be used against you
- Do NOT engage with Greek life members online
6. Report to Authorities (Optional but Recommended)
- File a police report
- File a Title IX complaint (for gender-based hazing)
- Report to university (but do this with an attorney)
7. Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call Attorney 911: 1-888-ATTY-911
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Free consultation — no upfront cost
Why Act Fast?
- Evidence disappears — organizations destroy records, delete messages
- Witnesses forget — memories fade over time
- Statute of limitations — Georgia law gives you 2 years to file a lawsuit
- Insurance companies lowball — they’ll offer pennies on the dollar if you’re unrepresented
🎯 What Jenkins County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Damages Available in Georgia Hazing Lawsuits
| Category | What It Covers | Jenkins County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, treatment, future care | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, therapy |
| Lost Wages | Income lost due to injuries | Time missed from work, internships |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | Agony of hazing, recovery process |
| Mental Anguish | Emotional trauma from abuse | PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing |
| Loss of Enjoyment | Inability to participate in life | Missing school, social activities, college experience |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced exercise, cover-ups |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral expenses, loss of companionship |
Georgia has NO CAP on pain and suffering damages — juries can award what they deem fair.
🏛️ Universities Near Jenkins County — They Have Liability Too
Georgia Colleges with Greek Life — Potential Liability
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Potential Hazing Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA (~1.5 hours from Jenkins County) | Strong Greek system; Pi Kappa Phi chapter | Same fraternity as our UH case; same hazing risks |
| Augusta University | Augusta, GA (~1 hour from Jenkins County) | Active Greek life | Hazing in fraternities and sororities |
| East Georgia State College | Swainsboro, GA (~30 minutes from Jenkins County) | Smaller but active Greek organizations | Hazing in smaller chapters can be more intense |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA (~3 hours from Jenkins County) | Large Greek system | High-profile chapters with hazing histories |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA (~3.5 hours from Jenkins County) | Urban Greek life | Hazing in city-based chapters |
Jenkins County Parents: If your child attends college near Jenkins County, they face the same hazing risks as students at major universities.
🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Jenkins County
What to Look For
| Category | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained bruises, injuries, limping; exhaustion; weight loss; dehydration |
| Behavioral | Withdrawal from friends/family; secrecy about activities; sudden changes in behavior; anxiety; depression; talk of “traditions” or “rites of passage” |
| Academic | Sudden drop in grades; missing classes; falling asleep in class; inability to focus |
| Social | Avoiding certain people; reluctance to discuss activities; sudden new friend group; being required to carry certain items |
| Financial | Unexplained expenses; being required to buy specific items; being forced to pay for events |
| Digital | Secretive about phone; new group chats with vague names; disappearing messages; coded language about “events” |
Jenkins County Parents: If you notice these signs, ask questions. If your child is evasive or afraid to answer, hazing may be occurring.
🚫 Common Defenses — And How We Defeat Them
What Defendants Will Argue — And Our Counterarguments
| Defense Claim | Our Counterargument | Georgia Law Support |
|---|---|---|
| “He consented to participate” | Coercion and peer pressure negate true consent | Georgia Code § 16-5-61: Consent is not a defense |
| “He knew the risks” | Victims rarely know what they’re consenting to | Hazing is hidden until it happens |
| “He could have left” | Fear of retaliation, social ostracism, losing membership = duress | Georgia law recognizes duress as negating consent |
| “It’s just tradition” | “Tradition” doesn’t legitimize illegal activity | Assault is assault, regardless of tradition |
| “Everyone does it” | Pattern of illegal conduct doesn’t make it legal | Georgia law criminalizes hazing regardless of prevalence |
| “The university didn’t know” | Universities have duty to supervise Greek life | Premises liability; negligent supervision |
📞 Jenkins County Families — Contact Us Immediately
Free Consultation — No Upfront Cost — We Come to You
Legal Emergency Hotline for Jenkins County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We work on CONTINGENCY — Jenkins County families pay $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless we WIN your case.
How We Serve Jenkins County Families:
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Consultation | Video call or in-person meeting — your choice |
| Evidence Preservation | We send preservation letters immediately to protect your case |
| Medical Documentation | We work with doctors to document injuries and future care needs |
| Investigation | We gather evidence, interview witnesses, build your case |
| Negotiation | We negotiate with insurance companies and defendants |
| Litigation | If needed, we file lawsuits and take your case to trial |
| Travel to Jenkins County | For depositions, client meetings, and trials |
| Remote Representation | For Jenkins County families who can’t travel |
🎯 Special Message to Jenkins County Fraternities & Sororities
To the Chapters Operating Near Jenkins County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near Jenkins County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in Georgia.
🏆 Why Jenkins County Families Choose Us Over Local Attorneys
| Advantage | Local Attorney | Attorney 911 |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing Experience | May not have handled hazing cases | Currently litigating $10M hazing case |
| National Fraternity Knowledge | Limited to local chapters | Know how nationals operate; know their insurance |
| Insurance Expertise | May not know how to maximize insurance payouts | Former insurance defense attorneys — know the playbook |
| Federal Court Authority | May not be admitted to federal court | Admitted to U.S. District Court — can pursue federal claims |
| Travel Willingness | May not travel outside their county | We come to Jenkins County for your case |
| Contingency Fee | May require upfront payment | $0 upfront — we don’t get paid unless you win |
| Bilingual Staff | May not speak Spanish | Se habla español — serving all Jenkins County families |
📚 Jenkins County Hazing Resources
Georgia-Specific Resources
| Resource | Contact | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) | 404-244-2600 | Report criminal hazing |
| Georgia Department of Education | 404-656-2800 | Report school hazing |
| University System of Georgia | 404-962-3000 | Report college hazing |
| Georgia Southern University Police | 912-478-5234 | Report hazing at GSU |
| Augusta University Police | 706-721-2911 | Report hazing at Augusta University |
| East Georgia State College Police | 478-289-2090 | Report hazing at EGSC |
| Georgia Anti-Hazing Hotline | 1-888-NOT-HAZE | Anonymous reporting |
| Attorney 911 | 1-888-ATTY-911 | Legal representation for hazing victims |
🗓️ Jenkins County Hazing Timeline — Act Now
| Timeframe | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Immediately | Hazing incident occurs | Evidence is fresh; witnesses remember details |
| Within 24 Hours | Seek medical attention; preserve evidence | Medical records and photos document injuries |
| Within 1 Week | Contact Attorney 911 | We send preservation letters; protect evidence |
| Within 1 Month | Investigation underway | We gather witness statements, secure records |
| Within 6 Months | Medical treatment completed | We know full extent of injuries and future needs |
| Within 1 Year | Demand package sent | We negotiate with defendants for fair settlement |
| Within 2 Years | File lawsuit if needed | Georgia statute of limitations — 2 years |
| 2+ Years | Litigation or trial | If no settlement, we take your case to court |
Jenkins County Families: Do not wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.
🎖️ Our Promise to Jenkins County Families
“We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We will fight hard for Jenkins County families because we truly care.”
When a Jenkins County family’s child is hazed, they deserve more than just a lawyer. They deserve:
- A team that understands their pain
- Attorneys who will fight aggressively
- A law firm that won’t back down from powerful institutions
- Justice that prevents this from happening to another Jenkins County family
That’s Attorney 911.
🚨 Jenkins County Parents & Students: If You’re Reading This, Your Child May Be at Risk
Hazing doesn’t announce itself. It hides behind:
- “Team bonding” events
- “Brotherhood” or “sisterhood” activities
- “Traditions” and “rites of passage”
- “Voluntary” participation
But make no mistake: When it sends your child to the hospital — or worse — it’s not tradition. It’s abuse.
We’re fighting this battle right now. We will fight for Jenkins County families. Call us before it’s too late.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Jenkins County, Georgia and Nationwide
© 2025 Attorney 911. All rights reserved.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a representation agreement is signed.
Jenkins County families: Contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
