🚨 Hazing Victims in Johnson County, Tennessee: You Are Not Alone
Johnson County families: If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization, you are not powerless. What happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston — waterboarding, forced exercise until kidney failure, physical abuse — is happening at institutions near Johnson County too. The same fraternities operate near Johnson County. The same negligence exists at Johnson County schools. And we are fighting back.
At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Johnson County families.
🏥 What Hazing Does to Victims
Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “building character.” It’s abuse. It’s torture. And it destroys lives.
Our client was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being forced to perform extreme physical exercises. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life. But the damage goes beyond physical injuries:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from waterboarding and physical abuse
- Anxiety and depression from humiliation and degradation
- Fear of retribution for speaking out
- Academic disruption — delayed enrollment, lost scholarships
- Career impact — delayed graduation, lost internship opportunities
- Long-term health consequences — potential chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplant
Johnson County parents: If your child has been hazed, they may be suffering in silence. They may be afraid to speak up. They may not even realize they have legal rights. They need help. And they deserve justice.
🔍 Does This Sound Like Your Child?
Warning Signs of Hazing in Johnson County Students:
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs | Emotional Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Unexplained bruises or injuries | Sudden withdrawal from social activities | Anxiety or panic attacks |
| Extreme fatigue or exhaustion | Loss of interest in school or hobbies | Depression or hopelessness |
| Changes in sleep patterns | Secretive behavior about activities | Suicidal thoughts or self-harm |
| Visible weight loss or gain | Sudden new friend group | Fear of authority figures |
| Complaints of muscle pain | Avoidance of certain locations | Nightmares or flashbacks |
| Difficulty walking or moving | Changes in academic performance | Emotional outbursts |
| Signs of alcohol poisoning | Unexplained absences | Loss of trust in others |
If you notice these signs in your Johnson County child, they may be a victim of hazing. Don’t wait for them to tell you — they may be too afraid or ashamed. Reach out to us immediately.
📞 Johnson County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation
Legal Emergency Hotline for Johnson County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Johnson County families. We will travel to Johnson County for your case.
💰 What Johnson County Families Can Recover
You may be entitled to significant compensation, including:
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills — hospital stays, ER visits, specialists, therapy
- Future medical expenses — ongoing treatment, potential dialysis or transplant
- Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
- Lost earning capacity — if injuries affect future career
- Educational damages — tuition, fees, lost scholarships
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering — from hazing activities and injuries
- Mental anguish — PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Emotional distress — humiliation, shame, loss of trust
- Loss of enjoyment of life — inability to participate in normal activities
- Disfigurement — scars from burns, branding, or injuries
Punitive Damages:
- To punish egregious conduct — like waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse
- To deter future hazing — send a message that this won’t be tolerated
- To hold institutions accountable — universities and national organizations
Johnson County families: These damages are real, and they are substantial. Our $10 million demand in the Pi Kappa Phi case is based on proven precedent. The same compensation is available for Johnson County victims.
⚖️ Tennessee Hazing Laws: What Johnson County Families Need to Know
Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 — Hazing
Definition of Hazing:
Any intentional or reckless act, on or off campus, by one student acting alone or with others, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization.
This includes:
- Physical brutality (beating, paddling, branding)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Sleep deprivation
- Exposure to extreme weather
- Confinement
- Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm
Johnson County Application: The hazing your child experienced likely violates Tennessee law, regardless of where it occurred.
Criminal Penalties in Tennessee:
| Offense | Punishment |
|---|---|
| Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 11 months, 29 days in jail; up to $2,500 fine |
| Class E Felony | If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death — 1-6 years in prison; up to $3,000 fine |
Note: Consent is NOT a defense in Tennessee.
Civil Liability for Hazing:
Johnson County families can sue for:
- Negligence — failure to protect students
- Assault and battery — intentional harmful contact
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress — extreme and outrageous conduct
- Premises liability — if hazing occurred on property owned by the university
- Negligent supervision — failure to monitor organizations
Who Can Be Sued:
- Local chapters — the organization that conducted hazing
- National organizations — failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing
- Universities and colleges — failed to protect students
- Individual members — those who participated in or facilitated hazing
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Johnson County Hazing?
1. Greek Organizations (Fraternities/Sororities)
Local Chapters:
- Directly organize and conduct hazing activities
- Chapter officers (president, pledge master) have leadership responsibility
- Individual members participate in hazing
National Organizations:
- Have actual knowledge of hazing risks (many have prior incidents)
- Failed to implement effective oversight
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
- Deep pockets — substantial assets and insurance
Johnson County Example: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and other national fraternities have active chapters at universities near Johnson County. If your child was hazed at one of these chapters, the national organization can be held liable.
2. Universities and Colleges Near Johnson County
Why Universities Are Liable:
- Duty to protect students — universities have a legal responsibility to keep students safe
- Premises liability — if hazing occurred on university-owned property
- Negligent supervision — failed to monitor Greek life despite knowing about hazing risks
- Institutional knowledge — many universities have prior hazing incidents
Johnson County Institutions at Risk:
While Johnson County is a smaller community, nearby universities with Greek life include:
- East Tennessee State University (ETSU) — Johnson City, TN (less than 30 minutes from Johnson County)
- Appalachian State University — Boone, NC (about 1 hour away)
- University of North Carolina at Asheville — Asheville, NC (about 1.5 hours away)
- Western Carolina University — Cullowhee, NC (about 2 hours away)
If your child attends or pledges at any of these institutions, the university may share liability for hazing.
3. Individual Perpetrators
Who Can Be Sued Individually:
- Chapter officers — president, pledge master, risk manager
- Active members — those who participated in hazing
- Former members — those who facilitated or hosted hazing
- Alumni — if they were involved in hazing activities
Why This Matters:
- Personal liability — individuals can be ordered to pay damages personally
- Criminal exposure — hazing is a crime in Tennessee
- Insurance coverage — homeowner’s policies may provide coverage
Stone Foltz Precedent: In 2024, the former president of a fraternity was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally for his role in a hazing death. Johnson County individuals face the same exposure.
4. Insurance Companies
The Real Money Comes From:
- Fraternity national organization’s liability insurance
- University’s institutional insurance
- Homeowner’s insurance of individual members
- Umbrella policies that provide additional coverage
As former insurance defense attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena know exactly how to pursue these policies and maximize recovery for Johnson County families.
📚 Precedent Cases: Johnson County Families CAN Win
These cases prove that hazing lawsuits result in multi-million dollar awards — and Johnson County families can achieve the same results.
1. Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University (2021)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
Injury: Death from alcohol poisoning
Outcome: $10.1 million total recovery
- $2.9 million from university
- $7.2 million from fraternity and individuals
Why This Matters for Johnson County:
- $10 million is achievable — our current case demands the same amount
- Universities pay — the university was held liable
- Individuals pay — chapter officers faced personal liability
2. Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University (2017)
Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
Injury: Death from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495 — 6x legal limit)
Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict
Why This Matters for Johnson County:
- Juries award millions for hazing deaths and injuries
- Led to Max Gruver Act — made hazing a felony in Louisiana
- Criminal + civil liability — fraternity member convicted of negligent homicide
3. Timothy Piazza — Penn State University (2017)
Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
Injury: Death from traumatic brain injury and abdominal hemorrhage
Outcome: $110+ million settlement (estimated)
Why This Matters for Johnson County:
- Strong evidence = massive outcome — security cameras captured everything
- Multiple criminal convictions — fraternity members convicted of involuntary manslaughter
- Led to Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law — Pennsylvania passed stricter hazing laws
4. Andrew Coffey — Florida State University (2017)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi — SAME FRATERNITY AS OUR CURRENT CASE
Injury: Death from alcohol poisoning
Outcome: Settlement (amount confidential)
Why This Matters for Johnson County:
- Pi Kappa Phi knew about deadly hazing — Andrew Coffey died in 2017, yet they allowed Leonel Bermudez to be hospitalized in 2025
- Pattern of negligence — same national organization, same deadly culture
- Johnson County chapters face the same risk — Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Johnson County
🎯 Why Johnson County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight. Johnson County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how insurance companies:
- Try to minimize claims
- Delay payments
- Deny liability
- Lowball settlements
We use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Johnson County families.
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue Your Case Anywhere
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal litigation. This means:
- We can represent Johnson County families regardless of where the hazing occurred
- We can pursue national fraternity organizations in federal court
- We have the resources to take on large institutional defendants
4. Dual-State Bar Admission — Strategic Advantage for Johnson County Cases
Both attorneys are licensed in Texas AND New York. This is a strategic advantage for Johnson County hazing cases because:
- Many national fraternities and sororities are headquartered in New York
- We can pursue them in their home jurisdiction
- We understand the legal landscape in both states
5. We Travel to Johnson County
Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to Johnson County for:
- Client meetings
- Depositions
- Court appearances
- Trials
Johnson County families: You don’t have to come to us. We come to you.
6. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront for Johnson County Families
We understand that cost can be a prohibitive factor in hiring a lawyer, especially for Johnson County families dealing with the trauma of hazing. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:
- You pay $0 upfront
- We don’t get paid unless we win your case
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
Johnson County families: This means you can fight back against powerful institutions without financial risk.
7. Bilingual Services — Se Habla Español
Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. We provide comprehensive legal services to Spanish-speaking clients, including:
- Initial consultations in Spanish
- Ongoing case communication in Spanish
- Document translation and explanation
- Courtroom interpretation coordination
Johnson County Hispanic families: Language barriers will not prevent you from seeking justice.
8. Proven Track Record of Results
We have recovered millions of dollars for victims across multiple practice areas, including:
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience against large corporations
- Wrongful death cases — representing families who lost loved ones
- Catastrophic injury cases — including brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Insurance bad faith claims — holding insurance companies accountable
Johnson County families: This experience directly applies to hazing cases involving institutional negligence and wrongful death.
9. We Understand the Culture
Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach. He understands:
- Team dynamics
- Locker room culture
- The pressures young people face in competitive environments
- How “tradition” can be used to justify abuse
This cultural understanding helps us build stronger cases and connect with juries.
10. We Protect Our Clients
Hazing victims often fear retribution for speaking out. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” (ABC13).
We protect Johnson County clients by:
- Handling all communications with defendants
- Protecting your privacy
- Taking legal action against retaliation
- Ensuring your safety throughout the process
📋 What Johnson County Families Should Do Right Now
If Your Child Has Been Hazed:
-
Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document everything medically — this creates evidence
- Follow all treatment recommendations
-
Preserve All Evidence
- Text messages — Do NOT delete anything
- Social media — Screenshot all relevant posts, messages, stories
- Photos/videos — Document injuries at all stages of healing
- Physical evidence — Clothing, objects used in hazing
- Witness information — Get names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do NOT give statements to fraternity/sorority leadership
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
- Do NOT post about the incident on social media
-
Do NOT Talk to the University Alone
- University administrators protect the institution, not you
- Anything you say can be used against you
-
Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- 1-888-ATTY-911
- We will guide you through the next steps
- We will preserve evidence and protect your rights
-
Report the Incident
- Consider filing a police report
- Consider filing a Title IX report (if applicable)
⏳ Johnson County Families: Time Is Critical
Statute of Limitations in Tennessee:
- Personal Injury: 1 year from date of injury
- Wrongful Death: 1 year from date of death
DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.
In the Pi Kappa Phi case, we acted immediately:
- Client hospitalized November 6, 2025
- Lawsuit filed November 21, 2025
- This is how you protect your rights.
🎯 Specific Hazing Scenarios We Handle for Johnson County Families
We represent Johnson County victims of all types of hazing, including:
| Scenario | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, burning | Struck with wooden paddles; forced to do 500 squats |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol, food, non-food substances | Forced to drink until vomiting; eat until passing out |
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with water | Sprayed with garden hose while doing calisthenics |
| Extreme Exercise | Forced physical activity to exhaustion | 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings | Driving fraternity members at 3 AM |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, threats | Hog-tied with object in mouth; carrying sexual objects |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts | Sexual humiliation; assault |
| Exposure | Cold weather, heat, confined spaces | Forced to strip to underwear in cold; left outside |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving, errands | Driving members at all hours; cleaning fraternity house |
Johnson County families: If your child experienced any of these, we can help.
🏛️ Johnson County Institutions at Risk
While Johnson County itself may not have large universities, nearby institutions with Greek life include:
| Institution | Location | Distance from Johnson County | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) | Johnson City, TN | Less than 30 minutes | Active Greek system |
| Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | ~1 hour | Active Greek system |
| University of North Carolina at Asheville | Asheville, NC | ~1.5 hours | Active Greek system |
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC | ~2 hours | Active Greek system |
Johnson County families: If your child attends or pledges at any of these institutions, the university may share liability for hazing.
📢 Message to Fraternities Near Johnson County
To the fraternities operating at ETSU, Appalachian State, UNC Asheville, and Western Carolina:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Johnson County, know that Attorney 911 represents 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 near Johnson County. Your chapter could be next.
📞 Johnson County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation
Legal Emergency Hotline for Johnson County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Available 24/7. We will travel to Johnson County for your case.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Johnson County Families
1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still call?
YES. You don’t have to decide to sue right away. We offer free consultations to help you understand your options. Sometimes, just knowing your rights can empower your child to speak up.
2. The fraternity says my child consented. Is that a defense?
NO. Tennessee law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. The law is clear: you cannot consent to being hazed.
3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be liable?
YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement adequate oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable for hazing they “should have known” about.
4. My child was hazed at a university outside Tennessee. Can you still help?
YES. We represent hazing victims nationwide. Our federal court authority allows us to pursue cases in any state.
5. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
$0 upfront. We work on contingency — we don’t get paid unless we win your case. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
6. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
It varies. Some cases settle within months. Others take years, especially if they go to trial. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.
7. Will my child have to testify in court?
Not necessarily. Most cases settle before trial. If the case does go to trial, we will prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.
8. Can we sue the individual members who hazed my child?
YES. Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be held personally liable. This includes chapter officers, active members, and even alumni.
9. What if my child was hazed at a high school in Johnson County?
We can help. Hazing occurs at all levels — high school sports teams, bands, clubs. We represent victims of all ages.
10. What if my child was hazed years ago?
It depends. Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, there may be exceptions for delayed discovery of injuries. Call us immediately to discuss your situation.
🔥 Final Message to Johnson County Families
Johnson County parents: You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity. That trust was betrayed.
Johnson County students: You wanted to make friends. You wanted to join a brotherhood or sisterhood. You wanted to belong. Instead, you were abused. You were tortured. You were humiliated.
This is not your fault. You are not alone. And you are not powerless.
At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle right now. We are holding institutions accountable. We are winning millions for victims. And we will bring the same fight to Johnson County.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. $10 million lawsuit ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze near Johnson County.
Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves accountability. And the next student deserves to be safe.
Call us now. We’re ready to fight for Johnson County.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
Johnson County families: Your legal emergency is our priority.
