Hazing Lawyer in Jones County, MS | Attorney 911 Fights for Victims

Jones County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the battle right now, and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Jones County families.

If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in Jones County or nearby, you have legal rights. The same national fraternities that operate in Houston have chapters near Jones County. The same hazing “traditions” exist. The same negligence occurs. And we will fight for Jones County families with the same determination.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Free, confidential consultation for Jones County hazing victims

What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Jones County

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing at the University of Houston. The fraternity:

Waterboarded him with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
Forced him to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
Made him eat until he vomited, then forced him to keep running
Struck him with wooden paddles
Forced him to strip to his underwear in cold weather
Hog-tied another pledge for over an hour
Threatened expulsion if he didn’t comply

This isn’t “tradition.” This is torture. This is assault. This happens in Jones County too.

Why Jones County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Case Right Now

While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win. Jones County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing in Houston.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña — worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to deny claims. And we know how to dismantle their defenses.

3. We Will Travel to Jones County

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We will travel to Jones County for depositions, meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. $0 Upfront Cost for Jones County Families

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

5. Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, giving us the power to pursue hazing cases across state lines — critical when suing national fraternities.

6. Bilingual Representation

Se habla español. We serve Jones County’s Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.

Jones County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

Mississippi Hazing Law (Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-105)

Hazing is a crime in Mississippi. It’s defined as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.

Penalties:

Misdemeanor for hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury
Felony (up to 5 years in prison) if hazing causes serious injury or death

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says it doesn’t matter.

Civil Liability for Jones County Hazing

Beyond criminal charges, Jones County families can sue for:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
Lost wages and earning capacity
Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
Wrongful death (if the worst happens)

Who can be sued in Jones County:

The local fraternity/sorority chapter
The national organization
The university or college
Individual members who participated
Chapter officers (president, risk manager, etc.)
Alumni who hosted hazing at their homes

Hazing Happens in Jones County — And It’s Not Just Fraternities

Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life. It happens in:

Fraternities and sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others have chapters near Jones County)
Sports teams (football, baseball, soccer, etc.)
Marching bands
ROTC programs
Honor societies
Student clubs and organizations

If your child was hazed in Jones County, we can help.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Jones County

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.

2. Preserve All Evidence

Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails (screenshot everything)
Photos and videos of injuries or hazing activities
Witness names and contact information
Medical records from hospital or doctor visits
Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

DO NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to the organization without legal counsel
❌ Sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university
❌ Post about the incident on social media

3. Report the Hazing

File a police report (hazing is a crime in Mississippi)
Report to the university’s Title IX office or student affairs
Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. The statute of limitations is short — you may have as little as 1 year to take legal action.

Jones County Hazing Cases We Handle

Type of Hazing	Examples	Legal Claims
Physical Abuse	Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise	Assault, battery, hazing
Forced Consumption	Alcohol, food, drugs, non-food substances	Hazing, reckless endangerment
Psychological Abuse	Humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation	Intentional infliction of emotional distress
Sexual Abuse	Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects	Sexual assault, hazing
Waterboarding/Drowning	Simulated drowning, held underwater	Assault, battery, hazing
Exposure	Cold weather, heat, confined spaces	Hazing, reckless endangerment
Servitude	Forced cleaning, driving, errands	Hazing, false imprisonment

If your child experienced any of these in Jones County, call us now.

Jones County Universities and Colleges: Greek Life Hazing Risks

While we don’t have documented hazing incidents at every school, hazing happens everywhere Greek life exists. Near Jones County, students attend:

Jones County Junior College (Ellisville)
University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, ~30 miles away)
William Carey University (Hattiesburg)
Pearl River Community College (Poplarville)

National fraternities with chapters at these schools include:

Pi Kappa Phi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Kappa Sigma
Pi Kappa Alpha
Sigma Chi
Phi Delta Theta
And many others

These same organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. The same risks exist in Jones County.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These same results are possible for Jones County victims:

Case	University	Fraternity	Outcome
Stone Foltz	Bowling Green State	Pi Kappa Alpha	$10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver	Louisiana State	Phi Delta Theta	$6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza	Penn State	Beta Theta Pi	$110+ million (estimated)
Andrew Coffey	Florida State	Pi Kappa Phi	Confidential settlement
Adam Oakes	Virginia Commonwealth	Delta Chi	$4+ million settlement

These cases prove that hazing victims win. The same justice is available to Jones County families.

Why Jones County Families Fear Reporting Hazing

We understand why hazing victims in Jones County don’t come forward:

✅ Fear of retaliation — Our Houston client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution”
✅ Loyalty to the organization — “I don’t want to get my brothers/sisters in trouble”
✅ Shame and embarrassment — “I should have been able to handle it”
✅ Not recognizing it as hazing — “This is just how it’s always been”
✅ Pressure to stay quiet — “If you tell, you’ll never get in”

You are not alone. We protect our clients. We fight for justice. And we make sure this never happens to another Jones County student.

Jones County Hazing Lawyer: What We Do for You

When you hire Attorney 911 for your Jones County hazing case, we:

Investigate Immediately — Preserve evidence before it disappears
Identify All Liable Parties — Chapter, nationals, university, individuals
Calculate Full Damages — Medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages
Negotiate Aggressively — We don’t accept lowball offers
Litigate if Necessary — We’re not afraid to take your case to trial
Protect Your Privacy — We handle media and public attention
Travel to Jones County — For depositions, meetings, and court appearances

Jones County Hazing Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My child signed a waiver. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Mississippi law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed something, the fraternity can still be held liable.

Q: The fraternity says it was “just tradition.” Is that an excuse?

A: No. “Tradition” doesn’t make illegal activity legal. Waterboarding is torture whether it’s done to a prisoner or a college student.

Q: My child wasn’t seriously injured. Is it still worth pursuing?

A: Yes. Even minor injuries can support a claim. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) also qualifies.

Q: How much is my Jones County hazing case worth?

A: It depends on the severity of injuries, medical bills, and egregiousness of conduct. Our current case seeks $10 million. We evaluate each case individually.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Mississippi?

A: Typically 1-3 years, depending on the claim. Contact us immediately — evidence disappears fast.

Q: The fraternity already punished the members involved. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Internal discipline doesn’t prevent civil liability. The university and national organization may still be responsible.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How do you protect them?

We take client safety seriously. We:

Handle all communications with the organization
Protect your identity when possible
Pursue legal remedies if retaliation occurs

Jones County Hazing Resources

Report Hazing in Mississippi:

Mississippi State University Hazing Hotline: (662) 325-3270
University of Southern Mississippi Hazing Report Form: USM Hazing Reporting
Mississippi Attorney General’s Office: (601) 359-3680

Medical Resources:

South Central Regional Medical Center (Laurel, MS) — (601) 426-4161
Forrest General Hospital (Hattiesburg, MS) — (601) 288-7000

Mental Health Support:

Mississippi Department of Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-210-8513
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Jones County Hazing Lawyer: Contact Attorney 911

If your child was hazed in Jones County, call us immediately. We are ready to fight for you.

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