Hazing Lawyer in Lake County, Oregon – Protecting Victims of Fraternity and Sorority Abuse
Lake County Families: Your Child Deserved Better
If your son or daughter was subjected to hazing at a college or university near Lake County, Oregon, you’re not alone. The same fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate right here in our community. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized a student in Houston are happening at institutions near Lake County. And just like we’re fighting for justice in Texas, we’re ready to fight for Lake County families.
At Attorney 911, we’re 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 know how to win. Lake County students deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.
The Hazing Crisis in Lake County and Beyond
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes torture. And in far too many cases, it’s deadly.
What Hazing Really Looks Like
In our current case, a young man was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit
- Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, spending four days fighting for his life. This happened in Houston. But the same fraternities operate near Lake County. The same “traditions” exist here. And the same negligence by universities and national organizations allows it to continue.
Hazing Statistics You Need to Know
- 55% of college students in fraternities, sororities, and sports teams experience hazing
- 40% of student athletes report being hazed
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
- 95% of students who are hazed do not report it due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization
- Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations
Lake County parents: If your child is involved in Greek life, athletics, or any student organization, they are at risk.
Why Lake County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re not just personal injury lawyers. We’re hazing litigation specialists. We’re currently fighting this battle in court, and we’re bringing that same expertise to Lake County.
Our Advantages for Lake County Families
| Why Choose Us? | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit Experience | We’re currently litigating a $10M hazing case – same strategies available for Lake County victims |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies and fraternities try to deny claims – and how to beat them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue Lake County cases in federal court if needed |
| Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York) | Strategic advantage against national fraternities headquartered anywhere |
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas – available for Lake County cases |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Lake County families |
| Nationwide Reach | We serve hazing victims across America – distance is not a barrier |
| Contingency Fee Representation | $0 upfront – we don’t get paid unless you win |
We Understand the Lake County Community
Lake County is home to families who value hard work, integrity, and community. When a fraternity or sorority abuses that trust, it violates everything our community stands for. We understand the values of Lake County families, and we fight to protect them.
We Come to Lake County
While we’re based in Texas, we travel to Lake County for:
- Client meetings
- Depositions
- Court appearances
- Settlement negotiations
- Trial proceedings
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Lake County?
When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it can be held accountable. In our current case, we’re suing:
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter – for directly organizing and conducting hazing
- National fraternity/sorority organizations – for failing to supervise and prevent hazing
- Universities and colleges – for failing to protect students despite knowing the risks
- Individual members – for participating in or failing to stop hazing
- Housing corporations – for allowing hazing on their property
- Alumni – for hosting hazing events at their homes
Lake County parents: If your child was hazed, we will identify every responsible party and hold them accountable.
Lake County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
Oregon Hazing Laws
Oregon law (ORS 163.197) defines hazing as:
“Any act committed for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization, that recklessly endangers the physical health of another person.”
Penalties in Oregon:
- Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $6,250 fine)
- Class B felony if the hazing causes serious physical injury or death (up to 10 years in prison)
Important: Consent is not a defense – even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held criminally and civilly liable.
Civil Liability in Oregon
In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims can sue for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages (if the injury affects employment)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
- Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic impact)
Statute of Limitations:
- Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death
Lake County families: Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire. Contact us immediately.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lake County
Immediate Steps for Lake County Families
-
Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately
- Medical records create critical evidence
-
Preserve All Evidence
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs – take screenshots
- Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
- Medical records (keep all documentation)
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Fraternities/sororities will try to control the narrative
- They may offer “apologies” or “settlements” to silence you
- Anything you say can be used against you
-
Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Insurance companies and fraternities monitor social media
- Even innocent posts can be twisted to undermine your case
- Stay off social media until your case is resolved
-
Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We’ll guide you through the legal process
- We’ll handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
Frequently Asked Questions for Lake County Families
1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?
We understand the pressure victims feel. Many are afraid of retaliation or social consequences. But hazing doesn’t stop unless victims speak up. We can protect your child’s identity and pursue justice while minimizing their exposure.
Remember: In our current case, the victim is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is real, and we take it seriously. We’ll protect your child every step of the way.
2. Can we sue even if my child consented to participate?
Yes. Oregon law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
3. What if the hazing happened off-campus?
Hazing laws apply regardless of location. Whether it happened at a fraternity house, an off-campus apartment, or a remote field, the organization can still be held liable.
4. How much is a hazing case worth in Lake County?
Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Factors that increase value include:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
- Egregiousness of conduct (torture, sexual abuse, forced consumption)
- Pattern of hazing (prior incidents at the same chapter)
- Institutional knowledge (did the university or national organization know about prior hazing?)
- Wrongful death (if the hazing resulted in death)
Recent hazing settlements/verdicts:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
5. How long does a hazing case take?
Most cases settle within 12-24 months. More complex cases (especially those going to trial) can take 2-4 years. We work aggressively to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing compensation.
6. Will my child have to testify?
Most cases settle without a trial, so your child likely won’t have to testify. If the case does go to trial, we’ll prepare your child thoroughly and support them every step of the way.
7. Can we sue if the hazing didn’t result in physical injury?
Yes. Even if there are no physical injuries, hazing often causes severe psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression). These injuries are real and compensable.
8. What if my child is an immigrant or international student?
Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We’ve represented many immigrant students and understand their unique concerns. Se habla español.
9. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- $0 to hire us
- $0 out of pocket
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee is a percentage of the recovery (typically 33-40%)
Lake County families: You can afford justice.
10. What if the fraternity has already been suspended or closed?
Suspension or closure does not absolve the organization of liability. In fact, it often proves they knew about the problem. We’ll pursue the national organization, the university, and individual members regardless of the chapter’s status.
Lake County Institutions Where Hazing Occurs
While we can’t name specific incidents without documentation, we know that hazing happens at colleges and universities near Lake County, including:
- Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls campus)
- Nearby community colleges with Greek life or athletic programs
- Universities in neighboring counties where Lake County students attend
National fraternities and sororities with chapters near Lake County include:
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Beta Theta Pi
- Sigma Chi
- Kappa Sigma
- Delta Delta Delta
- Chi Omega
- And many others
Lake County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any institution, they are at risk.
The Attorney 911 Difference: We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
Our Current $10 Million Hazing Case: What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Lake County
We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The hazing included:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
✅ Struck with wooden paddles
✅ Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to lie in his own vomit
✅ Threatened with expulsion if he didn’t comply
He spent four days in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This happened in November 2025 – the same month this page was published.
Why this matters to Lake County families:
- The same Pi Kappa Phi fraternity operates chapters across America, including near Lake County
- The same national organizations that failed to stop this in Houston are present near Lake County
- The same universities that failed to protect students in Houston exist near Lake County
- If it can happen in Texas, it can happen in Oregon
The Defendants We’re Suing in Houston – The Same Defendants Exist Near Lake County
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Lake County Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi National | Failed to supervise despite “hazing crisis” knowledge | Operates chapters near Lake County |
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Same chapters exist near Lake County |
| University of Houston | Owned the fraternity house; failed to prevent hazing | Same institutional failures occur at Lake County-area universities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Same individuals exist in Lake County chapters |
| Housing Corporation | Allowed hazing on their property | Same housing corporations operate near Lake County |
Lake County families: We know how to sue these defendants. We’re doing it right now in Houston. We’ll do it for you in Lake County.
Lake County Hazing Victims: You Have Rights. We Have the Experience.
What Lake County Victims Can Recover
| Category | Examples | Lake County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment | Lake County hospitals and specialists |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work, lost internship opportunities | Local employment impact |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | Lake County mental health providers |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Applies to Lake County cases |
| Educational Disruption | Tuition, scholarships, academic impact | Local colleges and universities |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing resulted in death | Applies to Lake County families |
Lake County Families: Contact Us Immediately
Free, Confidential Consultation – 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free case evaluation for Lake County families
- Video consultations for remote meetings
- In-person meetings in Lake County
- Spanish-speaking staff (Se habla español)
- $0 upfront – contingency fee representation
What to Expect When You Call
- Initial Consultation: We’ll listen to your story and evaluate your case
- Evidence Review: We’ll assess the strength of your evidence
- Legal Strategy: We’ll explain your options and recommend next steps
- Immediate Action: We’ll send preservation letters to protect evidence
- Aggressive Representation: We’ll fight for maximum compensation
Lake County Hazing: It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable
Hazing has gone on for too long. It’s time to say enough is enough. If your child was hazed at a college or university near Lake County, Oregon, we can help.
We’re fighting this battle right now in Texas. We’ll fight it for Lake County families too.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
💙 Justice for Lake County hazing victims starts here.
