Hazing Victims in Lee County, Mississippi: Your Rights and How to Get Justice
Hazing Happens in Lee County Too – And It’s Time to Stop It
Lee County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to provide a positive experience. But too often, that trust is broken.
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It can cause permanent physical and psychological damage – or even death. And it happens right here in Mississippi, including at universities near Lee County.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t happening just in Texas – the same fraternities operate at universities near Lee County, and the same hazing culture exists here too.
If your child has been hazed in Lee County or anywhere in Mississippi, you have rights. And we can help.
What Counts as Hazing in Mississippi?
Mississippi law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization. This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, branding, burning
✅ Forced consumption – alcohol, drugs, food (even to the point of vomiting)
✅ Psychological torture – waterboarding, sleep deprivation, confinement, humiliation
✅ Sexual abuse – forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Extreme servitude – forced cleaning, driving members at all hours, personal errands
Mississippi Code § 97-3-105 makes hazing a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine. If hazing causes serious injury or death, the penalties increase significantly.
Important: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, Mississippi law says that doesn’t excuse the hazing.
Universities Near Lee County Where Hazing Occurs
Lee County is home to strong community values, but that doesn’t stop hazing from happening at nearby institutions. Some of the universities in and around Mississippi with active Greek life include:
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) – Oxford, MS (~1.5 hours from Lee County)
- Mississippi State University – Starkville, MS (~2 hours from Lee County)
- University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg, MS (~3.5 hours from Lee County)
- Delta State University – Cleveland, MS (~2.5 hours from Lee County)
- Jackson State University – Jackson, MS (~3 hours from Lee County)
- Alcorn State University – Lorman, MS (~3.5 hours from Lee County)
National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others have chapters at these schools – and they bring the same hazing culture we’re fighting in Texas.
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they could be at risk.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Lee County or Anywhere in Mississippi
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if your child seems “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney failure) don’t show symptoms right away. Go to the emergency room or urgent care and document everything. Tell the doctor your child was hazed – this creates a medical record that will be crucial for your case.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries, the hazing location, and any items used (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.)
- Save all communications – texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, Instagram DMs, emails
- Write down everything – dates, times, what was said, who was involved
- Get witness names and contact information – other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened
Do NOT delete anything. Even if it’s embarrassing, it could be critical evidence.
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- To the university – File a formal complaint with the school’s Greek life office or Title IX office
- To the police – Hazing is a crime in Mississippi. File a report with local law enforcement.
- To the national fraternity/sorority – If it’s a Greek organization, report it to their national headquarters
Important: If the university or fraternity tries to pressure you into not reporting, that’s a red flag. They may be trying to cover it up.
Step 4: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or Their Lawyers Without Representation
Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers whose job is to minimize their liability. They will try to get your child to sign documents or make statements that could hurt their case. Do not speak to them without an attorney present.
Step 5: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
The sooner you involve an attorney, the better. We can:
- Preserve evidence before it disappears
- Handle communications with the university and fraternity
- Protect your child from retaliation
- Build a strong case for maximum compensation
Mississippi has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Lee County?
Hazing cases aren’t just about the individual students who participated. We sue everyone responsible – including institutions with deep pockets.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students; may own the fraternity house |
| Individual members | Participated in or allowed hazing to happen |
| Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Alumni who hosted hazing | Premises liability for events at their homes |
| Insurance companies | Policies may cover damages |
In our current case against Pi Kappa Phi, we’re suing:
- The local chapter
- The national organization
- The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
- Individual members and officers
- A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing at their home)
The same strategy applies to Lee County hazing cases.
What Compensation Can Lee County Families Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)
- Medical bills – emergency room, hospital stays, specialists, therapy, future treatment
- Lost wages – if your child had to miss work or internships
- Educational disruption – tuition refunds, lost scholarships, delayed graduation
- Future medical costs – if injuries require long-term care (e.g., kidney damage)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain – from injuries, medical treatments, recovery
- Emotional distress – PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation
- Humiliation and shame – from degrading hazing activities
- Loss of enjoyment of life – missing out on college experiences
- Permanent disfigurement – scars, burns, or lasting physical effects
Punitive Damages (To Punish the Wrongdoers)
If the hazing was especially egregious (like waterboarding, forced consumption to the point of injury, or physical torture), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.
In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million – and that’s in line with recent hazing verdicts and settlements across the country.
Recent Hazing Cases That Prove Lee County Families Can Win
1. $10.1 Million Settlement (Bowling Green State University, Ohio – 2021)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
- Victim: Stone Foltz (died from forced alcohol consumption)
- Outcome: University and fraternity paid $10.1 million
2. $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Louisiana State University – 2017)
- Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
- Victim: Maxwell Gruver (died from forced drinking)
- Outcome: $6.1 million verdict; hazing now a felony in Louisiana
3. $110+ Million Settlement (Penn State University – 2017)
- Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
- Victim: Timothy Piazza (died after falling down stairs during hazing)
- Outcome: Confidential settlement estimated at $110 million+
4. $10 Million Lawsuit (University of Houston – 2025)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (hospitalized with kidney failure after waterboarding and forced exercise)
- Outcome: Pending – Attorney 911 is fighting this case right now
These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can win big. The same results are possible for Lee County families.
Why Lee County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting a Hazing Case Right Now – And Winning
We’re 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.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña) worked for insurance companies before representing victims. We know exactly how they try to minimize claims – and how to beat them.
3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Lee County and All of Mississippi
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Lee County and across Mississippi. We can:
- Travel to Lee County for depositions, trials, and meetings
- Offer video consultations for Lee County families
- Pursue cases in federal court (we’re admitted to U.S. District Court)
4. Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront for Lee County Families
We understand that legal fees can be a barrier. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to you.
5. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
We treat our clients like family. We understand the trauma hazing causes, and we fight hard to get justice. We don’t just see your child as a case – we see them as a person.
Common Excuses Defendants Use – And How We Beat Them
Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to avoid responsibility. Here’s how we counter their arguments:
| Their Excuse | Our Response |
|---|---|
| “It was just tradition” | Tradition doesn’t justify abuse. Waterboarding is torture, not tradition. |
| “He consented to participate” | Mississippi law says consent is NOT a defense. Hazing is illegal regardless. |
| “We didn’t know it was happening” | If they didn’t know, they should have. Universities and nationals have a duty to supervise. |
| “It was just a few bad apples” | If it was just a few, why did the whole chapter participate? This is a cultural problem. |
| “He wasn’t even a student yet” | Their duty to protect students starts when they recruit them – not when they enroll. |
What Lee County Families Should Do Next
If your child has been hazed in Lee County or anywhere in Mississippi, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and the statute of limitations is ticking.
Call Attorney 911 Today for a Free Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
We’ll:
✅ Evaluate your case for free
✅ Explain your legal rights
✅ Preserve evidence before it’s lost
✅ Handle all communications with the university and fraternity
✅ Fight for the maximum compensation you deserve
Don’t wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
A Message to Fraternities and Universities in Mississippi
To the fraternities operating near Lee County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Mississippi, we will find every liable entity and hold you accountable.
To the universities in Mississippi:
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. If you own or control Greek housing, you have a duty to protect students. If you fail, you will face the same accountability.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH was shut down after our lawsuit. Your chapter could be next.
Lee County Deserves Better
Lee County is a community built on family values, hard work, and trust. When universities and fraternities betray that trust by allowing hazing, they must be held accountable.
If your child has been hazed, you are not alone. We’re fighting this battle right now, and we’re ready to fight for Lee County families too.
Call us today. Let’s get justice for your child.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Lee County, Mississippi and Nationwide
