Hazing Victim Legal Support in Leelanau County, Michigan

You Are Not Alone: Justice for Hazing Victims in Northern Michigan

If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Leelanau County, Michigan—whether at a local college, high school, sports team, fraternity, sorority, or other student organization—you have legal rights. Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “harmless fun.” It is abuse, assault, and often a crime. And those responsible—from individual perpetrators to national organizations—can and should be held accountable.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for torturing a student until he was hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we are ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Leelanau County families.

🚨 Hazing in Leelanau County: The Same Crisis Happening Here

The Problem: Hazing in Northern Michigan

Hazing is not just a problem in Texas or Florida. It happens right here in Michigan, including in Leelanau County and surrounding areas like Traverse City, Interlochen, and Northern Michigan University (NMU). The same national fraternities and sororities that have killed and hospitalized students across the country operate chapters near Leelanau County. The same dangerous “traditions” that sent our client to the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure exist in Michigan Greek life.

Universities and Colleges Near Leelanau County with Greek Life:

• Northern Michigan University (NMU) – Marquette, MI (~200 miles northeast)
  • Active fraternities and sororities, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others
• Ferris State University – Big Rapids, MI (~150 miles south)
• Central Michigan University (CMU) – Mount Pleasant, MI (~175 miles southeast)
• Michigan Technological University – Houghton, MI (~250 miles north)
• Grand Valley State University (GVSU) – Allendale, MI (~200 miles south)

If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools—or any school in Michigan with Greek life—they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

What Hazing Looks Like in Leelanau County

Hazing in Michigan takes many forms, including:

• Physical abuse: Forced exercise until collapse, beatings with paddles, branding, waterboarding
• Forced consumption: Alcohol poisoning, forced eating until vomiting, “drink or die” rituals
• Psychological torture: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
• Sexual abuse: Nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Extreme physical punishment: 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills)
• Dangerous stunts: Blindfolded activities, confinement, exposure to extreme weather

These are not “pranks.” These are crimes.

💔 The Devastating Consequences of Hazing

Hazing can cause:

• Physical injuries: Broken bones, burns, alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, traumatic brain injury
• Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts
• Academic disruption: Dropped classes, failed semesters, lost scholarships
• Career impact: Delayed graduation, damaged reputation
• Death: Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year in the U.S.

Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats. This could happen to your child in Michigan.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Leelanau County Hazing Victim

1. Michigan Hazing Laws: Criminal & Civil Liability

Michigan has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all educational institutions, including colleges, high schools, and student organizations.

Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.411t – Hazing (Criminal Law)

• Hazing is a crime in Michigan.
• Consent is NOT a defense – Even if the victim “agreed” to participate, it is still illegal.
• Penalties:
  • Misdemeanor: Up to 93 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine
  • Felony: If hazing causes serious injury or death, up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine

Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages

Even if no criminal charges are filed, you can sue for financial compensation in civil court. This includes:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)

Who Can Be Sued?

• Individual perpetrators (fraternity/sorority members, team captains, etc.)
• Local chapters (the specific fraternity/sorority involved)
• National organizations (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
• Universities/colleges (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
• Coaches/advisors (if they allowed or ignored hazing)

2. Federal Civil Rights Claims: Title IX & Institutional Liability

If hazing involves sexual abuse, gender discrimination, or institutional cover-ups, you may have a Title IX claim against the school. This can provide additional compensation and force the institution to implement real change.

3. Wrongful Death Claims (If the Worst Happens)

If hazing results in death, the victim’s family can sue for:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of companionship
• Punitive damages

We have seen multi-million-dollar settlements in wrongful death hazing cases nationwide.

🏆 Proven Results: We Know How to Win Hazing Cases

Our Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston.

Key Facts:
✅ Waterboarding (simulated drowning) – A form of torture
✅ Forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed – Caused rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
✅ Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault
✅ Forced to eat until vomiting – Then made to continue exercising
✅ Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure – Life-threatening condition
✅ University of Houston owned the fraternity house – Premises liability
✅ Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 – They knew the risks

This is the same fight we will bring to Leelanau County.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

These cases prove that hazing victims CAN and DO win big settlements and verdicts.

📋 What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Leelanau County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening—our client was hospitalized for 4 days.
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is real—document it with a therapist.

Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence

✅ Photos/Videos: Injuries, hazing locations, any physical evidence
✅ Texts/Group Chats: Screenshots of all communications about hazing
✅ Social Media: Save posts, DMs, or stories related to hazing
✅ Witness Information: Names and contact info of other victims or bystanders
✅ Medical Records: Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
✅ Academic Records: Show impact on grades, scholarships, or enrollment

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to the fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Michigan)
• Report to the university (if it happened on campus)
• File a Title IX complaint (if sexual abuse was involved)

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7) for a free, confidential consultation

Why Hire Us?
✅ We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case – We know how to win
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how defendants will fight back
✅ Federal court authority – We can sue national organizations anywhere in the U.S.
✅ Dual-state licensed – Texas and New York bars
✅ Se habla español – Bilingual support for Spanish-speaking families
✅ No upfront costs – We work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)

🔥 Why Leelanau County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Fight for Maximum Compensation

We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers. We demand full compensation for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants)

2. We Hold EVERYONE Accountable

We sue:
✔ Individual perpetrators (fraternity/sorority members, team captains)
✔ Local chapters (the specific organization involved)
✔ National organizations (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
✔ Universities/colleges (if they knew or should have known)
✔ Coaches/advisors (if they allowed or ignored hazing)

3. We Travel to Leelanau County

• We offer video consultations – Meet with us remotely
• We come to you – For depositions, meetings, and court appearances
• Distance is not a barrier – We represent hazing victims nationwide

4. We Protect Your Privacy

• Hazing victims often fear retaliation – Our client in Houston was too afraid to speak publicly
• We handle all communications – No more dealing with fraternities, universities, or insurance companies
• Your case is confidential – We protect your identity and privacy

5. We Don’t Back Down

• Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers – You need a team that fights back
• Insurance companies will lowball you – We negotiate aggressively
• If they won’t settle fairly, we go to trial – And we win

📢 What Leelanau County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

1. “It Won’t Happen Here” – Yes, It Will

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and other national fraternities have chapters near Leelanau County.
• Hazing happens at small schools, big schools, and even high schools.
• If your child is in a Greek organization, sports team, or club, they are at risk.

2. “They Wouldn’t Do That” – They Already Have

• In 2017, a Pi Kappa Phi pledge died from alcohol poisoning at Florida State.
• In 2021, a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge died at Bowling Green State.
• In 2025, our client was hospitalized with kidney failure at University of Houston.
• The same fraternities operate in Michigan.

3. “My Child Would Never Participate” – They Might Not Have a Choice

• Hazing often involves coercion, threats, and peer pressure.
• “If you don’t do this, you’re out.”
• “Everyone goes through it.”
• “It’s tradition.”
• Victims often don’t realize how dangerous it is until it’s too late.

4. “The University Will Handle It” – They Won’t

• Universities have a financial interest in protecting their reputation.
• They will downplay hazing incidents to avoid bad publicity.
• They will pressure victims to stay quiet.
• You need a lawyer to fight for your child’s rights.

🚫 Common Defenses Used in Hazing Cases (And Why They Fail)

Defense 1: “He Consented to Participate”

❌ Michigan Law Says: Consent is NOT a defense.

• Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.411t explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing.
• Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is still illegal.

Defense 2: “It Was Just a Prank”

❌ The Law Says: Hazing is a crime.

• Waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and beatings are not “pranks.”
• These are forms of assault and torture.

Defense 3: “The University Didn’t Know”

❌ The Law Says: They should have known.

• Universities have a duty to supervise Greek life and student organizations.
• If they own the fraternity house (like UH did), they are responsible for what happens there.
• Prior hazing incidents put them on notice.

Defense 4: “It Wasn’t That Bad”

❌ Medical Evidence Proves Otherwise.

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be fatal.
• Alcohol poisoning can kill.
• Psychological trauma lasts for years.

💡 How to Spot Hazing in Leelanau County

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

✅ Sudden secrecy – “I can’t tell you what we do.”
✅ Unexplained injuries – Bruises, cuts, or burns
✅ Extreme fatigue – Sleeping all day, missing classes
✅ Changes in behavior – Anxiety, depression, withdrawal
✅ Strange rituals – Late-night meetings, odd dress codes
✅ Forced activities – “If you don’t do this, you’re out.”
✅ Alcohol or drug use – “Everyone has to drink.”
✅ Humiliation – Being called names, forced to wear embarrassing clothes

If you notice these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

🎯 Our Promise to Leelanau County Families

1. We Will Fight for Maximum Compensation

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants)

2. We Will Hold EVERYONE Accountable

• Individual perpetrators (fraternity/sorority members, team captains)
• Local chapters (the specific organization involved)
• National organizations (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.)
• Universities/colleges (if they knew or should have known)
• Coaches/advisors (if they allowed or ignored hazing)

3. We Will Protect Your Child’s Future

• Academic records – Ensure hazing doesn’t ruin their education
• Mental health support – Connect you with therapists and resources
• Privacy protection – No retaliation, no public exposure

4. We Will Travel to Leelanau County

• Video consultations – Meet with us remotely
• In-person meetings – We come to you
• Court appearances – We handle everything

5. You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

• No upfront costs
• No hourly fees
• We only get paid if you win

📞 Call Attorney 911 Today – 1-888-ATTY-911

Leelanau County Hazing Victims: You Have Rights. We Will Fight for You.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation. No obligation. No upfront costs.

🔥 Final Message to Leelanau County Parents

Your child trusted these people.

They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that these institutions would keep them safe.

That trust was betrayed.

Your child was tortured, abused, or traumatized—not because they did anything wrong, but because someone thought “tradition” was more important than their safety.

We understand the pain you’re feeling. We understand the rage.

But you are not powerless. The law is on your side. We are on your side.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s hold them accountable.

📌 Leelanau County Hazing Lawyer – Attorney 911

Serving Traverse City, Interlochen, Northern Michigan, and all of Michigan
Hazing Victims Deserve Justice. We Fight for It.