Hazing Victims in Lenawee County, Michigan: Your Rights, Your Recovery, Your Justice
A Message to Lenawee County Families: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization in or near Lenawee County, Michigan, you are not alone. This isn’t just a problem at big universities—it happens right here in our community. And no matter where it happened, you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities, universities, and national organizations can and should be held accountable when they allow abuse to happen. The same legal strategies we’re using in Texas apply to Lenawee County victims.
We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Lenawee County, Michigan. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🚨 What Is Hazing? It’s Not Tradition—It’s Abuse.
Hazing is any intentional act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. It is illegal in Michigan and across the country.
Common Hazing Activities in Lenawee County (and Beyond):
✅ Forced alcohol consumption – Binge drinking, chugging, “drinking games” leading to alcohol poisoning
✅ Extreme physical punishment – Paddling, beatings, forced exercise to exhaustion (like our client who did 500 squats and ended up in the hospital with kidney failure)
✅ Waterboarding & simulated drowning – Torture disguised as “tradition” (yes, this happened in our current case)
✅ Sleep deprivation – Forced late-night activities, early-morning tasks, driving members around
✅ Forced eating until vomiting – Consuming large amounts of food, milk, or peppercorns
✅ Psychological abuse & humiliation – Carrying sexual objects, being hog-tied, stripped, or degraded
✅ Sexual assault & harassment – Forced nudity, inappropriate touching, or worse
✅ Isolation & servitude – Being forced to clean, run errands, or act as personal servants
If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed. And if they were injured—physically or emotionally—you can fight back.
💔 The Medical Consequences of Hazing in Lenawee County
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It has real, life-altering consequences, including:
| Injury | What It Means for Your Child | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) | Extreme pain, inability to move, kidney failure (like our client) | Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplant, permanent disability |
| Alcohol poisoning | Vomiting, unconsciousness, death (like Stone Foltz, Max Gruver) | Liver damage, brain injury, lifelong addiction risk |
| Traumatic brain injury (TBI) | From beatings, falls, or lack of oxygen | Memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Forced exposure to extreme cold or heat | Organ damage, cardiac issues, death |
| Sexual assault | Physical and emotional trauma | PTSD, depression, trust issues, suicide risk |
| PTSD & anxiety | Flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks | Therapy for years, difficulty functioning in school/work |
| Death | Wrongful death from hazing | Families left with unimaginable grief and financial loss |
Hazing doesn’t just hurt your child—it can destroy their future. And the organizations that allowed it must be held accountable.
⚖️ Michigan Hazing Laws: What Lenawee County Victims Need to Know
Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Law (MCL 750.411t)
Michigan law defines hazing as:
“Any intentional or reckless act, whether physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, that subjects another person to anything that may endanger that person’s mental or physical health or safety as a condition of joining or maintaining membership in any organization.”
Key Points:
✔ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization liable.
✔ Criminal penalties – Hazing is a misdemeanor (up to 93 days in jail and $1,000 fine). If it causes serious injury or death, it becomes a felony (up to 5 years in prison).
✔ Civil liability – Victims can sue for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
Title IX & University Liability
If the hazing occurred at a public or private university near Lenawee County (such as Adrian College, Siena Heights University, or nearby institutions), the school may also be liable under Title IX for failing to protect students from gender-based violence or harassment.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in a Lenawee County Hazing Case?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our Current Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority) | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, enforce anti-hazing policies | Pi Kappa Phi National knew about “a hazing crisis” but did nothing |
| University/College | Owned the property, failed to prevent hazing | UH owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Chapter president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Advisors | Hosted hazing at their homes, enabled culture | Former member and spouse named in our lawsuit |
| Housing Corporation | Owned the property where hazing occurred | UH fraternity house owned by the university |
In our current $10 million case, we are suing:
✅ The fraternity chapter
✅ The national fraternity
✅ The university
✅ The individual members (including a former member and his spouse)
✅ The housing corporation
Lenawee County families can pursue the same defendants.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Lenawee County?
Hazing cases routinely result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what Lenawee County victims have recovered in similar cases:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Max Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
| Our Current Case | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending | TBD |
What Lenawee County Victims Can Recover:
✅ Medical expenses (past and future)
✅ Lost wages (if hazing affected employment)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)
✅ Wrongful death damages (if hazing resulted in death)
Our firm has recovered MILLIONS for personal injury victims—and we will fight just as hard for Lenawee County families.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lenawee County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can worsen over time.
- Medical records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
📱 Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Save everything. Screenshots are evidence.
📸 Photos/Videos – Document injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
📝 Witness Statements – Get names and contact info of other victims or witnesses.
📄 Documents – Pledge manuals, fraternity/sorority rules, emails, social media posts.
⚠️ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts.
- Talk to the fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers without an attorney.
- Sign anything from the organization.
- Post about the incident on social media.
Step 3: Report the Hazing (But Don’t Go Alone)
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Michigan).
- Report to the university (but have an attorney present—universities protect themselves, not victims).
- Consider Title IX complaint if sexual assault or gender-based violence was involved.
Step 4: Contact a Hazing Attorney Immediately
- Michigan’s statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury—but evidence disappears fast.
- Insurance companies and universities will try to lowball or silence you.
- We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🎯 Why Lenawee County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Actively Fighting Hazing RIGHT NOW
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know exactly how these organizations operate—and how to beat them.
- Lenawee County victims get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies.
- We know how they try to minimize claims—and we know how to counter their tactics.
- We’ve seen their strategies from the inside—and now we use them against them.
3. Nationwide Reach—We Serve Lenawee County, Michigan
- Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities in federal court.
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas AND New York.
- Video consultations – Meet with us remotely if you can’t travel.
- We travel to Lenawee County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4. We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing—We Fight It
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
5. $0 Upfront Costs—You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- No retainer. No hourly fees.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Lenawee County families pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
6. We Understand the Culture—Because We’ve Been There
- Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and coach—he understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that lead to hazing.
- We know how fraternities, sororities, and universities try to silence victims.
- We won’t let them intimidate or manipulate your family.
🏆 Our Track Record: Millions Recovered for Victims Like You
| Case Type | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BP Texas City Explosion | Mass tort litigation | Multi-billion dollar case involvement |
| 18-Wheeler Accident | Catastrophic injury | Millions recovered |
| Wrongful Death | Family compensation | Multi-million dollar settlements |
| DWI/DUI Defense | Hundreds of cases dismissed | Proven track record |
| Hazing Litigation | $10 million lawsuit pending | Fighting now for justice |
We’ve won millions for victims—and we’re ready to fight for Lenawee County families.
📍 Hazing in Lenawee County: Where It Happens
Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities—it happens right here in Lenawee County, including at:
Colleges & Universities Near Lenawee County:
🎓 Adrian College (Adrian, MI) – Private liberal arts college with active Greek life
🎓 Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI) – Private Catholic university with fraternities/sororities
🎓 Jackson College (Jackson, MI) – Community college with student organizations
🎓 University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) – Major university with Greek life (45 min from Lenawee County)
🎓 Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI) – Public university with Greek life (50 min from Lenawee County)
🎓 Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) – Major university with Greek life (1 hour from Lenawee County)
Greek Organizations Near Lenawee County:
Fraternities and sororities with chapters near Lenawee County include:
- Pi Kappa Phi (our current case—same fraternity operates nationwide)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
- Kappa Sigma
- Phi Delta Theta
- Delta Tau Delta
- Sigma Chi
- Alpha Sigma Phi
- Sigma Phi Epsilon
- And many more
If your child was hazed at any of these schools or organizations, we can help.
🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing in Lenawee County
Many parents don’t realize their child is being hazed until it’s too late. Watch for these red flags:
❌ Sudden secrecy – Your child won’t tell you what’s happening at meetings.
❌ Unexplained injuries – Bruises, cuts, or limping that they can’t (or won’t) explain.
❌ Extreme exhaustion – Falling asleep in class, missing classes, failing grades.
❌ Depression or anxiety – Withdrawal, mood swings, loss of interest in activities.
❌ Strange behavior – Wearing odd clothing, carrying unusual items, following bizarre rules.
❌ Talk of “traditions” – “It’s just how we do things,” “Everyone goes through it.”
❌ Fear of retaliation – “If I tell you, they’ll kick me out,” “I can’t talk about it.”
❌ Unexplained expenses – Paying for “pledge dues,” buying alcohol, or other fees.
If you notice these signs, your child may be a hazing victim. Act now.
📞 Lenawee County Families: Call Us Now
Hazing is abuse. It’s illegal. And it must stop.
If your child was hazed in Lenawee County, Michigan—or anywhere in the country—we can help.
✅ Free, confidential consultation – We’ll listen to your story and explain your rights.
✅ $0 upfront costs – You pay nothing unless we win.
✅ Nationwide representation – We serve Lenawee County and beyond.
✅ Aggressive legal fight – We won’t back down from fraternities, universities, or insurance companies.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We are Attorney 911. We fight for justice. And we’re ready to fight for Lenawee County.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Lenawee County Families
1. “My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. Should we still pursue legal action?”
Yes. Many victims fear retaliation or social consequences. We protect our clients’ identities and fight for justice discreetly. Even if your child doesn’t want to testify, we can still pursue the case using other evidence.
2. “The fraternity says my child ‘consented’ to hazing. Can they still be held liable?”
Absolutely. Michigan law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization is still responsible for any harm caused.
3. “We’re in Lenawee County, but the hazing happened at a university in another state. Can you still help us?”
Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Lenawee County. Distance is not a barrier. We offer video consultations and travel to you.
4. “The university says they had no idea hazing was happening. Can they still be sued?”
Yes. Universities have a legal duty to protect students. If they failed to monitor Greek life, ignored prior hazing incidents, or owned the property where hazing occurred, they can be held liable.
5. “How much does it cost to hire a hazing attorney?”
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you only pay if we win your case. Lenawee County families pay $0 unless we recover compensation for you.
6. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Michigan’s statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury. However, evidence disappears fast, so contact us immediately to preserve your rights.
7. “What if the fraternity or university tries to intimidate us?”
We protect our clients. If anyone tries to silence or intimidate you, we will fight back aggressively. We have experience dealing with powerful institutions and their legal teams.
8. “Can we sue for emotional trauma, or only physical injuries?”
Both. Hazing causes severe emotional harm—PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more. You can sue for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
9. “What if my child was hazed at a high school in Lenawee County?”
Hazing happens in high schools too, especially in sports teams, marching bands, and clubs. We can help high school students and their families pursue justice.
10. “How do we know if we have a strong case?”
The strongest hazing cases involve:
✔ Documented injuries (medical records, photos)
✔ Evidence of hazing (texts, videos, witness statements)
✔ Pattern of abuse (prior incidents at the same chapter/university)
✔ Institutional knowledge (university/fraternity knew about hazing and did nothing)
Call us for a free case evaluation—we’ll tell you honestly if you have a strong claim.
🔥 Final Message to Lenawee County: Enough Is Enough
Hazing has killed students. It has hospitalized students. It has destroyed lives.
It is not tradition. It is not bonding. It is abuse.
And it must stop.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting this battle—and we’re ready to fight for Lenawee County families.
If your child was hazed, we will:
✅ Hold the fraternity accountable
✅ Hold the university accountable
✅ Hold the national organization accountable
✅ Hold the individuals accountable
You are not alone. We are here to help.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
Justice for Lenawee County starts with a call.
