Hazing Lawyers for Lewis County, TN: Protecting Students & Holding Fraternities Accountable
🚨 Hazing Injuries in Lewis County: What Families Need to Know
If your child has been hospitalized, traumatized, or harmed due to fraternity or sorority hazing in Lewis County, Tennessee, you’re not alone. Hazing is a dangerous and illegal practice that continues to plague colleges and universities across the country—including those near Lewis County, TN.
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 hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical abuse, waterboarding, and forced consumption. This same fraternity—and others like it—operate chapters near Lewis County, putting local students at risk.
Lewis County families deserve justice. If your child has been hazed, we can help.
📍 Hazing Risks in Lewis County, TN & Nearby Universities
While Lewis County itself is a small, tight-knit community, many local students attend colleges and universities in nearby cities where Greek life is active. Some of the institutions where hazing incidents have occurred—or could occur—include:
🏫 Universities Near Lewis County with Greek Life
-
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) – Murfreesboro, TN (~1.5 hours from Lewis County)
- Fraternities with national hazing histories: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta
- Sororities: Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta
-
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) – Chattanooga, TN (~2.5 hours from Lewis County)
- Fraternities: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi
- Sororities: Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Gamma, Zeta Tau Alpha
-
Tennessee Technological University (TTU) – Cookeville, TN (~2 hours from Lewis County)
- Fraternities: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon
- Sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta
-
Austin Peay State University (APSU) – Clarksville, TN (~2.5 hours from Lewis County)
- Fraternities: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Nu, Phi Beta Sigma
- Sororities: Zeta Phi Beta, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho
-
Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN (~2 hours from Lewis County)
- Fraternities with high-profile hazing cases: Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu, Phi Delta Theta
- Sororities: Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi, Delta Delta Delta
💡 Important: Even if your child attends a smaller college or community college near Lewis County, Greek organizations from larger universities may recruit students from nearby areas—meaning hazing risks still exist.
🔍 What Counts as Hazing in Tennessee?
Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 49-7-123) defines hazing as any activity that:
✅ Endangers mental or physical health (e.g., forced exercise, sleep deprivation, extreme physical punishment)
✅ Involves forced consumption (alcohol, food, or other substances)
✅ Involves humiliation or degradation (e.g., carrying sexual objects, being paddled, waterboarding)
✅ Violates reasonable standards of conduct (e.g., being forced to drive members while exhausted)
⚠️ Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Tennessee law explicitly states that consent does not excuse hazing.
🏥 Common Hazing Injuries in Lewis County Cases
Hazing can cause serious, life-altering injuries, including:
| Injury Type | Example from Real Cases | Medical Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Forced to do 500+ squats, 100+ pushups | Kidney failure, hospitalization, permanent damage |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced to drink entire bottle of liquor | Death, brain damage, coma |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Beaten with paddles, falls from exhaustion | Memory loss, cognitive impairment, permanent disability |
| Broken Bones & Internal Bleeding | Physical assault, extreme workouts | Surgery, long-term rehabilitation |
| Psychological Trauma | Waterboarding, humiliation, threats | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk |
| Heatstroke / Hypothermia | Forced outdoor activities in extreme weather | Organ failure, death |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts | Long-term emotional damage, legal consequences |
💡 Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do extreme exercises. This same abuse happens at universities near Lewis County.
💰 Can Lewis County Families Sue for Hazing?
Yes. If your child was hazed, you may be able to file a lawsuit against:
✅ The local fraternity/sorority chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi at MTSU)
✅ The national fraternity/sorority organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National)
✅ The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
✅ Individual members (those who directly participated in hazing)
✅ Alumni or house corporations (if hazing occurred at their property)
📌 Precedent Cases: Hazing Lawsuits Win Millions
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | LSU | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement |
| Our Current Case | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 million lawsuit pending |
Lewis County families can pursue similar compensation.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Lewis County
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries may not show symptoms right away.
- Document everything—hospital records are crucial evidence.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Text messages (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
- Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
- Witness contact information (other pledges, bystanders)
- Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
- Social media posts (screenshots before they’re deleted)
✅ Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to minimize the incident, intimidate witnesses, or destroy evidence.
- Do not sign anything without consulting a lawyer.
- Do not post about the incident on social media—insurance companies will use it against you.
✅ Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears fast—fraternities delete messages, universities cover up incidents.
- We offer free consultations and work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront.
🛡️ Why Lewis County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We’re Fighting a Hazing Case RIGHT NOW
- $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure
- Same fraternities operate near Lewis County—we know how to hold them accountable
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know their playbook—how they try to deny claims, blame victims, and minimize payouts
- We’ve beaten them before—now we use that knowledge to fight for Lewis County families
✅ Federal Court Authority & Nationwide Reach
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York)
- We travel to Lewis County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Video consultations available for Lewis County families
✅ Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
- We treat Lewis County families like family—not just another case
- Bilingual staff (Se habla español) for Spanish-speaking families
- 24/7 availability—hazing emergencies don’t wait
✅ No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency
- You pay nothing unless we win your case
- No hourly fees, no retainers
- We only get paid if you get paid
📞 Lewis County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity or sorority near Lewis County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, and Tennessee’s statute of limitations is short.
Call us 24/7 at:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We will fight for Lewis County families just like we’re fighting for our client in Houston.
🔥 Fraternities Near Lewis County: We’re Watching You
To the fraternities operating near Lewis County:
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Kappa Sigma
- Phi Delta Theta
- Sigma Chi
- Beta Theta Pi
- Pi Kappa Alpha
We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. We know your insurance policies. And we know how to sue you.
If you haze students near Lewis County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will shut you down.
The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? Closed. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. $10 million lawsuit pending.
Your chapter could be next.
📢 Lewis County Parents: Protect Your Children
Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities—it happens at small colleges, community colleges, and even high schools near Lewis County. If your child is joining a Greek organization, talk to them about the risks and know the warning signs:
⚠️ Warning Signs of Hazing
- Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities
- Unexplained injuries (bruises, sprains, exhaustion)
- Changes in behavior (anxiety, depression, withdrawal)
- Sleep deprivation (falling asleep in class, dark circles)
- Forced drinking (coming home drunk, blacking out)
- Carrying unusual objects (fanny packs, paddles, “pledge books”)
- Missing class or work due to fraternity obligations
- Fear of retaliation if they speak up
💬 What to Ask Your Child Before They Join Greek Life
❓ “Have you heard about any hazing incidents at this chapter?”
❓ “What kind of activities are pledges required to do?”
❓ “Is there a way to report hazing anonymously?”
❓ “What are the consequences if you refuse to participate?”
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your instincts.
🏛️ Universities Near Lewis County: You Have a Duty to Protect Students
To Middle Tennessee State University, UTC, Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, and Vanderbilt:
You own the fraternity houses. You control Greek life. You have the power to stop hazing.
If you don’t, you will be held liable—just like the University of Houston is being sued for owning the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was waterboarded.
The time to act is NOW.
📜 Tennessee Hazing Law: What You Need to Know
Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 – Hazing
- Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and $2,500 fine)
- If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be charged as a felony
- Consent is NOT a defense—even if the victim “agreed” to participate
- Universities must report hazing incidents to the Tennessee Board of Regents
Civil Lawsuits for Hazing in Tennessee
- Negligence – Fraternities, universities, and individuals can be sued for failing to prevent hazing
- Assault & Battery – Physical abuse (paddling, forced exercise, waterboarding) is illegal
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Extreme humiliation and psychological harm
- Wrongful Death – If hazing results in death, families can sue for compensation
💬 What Lewis County Families Are Saying
“We had no idea hazing was this bad until our son came home with bruises and couldn’t walk. Attorney 911 helped us hold the fraternity accountable—we got the justice our son deserved.” – Parent of a hazing victim
“I was too scared to speak up, but my lawyer protected me and made sure the fraternity couldn’t intimidate me. Now they’re paying for what they did.” – Hazing survivor
“The university tried to sweep it under the rug, but Attorney 911 fought for us. No family should go through this alone.” – Parent of a student hospitalized from hazing
🚀 Next Steps for Lewis County Families
- Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
- We’ll review your case and explain your legal options.
- We’ll handle everything—communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
- We’ll fight for maximum compensation—medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
- We won’t stop until justice is served—whether through settlement or trial.
Lewis County families: You don’t have to fight this alone.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Lewis County, TN, and all of Tennessee. Distance is not a barrier to justice.