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Lumpkin County (Earth/North America/United States/Georgia/Lumpkin County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Settlements Exposed | Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down by Our $10M Lawsuit | Attorney911 — Federal Court Admitted | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 21, 2026 17 min read
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🚨 Hazing Victims in Lumpkin County Deserve Justice — Attorney 911 Fights for Your Family

Lumpkin County parents, students, and families: If your child has been hazed at a university, fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Lumpkin County, you are not alone. The same national fraternities involved in the $10 million hazing lawsuit we’re currently fighting in Houston operate right here in Georgia. The same negligence, the same abuse, the same betrayal of trust — it happens at Lumpkin County institutions too.

At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the hospitalization of a student subjected to waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse. This isn’t a theoretical case — we’re in the fight right now. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Lumpkin County families.

If your child has been hazed in Lumpkin County or at any college or university in Georgia, call us immediately. We serve hazing victims nationwide — including right here in Lumpkin County.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com

🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Lumpkin County

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, joined Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston expecting brotherhood. Instead, he endured weeks of torture:

  • Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
  • Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
  • Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then forced to continue exercising
  • Hog-tied on a table — another pledge subjected to this for over an hour
  • Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — they kept going

He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, fighting for his life for three nights and four days.

This same fraternity — Pi Kappa Phi — has chapters at universities across Georgia, including near Lumpkin County. The same national organization that failed to prevent this in Houston operates right here in our state. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Lumpkin County, they face the same risks.

⚠️ The Hazing Crisis in Lumpkin County and Beyond

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “building character.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And it’s happening at universities near Lumpkin County.

The Statistics Don’t Lie:

  • 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
  • 40% of student athletes report hazing
  • Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
  • 95% of hazing victims do not report it — often due to fear of retaliation or social exclusion

Universities and national organizations know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. They choose not to — until someone gets hurt or killed.

In our Houston case, Pi Kappa Phi had already seen a student die from hazing in 2017. The University of Houston had already seen a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017. They had 8 years to fix it. They did nothing. Now another student is in the hospital.

Lumpkin County families: If your child is being hazed, you have legal rights. And you have Attorney 911.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Lumpkin County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible. In our Houston case, we are suing:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
The Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted the hazing
National Fraternity/Sorority Failed to supervise; knew about “hazing crisis” and did nothing
University/College Failed to protect students; often owns the property where hazing occurs
Individual Members Participated in or facilitated the hazing
Former Members/Alumni Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability
Housing Corporations Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred

Lumpkin County families: The same liability applies here in Georgia. If your child was hazed at a Lumpkin County institution or a university near Lumpkin County, we will identify every responsible party and hold them accountable.

💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents — This Is What Hazing Costs

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These aren’t just numbers — they’re proof that juries and courts take hazing seriously. And they’re proof that Lumpkin County families can win.

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:

Case Fraternity University Outcome
Stone Foltz (2021) Pi Kappa Alpha Bowling Green State $10.1 million total
Maxwell Gruver (2017) Phi Delta Theta Louisiana State $6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza (2017) Beta Theta Pi Penn State $110+ million settlement
Andrew Coffey (2017) Pi Kappa Phi Florida State Confidential settlement
Our Case (2025) Pi Kappa Phi University of Houston $10 million lawsuit pending

Lumpkin County families: These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can and do win. The same legal strategies apply to Lumpkin County cases. The same damages are available. And we have the experience to fight for you.

📜 Your Legal Rights as a Lumpkin County Hazing Victim

Georgia Hazing Laws

Georgia has strong anti-hazing laws. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61, hazing is a misdemeanor offense that can result in:

  • Up to 12 months in jail
  • Fines up to $1,000
  • Expulsion from school

Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

Civil Liability — What You Can Sue For

Beyond criminal charges, Lumpkin County families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

Damage Type What It Covers
Medical Bills Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
Lost Wages Time missed from work or internships
Pain and Suffering Physical pain from injuries
Mental Anguish PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional trauma
Loss of Enjoyment Inability to participate in normal activities
Punitive Damages Extra compensation to punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding)

Lumpkin County families: You have two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit in Georgia. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

🛡️ Why Lumpkin County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are Currently Fighting This Battle — And We Will Fight for Lumpkin County

Right now, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical for us — we’re in the courtroom, in the media, and in the fight every day. And we will bring that same aggression to Lumpkin County families.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We use their own tactics against them.

Nationwide Reach — We Serve Lumpkin County

While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide — including right here in Lumpkin County and across Georgia. We have:

  • Federal court authority — can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
  • Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York
  • Willingness to travel — we come to Lumpkin County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
  • Remote consultation technology — video meetings for Lumpkin County families

Distance is not a barrier. Justice is our mission.

Proven Results — Millions Recovered for Victims

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including:

  • BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience directly applicable to hazing cases
  • Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death, trucking, and workplace injury cases
  • Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence and insurance company tricks

Lumpkin County families: This is the same aggressive representation we bring to hazing cases.

We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish, including:

  • Initial consultations
  • Ongoing case communication
  • Document translation and explanation
  • Courtroom interpretation coordination

No language barriers. No cultural barriers. Just justice.

Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront for Lumpkin County Families

We understand that cost can be a concern. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Our fee: A percentage of your recovery — typically 33-40%.

If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Lumpkin County

If your child has been hazed at a university or college near Lumpkin County, follow these steps immediately:

1. Ensure Safety

  • Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.
  • Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away.

2. Preserve Evidence

  • Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.).
  • Save all communications — texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, Instagram DMs, emails.
  • Document everything — write down what happened, when, where, and who was involved.
  • Get witness information — names and contact info of anyone who saw the hazing.
  • Keep all physical evidence — clothing, objects used in hazing, etc.

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization

  • Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel.
  • Do not sign anything from the organization or university.
  • Do not post on social media about the incident — anything you post can be used against you.

4. Report the Incident

  • Consider filing a police report.
  • File a Title IX report with the university (if applicable).
  • Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization.

5. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
  • We offer free consultations for Lumpkin County hazing victims.
  • We will guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.

⚠️ Do not wait. Evidence disappears quickly, and the statute of limitations is ticking.

🎯 Our Message to Fraternities and Universities Near Lumpkin County

To the fraternities operating near Lumpkin County:

We are watching. We are tracking your chapters. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. And we know your history.

Pi Kappa Phi has paid millions in hazing settlements. Sigma Alpha Epsilon has paid millions. Kappa Sigma has paid millions. If your chapter harms students near Lumpkin County, you will pay too.

To the universities near Lumpkin County:

You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous organizations. When you fail to protect students, you share the liability.

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where our client was waterboarded. They are now a defendant in our $10 million lawsuit. Your institution could be next.

🏆 We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing — We’re Fighting It Right Now

This isn’t theoretical for us. We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Houston. We are in the courtroom. We are in the media. We are holding institutions accountable.

Lumpkin County families: When you hire Attorney 911, you’re not hiring a firm that’s never handled a hazing case. You’re hiring a firm that’s in the fight right now. We know the law. We know the defendants. We know how to win.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Lumpkin County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: Many hazing victims fear retaliation or social exclusion. We understand. But your child’s health and safety come first. We can help you report the incident confidentially and protect your child’s identity. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. Georgia law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. The fraternity is still liable.

Q: We’re in Lumpkin County. Can you really help us?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide — including right here in Lumpkin County. We offer video consultations, travel to Lumpkin County for meetings and depositions, and use technology to manage your case remotely. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?

A: Every case is different. Factors that affect case value include:

  • The severity of the injuries
  • The egregiousness of the conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced exercise to collapse)
  • Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
  • The impact on your child’s education and future
  • The defendants’ ability to pay

We have won multi-million dollar settlements in hazing cases. We will evaluate your Lumpkin County case and fight for maximum compensation.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

A: In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Q: What if my child was hazed at a private university near Lumpkin County?

A: Private universities are just as liable as public ones. In fact, some private universities have larger endowments and insurance policies, making them attractive targets for litigation. We pursue both public and private institutions.

Q: My child is an international student. Can you still help?

A: Yes. Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We have experience representing international students and will protect your child’s privacy and legal rights.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery (typically 33-40%). If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

📢 Call to Action — Lumpkin County Families, We’re Here for You

If your child has been hazed at a university, fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Lumpkin County, you have legal rights. And you have Attorney 911.

We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same aggression to Lumpkin County.

Lumpkin County families — call us now for a free consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

We serve Lumpkin County and all of Georgia. We come to you. We fight for you. We win for you.

🚨 Enough is Enough. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.

Lumpkin County families: Your child trusted these organizations. They trusted the university. They trusted the fraternity or sorority. That trust was betrayed.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for justice — for your child, for your family, and for every student who might be next if we don’t stop this now.

Call us today. The fight starts now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com

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