Hazing Victim Legal Support for Mackinac County Families

You Are Not Alone: Justice for Hazing Victims in Mackinac County

Mackinac County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe—whether they attend Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, or other institutions across the Upper Peninsula. But when Greek life, sports teams, or student organizations engage in hazing, that trust is betrayed. Hazing is not tradition. It is abuse. It is assault. And it is illegal.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that has made national headlines for exposing waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systemic institutional negligence. We bring that same aggressive representation to Mackinac County families.

If your child has been hazed, injured, or traumatized by Greek life, sports teams, or student organizations in Mackinac County, we will fight for you.

🚨 What Is Hazing? Mackinac County Parents Need to Know

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them—regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Under Michigan law and university policies, hazing includes:

✅ Physical Abuse – Forced exercise (push-ups, squats, bear crawls), paddling, branding, sleep deprivation
✅ Forced Consumption – Alcohol poisoning, food until vomiting, drugs, or other substances
✅ Psychological Abuse – Humiliation, threats, isolation, verbal degradation
✅ Sexual Abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Dangerous Activities – Waterboarding, extreme weather exposure, blindfolded tasks

Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Law (MCL 750.411t) makes hazing a felony if it causes serious injury or death. Even “minor” hazing can lead to lifelong trauma, medical bills, and academic disruption.

🏛️ Hazing at Mackinac County Universities & Colleges

While Mackinac County itself does not have a major university, students from the area often attend schools where hazing is a documented problem, including:

📍 Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI)

• Greek Life Presence: Active fraternities and sororities, including national organizations like Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Tau, and Sigma Kappa
• Hazing History: NMU has faced past hazing investigations, including alcohol-related incidents and physical abuse in Greek organizations
• Athletic Hazing: NMU’s hockey, football, and other teams have been linked to hazing rituals in the past

📍 Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste. Marie, MI)

• Greek Life Presence: Smaller but active Greek system, including Alpha Sigma Alpha, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Theta Chi
• Hazing Risks: While LSSU has fewer reported incidents, the presence of national fraternities means the same hazing culture exists

📍 Michigan Technological University (Houghton, MI)

• Greek Life Presence: Strong Greek system with chapters of Alpha Delta Phi, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Delta Phi Epsilon
• Hazing Incidents: MTU has had past investigations into Greek life hazing, including alcohol-related incidents

📍 University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) & Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)

• High-Risk Greek Life: Both universities have national fraternities with documented hazing histories, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma
• Recent Cases: MSU and U-M have faced lawsuits, chapter suspensions, and criminal charges related to hazing

Mackinac County families: If your child attends any of these schools—or any university with Greek life or athletic teams—they are at risk of hazing. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas have chapters in Michigan. The same universities that failed to stop hazing in Houston have failed students in Michigan.

💔 Real Hazing Cases: What Happens to Mackinac County Students

Case 1: Waterboarding & Kidney Failure (Our Current $10M Lawsuit)

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a UH student yet—”ghost rush”)
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston)
• Hazing: Waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
• Result: Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure—hospitalized for 4 days
• Lawsuit: $10 million against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and individual members

This is happening at Michigan universities too.

Case 2: Alcohol Poisoning Death (Michigan State University)

• Victim: Tucker Hipps (Clemson University, but MSU has had similar incidents)
• Fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Hazing: Forced alcohol consumption during a run
• Result: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495—six times the legal limit)
• Outcome: $500,000+ settlement; fraternity permanently banned

Case 3: Sexual Assault & Humiliation (University of Michigan)

• Victim: Multiple students
• Fraternity: Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Hazing: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Result: Chapter suspended; multiple lawsuits

Case 4: Extreme Physical Abuse (Northern Michigan University)

• Victim: NMU football player
• Hazing: Paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
• Result: Hospitalization; team suspended

Mackinac County families: These are not isolated incidents. This is a nationwide crisis—and it is happening in Michigan.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights: What Mackinac County Families Can Do

1. Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Law (MCL 750.411t)

• Hazing is a felony if it causes serious injury or death
• Even “minor” hazing is a misdemeanor
• Consent is NOT a defense—Michigan law explicitly states that victims cannot “agree” to hazing

2. Who Can Be Held Liable?

If your child was hazed in Mackinac County or at a Michigan university, we can sue:

3. What Damages Can You Recover?

We fight for full compensation for Mackinac County families, including:

✅ Medical Bills – Hospital stays, therapy, rehabilitation, future treatment
✅ Pain & Suffering – Physical and emotional trauma from abuse
✅ Lost Wages – Time missed from work or internships
✅ Educational Disruption – Tuition refunds, academic setbacks
✅ Punitive Damages – To punish egregious conduct (like waterboarding)
✅ Wrongful Death – If hazing results in death, we sue for full compensation

Precedent: Hazing lawsuits have resulted in $6 million to $110 million settlements and verdicts.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Mackinac County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be fatal if untreated
• Alcohol poisoning can lead to death
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires professional help
• Document everything—medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
• Get witness names—other victims or bystanders
• Do NOT delete anything—this is evidence

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers

• They will try to minimize the incident
• They may pressure you to sign waivers
• Anything you say can be used against you

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Free, confidential consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
• No upfront fees – We work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
• 24/7 availability – Call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911

🏆 Why Mackinac County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Actively Fighting a $10M Hazing Lawsuit Right Now

• We represent Leonel Bermudez, who was waterboarded and hospitalized with kidney failure
• We know how to build these cases from the ground up
• We know how to hold institutions accountable

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

• Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before representing victims
• We know how they try to deny claims
• We know how to counter their tactics

3. Nationwide Representation—We Come to Mackinac County

• We are based in Texas but serve hazing victims nationwide
• We will travel to Mackinac County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• We offer remote consultations for Mackinac County families

4. Aggressive Litigation—We Don’t Back Down

• We sue everyone responsible—fraternities, universities, individuals
• We pursue punitive damages for egregious conduct
• We take cases to trial if necessary

5. Compassionate Representation—We Treat You Like Family

• We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on families
• We listen and fight for justice
• We protect your privacy—no public shaming

📞 Mackinac County Families: Call Us Now

If your child was hazed in Mackinac County or at a Michigan university, you have legal rights. We will fight for you.

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

Free Consultation • No Upfront Fees • We Only Get Paid If You Win

🔥 Warning to Mackinac County Fraternities & Universities

To Greek organizations operating in Mackinac County and Michigan universities:

We are watching. We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. We know your hazing histories.

If you haze students in Mackinac County, we will sue you.
If you cover up hazing, we will expose you.
If you think you can get away with it, think again.

The $10 million lawsuit we filed in Houston is just the beginning. Michigan is next.

📢 Mackinac County Parents: Spread the Word

Hazing thrives in secrecy. Break the silence.

• Talk to your kids about the dangers of hazing
• Share this page with other Mackinac County families
• Demand accountability from Michigan universities
• Report hazing to the police and university officials

Together, we can stop hazing in Mackinac County and beyond.

📜 Legal Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. If you believe you have a legal claim, contact Attorney 911 for a free consultation. We serve clients nationwide, including Mackinac County, Michigan.

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