🚨 Hazing Victims in Madera County: You Are Not Alone

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Madera County, Attorney 911 can help you fight back — no matter where you are in California or across the nation.

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This same fraternity has chapters at universities across California, including near Madera County. The same negligence that hospitalized our client exists at institutions in your community.

Madera County families: This could happen to your child. It may have already.

🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Madera County and Beyond

Hazing is not harmless “tradition.” It is abuse, torture, and sometimes murder disguised as initiation. In our current case, a young man was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning — a form of torture)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until his muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to continue exercising
• Hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This happened in Houston. But the same fraternities operate at universities near Madera County. The same culture of abuse exists in your community.

📍 Hazing Happens Near Madera County

Madera County is home to a strong educational community, and many local students attend colleges and universities throughout California where Greek life thrives. Some of the institutions near Madera County with active Greek organizations include:

• California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) — Just 30 minutes from Madera County, Fresno State is home to multiple fraternities and sororities, including chapters of national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others. The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide have active chapters at Fresno State.

• University of California, Merced — Located about 45 minutes from Madera County, UC Merced has a growing Greek community. While smaller than older campuses, the presence of Greek organizations means hazing risks exist for Madera County students.

• Fresno Pacific University — A private Christian university in Fresno with active Greek life. Hazing can occur even in faith-based environments with strong community values.

• Community Colleges in the Central Valley — Many Madera County students begin their education at local community colleges before transferring to four-year universities. Even at community colleges with smaller Greek organizations, hazing risks exist.

The same national fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate at universities near Madera County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in the Central Valley, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

💔 What Madera County Families Need to Know

1. Hazing Is Illegal in California

California has strong anti-hazing laws. Under California Education Code § 32050, hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. If hazing results in death or serious bodily injury, it can be charged as a felony.

California law also explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.

2. Universities Are Responsible for Protecting Students

Colleges and universities near Madera County have a duty to protect students from hazing. When they fail to monitor Greek organizations, inspect fraternity houses, or respond to reports of hazing, they can be held legally and financially responsible.

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 and did nothing to prevent it from happening again.

The same institutional failures exist at universities near Madera County.

3. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets

National fraternity organizations have millions of dollars in assets and insurance policies covering hazing incidents. They have paid multi-million dollar settlements in cases like:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million jury verdict — Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

These settlements prove that hazing cases win big when victims come forward.

4. You Have Legal Rights — Even If You’re Not in Texas

While our firm is based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Madera County and across California. We can evaluate your case regardless of where the hazing occurred through:

• Federal court authority — We are admitted to U.S. District Court
• Video consultations — Meet with us remotely from Madera County
• Travel commitment — We will come to Madera County for depositions and meetings
• California co-counsel — We work with local attorneys when needed

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Madera County Students

Hazing is often hidden, but there are warning signs Madera County parents should watch for:

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
• Difficulty walking or moving normally
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Sleep deprivation (dark circles, falling asleep in class)

Behavioral Signs:

• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Fear of certain people or places
• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
• Loss of interest in school or activities they once enjoyed
• Talking about “pledging” or “initiation” in hushed tones

Academic Signs:

• Sudden drop in grades
• Skipping classes
• Missing assignments
• Withdrawing from courses

Social Media Signs:

• Deleted social media posts
• New, secretive group chats (GroupMe, Snapchat, etc.)
• Photos or videos that seem staged or concerning
• Sudden change in online behavior

If you notice these signs in your Madera County student, ask questions. Trust your instincts. Hazing is happening at universities near Madera County, and your child could be at risk.

🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Madera County

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

If your child shows signs of injury or illness, take them to the emergency room or urgent care right away. Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening. Medical records are critical evidence.

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries
• Save all communications — texts, social media messages, emails, GroupMe chats
• Document everything — write down dates, times, locations, and what happened
• Get witness names — other pledges, bystanders, friends
• Do not delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating

3. Do Not Confront the Organization Alone

• Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Do not sign anything from the organization
• Do not give statements to university administrators alone
• Anything you say can be used against you

4. Report the Hazing

• File a police report with your local law enforcement
• Report to the university — but do this with your attorney present
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization

5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

Hazing cases are complex. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. You need your own legal team to level the playing field.

Call Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We offer video consultations for Madera County families. You don’t have to travel to Texas to get expert legal help.

💰 What Madera County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy)
• Future medical expenses (ongoing treatment, potential dialysis or transplant)
• Lost wages (time missed from work due to injuries)
• Lost earning capacity (if injuries affect future career)
• Educational expenses (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering (the agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
• Mental anguish (trauma from waterboarding, paddling, humiliation)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Disfigurement (scars from burns, branding, or injuries)

Punitive Damages:

In cases of egregious misconduct, juries can award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing. Punitive damages are appropriate when:

• The conduct was intentional or reckless
• The organization knew about the risks and did nothing
• The hazing involved torture or extreme physical abuse

Precedent cases show that hazing verdicts and settlements can reach millions of dollars. Madera County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re providing in our current $10 million case.

⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Madera County Hazing?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

1. The Local Chapter

The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing.

2. National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

The national organization that failed to supervise the chapter despite knowing about hazing risks.

3. University or College

The institution that failed to protect students, especially if:

• They owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
• They had prior knowledge of hazing at the chapter
• They failed to respond to reports of hazing

4. Individual Members

Every person who participated in or facilitated the hazing can be held personally liable. This includes:

• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.)
• Active members who participated
• Former members who hosted hazing events
• Alumni who turned a blind eye

5. Insurance Companies

Most fraternities, sororities, and universities have liability insurance policies that cover hazing incidents. These policies often have million-dollar limits.

⏳ Time Is Running Out — Act Now

California law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a hazing incident:

• Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

Evidence disappears quickly:

• Text messages and social media posts get deleted
• Witnesses forget details
• Organizations destroy records
• Universities cover up incidents

The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

🎯 Why Madera County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now, and we’re bringing the same aggression to Madera County cases.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know how they think, how they strategize, and how they try to minimize claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach — Madera County Included

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Madera County and across California. We offer:

• Video consultations — Meet with us remotely
• Federal court authority — Pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Travel commitment — We come to Madera County for depositions and meetings
• California co-counsel — We work with local attorneys when needed

4. No Upfront Costs — We Work on Contingency

We understand that Madera County families may be concerned about the cost of legal representation. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

5. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

Our attorneys have:

• Won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts
• Litigated complex personal injury and wrongful death cases
• Handled BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Secured federal court judgments
• Successfully fought insurance companies and large institutions

6. We Understand the Culture

Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach. He understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures young people face. We know what’s really happening in these organizations.

7. We Protect Our Clients

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We take that fear seriously. We protect our clients’ privacy and safety while aggressively pursuing justice.

📞 Madera County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Madera County, you have legal rights. We can help.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Free, confidential consultation — no obligation.

We serve Madera County and all of California. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

🔥 The Message to Madera County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Madera County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If your chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Madera County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. We have proven these cases can be won.

To the universities near Madera County:

The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Madera County institutions:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

🏆 Our Promise to Madera County Families

We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We will fight hard for Madera County families because we truly care.

If your child was hazed, we will:

• Listen to your story with compassion
• Investigate thoroughly to uncover the truth
• Pursue every liable party — individuals, chapters, nationals, universities
• Fight for maximum compensation
• Protect your family from intimidation
• Demand accountability to prevent future hazing

Madera County families: You are not alone. We are here to help.

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

❤️ In Memory of Those Lost to Hazing

This fight is for every student who was hazed, injured, or killed in the name of “tradition.” We honor their memory by demanding justice.

To Madera County families who have lost children to hazing: We are so sorry for your loss. We will fight to ensure no other family suffers as you have.

To Madera County students who survived hazing: Your courage in coming forward can save lives. We stand with you.

To Madera County parents: Your child trusted these organizations. That trust was betrayed. We will help you hold them accountable.

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Madera County and Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Justice for Madera County hazing victims. Accountability for those who failed to protect them.