🚨 Hazing Victims in Madison County, Florida: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

If your child has been hazed at a Madison County college or university, you are not alone — and you have powerful legal rights.

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “boys being boys.” It’s abuse, assault, and often a crime. And when it happens, the institutions that allowed it — the fraternities, the national organizations, and the universities — must be held accountable.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same aggressive representation to Madison County families.

If your child has been hazed in Madison County — whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, band, or any other organization — you have legal options. And we can help.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Florida)

Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

In Florida, hazing is a crime. Under Florida Statute § 1006.63, hazing that creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death is a third-degree felony. Even if no one is seriously hurt, hazing can still be a first-degree misdemeanor.

Examples of Hazing That Are Illegal in Madison County, Florida:

✅ Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, drugs, or other substances until vomiting or passing out
✅ Sleep deprivation — forcing students to stay up all night, disrupting sleep patterns
✅ Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning — yes, this happens in Florida
✅ Exposure to extreme weather — standing outside in cold or heat for long periods
✅ Servitude — forced cleaning, driving members, running errands
✅ Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

Florida law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. If they were hazed, they were victimized.

⚠️ The Hazing Crisis in Florida — It’s Happening in Madison County Too

Florida has seen multiple hazing deaths and serious injuries in recent years:

• 2017: Andrew Coffey — Died at Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi) after forced drinking
• 2017: Maxwell Gruver — Died at LSU (Phi Delta Theta) from alcohol poisoning; led to Florida’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
• 2021: Stone Foltz — Died at Bowling Green (Pi Kappa Alpha); family won $10.1 million
• 2025: Leonel Bermudez — Hospitalized at University of Houston (Pi Kappa Phi) after waterboarding and extreme physical abuse — this is the case we’re fighting right now

The same fraternities operate in Madison County. The same “traditions” exist. The same negligence is happening at Madison County colleges and universities.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Madison County, they face the same risks.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Madison County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can — and should — be held accountable:

In our current $10 million case, we are suing:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The university
• Individual members and officers
• A former member and their spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

We will pursue every liable party in Madison County cases as well.

💰 What Compensation Can Madison County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to substantial compensation, including:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (emergency room, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Educational costs (tuition, fees, lost scholarships if they had to transfer or drop out)
• Future medical expenses (if injuries require long-term care)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering (the agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, burns, etc.)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
• Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (missing out on college experiences, social life, activities)

Punitive Damages:

• Punishment for outrageous conduct — when the hazing was intentional, reckless, or part of a pattern
• Deterrent for other organizations — to prevent future hazing

In Florida, there is NO CAP on non-economic or punitive damages in hazing cases. This means juries can award millions of dollars for egregious conduct.

📅 Florida’s Statute of Limitations — You Must Act Fast

Florida law gives you only 2 YEARS from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit.

If you wait too long:

• Evidence disappears
• Witnesses forget
• Your legal rights expire

Do not wait. Many hazing victims delay reporting due to:

• Shame and embarrassment
• Fear of retaliation
• Loyalty to the organization
• Not realizing it was hazing

We understand. But the clock is ticking. Contact us immediately for a free consultation.

🛡️ What Should Madison County Families Do Right Now?

If your child has been hazed, take these steps immediately to protect your legal rights:

1️⃣ Get Medical Attention

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence

2️⃣ Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
• Write down everything you remember (dates, times, locations, what was said)
• Get witness names and contact information

3️⃣ Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

• The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
• They may destroy evidence
• They may intimidate witnesses
• Let your attorney handle all communication

4️⃣ Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Anything you post can be used against you
• Even innocent posts (“I’m fine!”) can hurt your case
• Stay off social media until your case is resolved

5️⃣ Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Free consultations available
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
• We handle all communication with the organization and insurance companies

Call us 24/7 at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Madison County Families

Q: My child consented to participate. Does that mean we can’t sue?

A: NO. Florida 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. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.

Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault is assault. Torture is torture. No amount of “tradition” makes it legal.

Q: We’re worried about retaliation. How do we protect our child?

We take retaliation concerns very seriously. We can:

• File protective orders if needed
• Handle all communication through legal channels
• Keep your child’s identity confidential when possible
• Pursue additional damages if retaliation occurs

Q: The university says they didn’t know it was happening. Are they still liable?

YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing (especially if there were prior incidents), they can be held liable. In our current case, the university owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred — they absolutely knew or should have known.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on campus, at a fraternity house, or at a private residence. We will identify all liable parties, regardless of location.

Q: How much is my case worth?

Every case is unique. Factors that increase value include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, wrongful death)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, extreme physical abuse)
• Pattern of prior hazing incidents at the same organization
• Institutional knowledge and failure to act
• Attempts to cover up the hazing

We have won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in hazing cases. We will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your family.

Q: We can’t afford a lawyer. How much does this cost?

You pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• We don’t get paid unless you win
• Our fee is a percentage of your recovery
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

This levels the playing field. You can fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

🏆 Why Madison County Families Choose Attorney 911

1️⃣ We Are 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. And we’re bringing that same fire to Madison County.

2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know their playbook. We know how they try to minimize claims. And we know how to beat them.

3️⃣ Federal Court Authority

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, which allows us to pursue hazing cases nationwide — including in Madison County.

4️⃣ Dual-State Bar Licenses

We are licensed in Texas and New York, which gives us strategic advantages when suing national organizations headquartered in other states.

5️⃣ We Speak Spanish

Se habla español. We provide full legal services in Spanish, with no language barriers to justice.

6️⃣ We Come to You

We will travel to Madison County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier.

7️⃣ Proven Track Record

• $10 million lawsuit currently pending in hazing case
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• Former insurance defense experience — we know how to dismantle their defenses
• 25+ years of litigation experience — we’ve seen it all

📞 Madison County Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Madison County, Florida — or anywhere in Florida — we can help.

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

Free consultation — no obligation
No upfront cost — you pay nothing unless we win
We travel to Madison County — for depositions, meetings, and trials

🔥 Our Promise to Madison County Families

“We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We will fight for you with everything we have, because we truly care.”

We are not just lawyers. We are parents. We are coaches. We are members of the community. We understand what’s at stake.

When a fraternity waterboards a student, they pay.
When a university fails to protect students, they pay.
When individuals torture our children, they pay.

This is not just about compensation. It’s about accountability. It’s about sending a message. It’s about making sure this never happens to another Madison County family.

🚫 A Message to Madison County Fraternities and Sororities

To the fraternities and sororities operating in Madison County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter is in Madison County, know that we represent victims across America.

We track your national organizations. We track your house corporations. We track your insurance policies. We track your documented history of hazing.

If you haze students in Madison County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue them all. And we will win.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze in Florida.

🏛️ A Message to Madison County Universities and Colleges

To the administrators at Madison County colleges and universities:

You have a duty to protect your students. When you fail, you are liable.

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded and hospitalized. They knew about a prior hazing incident in 2017. They did nothing.

If your institution owns Greek housing, you own the liability. If you fail to supervise, you fail your students.

We will hold you accountable. We will sue you. We will win. And we will make sure the public knows exactly what happened on your watch.

📢 Spread the Word in Madison County

Hazing thrives in silence. Break the silence.

If you know someone who has been hazed in Madison County — a friend, a teammate, a classmate — tell them to contact us.

Share this page. Post on social media. Talk to your children.

Enough is enough.

🔚 Enough Is Enough, Madison County

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not leadership.

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s often a crime.

And it has to stop.

If your child has been hazed in Madison County, you have legal rights. You have power. You have options.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are here to fight for you.

📞 Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Madison County families: We will travel to you. We will fight for you. And we will win for you.