🛡️ Hazing Victims in Madison County, Ohio: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Attorney 911 — Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Madison County, Ohio

Madison County is home to hardworking families who send their children to college with dreams of opportunity, friendship, and growth. But for too many students at Ohio State University, Miami University, and other institutions near Madison County, those dreams turn into nightmares when they encounter hazing culture in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other organizations.

What happened at the University of Houston could happen here in Madison County.

In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. He was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles — all as part of so-called “pledge traditions.”

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Ohio. It’s happening near Madison County.

If your child has been hazed at Ohio State, Miami University, Wittenberg University, or any other school near Madison County, you are not powerless. The same legal strategies we’re using in Houston can protect your child and hold abusers accountable in Ohio.

⚠️ What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Ohio)

Hazing is not team-building or tradition. It is abuse, and it is illegal in Ohio.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31, hazing is defined as:

“Doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person.”

This includes:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, branding, burning
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, drugs, food (until vomiting or passing out)
• Psychological torture: Humiliation, sleep deprivation, isolation, threats
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Dangerous activities: Waterboarding, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces

Ohio law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.

💔 How Hazing Harms Madison County Students

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries — it destroys lives.

Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) → kidney failure (like our client in Houston)
• Alcohol poisoning → coma, death
• Traumatic brain injuries → from beatings or falls
• Broken bones, burns, internal injuries
• Heat stroke or hypothermia → from extreme weather exposure

Psychological Trauma

• PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Suicidal ideation (hazing is linked to increased suicide risk)
• Trust issues and social withdrawal
• Academic decline (many victims drop out or fail classes)

Long-Term Consequences

• Permanent organ damage (kidneys, liver, heart)
• Chronic pain or disability
• Substance abuse (self-medicating to cope)
• Lost career opportunities (due to academic disruption)

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Madison County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:

In our Houston case, we’re suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National
• The local chapter
• University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
• Individual members and officers
• A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

Madison County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

💰 What Compensation Can Madison County Victims Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to millions of dollars in compensation, including:

Economic Damages (Tangible Costs)

• Medical bills (emergency room, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
• Educational expenses (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
• Future earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and shame
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or permanent impairment

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or malicious
• Designed to punish wrongdoers and deter future hazing
• In Ohio, punitive damages are capped at twice the compensatory damages

Precedent Cases Show Hazing Victims Win Big:

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

Madison County families can recover the same compensation.

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

If you suspect your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and Ohio has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

🚨 Immediate Steps to Take:

1. Get medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, get them documented.
2. Preserve evidence — Save all texts, social media posts, photos, and videos related to the hazing.
3. Document everything — Write down dates, times, locations, and descriptions of what happened.
4. Do NOT talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence.
5. Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you.
6. Contact an attorney immediately — Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

⚖️ Legal Steps We Will Take for You:

1. Investigate the incident — Gather witness statements, medical records, and evidence.
2. Identify all liable parties — Chapter, nationals, university, individuals.
3. File a lawsuit — Seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
4. Negotiate with insurance companies — Demand fair settlements.
5. Take the case to trial if necessary — We will fight for maximum compensation.

🎓 Universities Near Madison County With Greek Life

If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they are at risk of hazing:

The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta — have chapters at these schools.

Madison County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Madison County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing

Many parents don’t realize their child is being hazed until it’s too late. Watch for these red flags:

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Extreme exhaustion or difficulty walking
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, passing out)
• Changes in appearance (unkempt, dirty clothes)

Behavioral Signs

• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Fear or anxiety about attending events
• Decline in academic performance
• Mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts
• Avoiding certain people or places

Social Signs

• Sudden new friend group (pledge class)
• Wearing unusual clothing or carrying strange objects
• Late-night or early-morning activities
• Sudden financial requests (paying for “events” or “fees”)

If you notice these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing. Contact us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

📞 Why Madison County Families Choose Attorney 911

We are not just any law firm. We are hazing litigation experts with a proven track record of holding powerful institutions accountable.

🏆 Our Experience:

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• Former insurance defense attorneys — We know how they think and fight back
• Federal court admission — Can pursue cases nationwide
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — Strategic advantage against national fraternities
• Currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
• Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases

🌍 Nationwide Representation for Madison County Families

While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Madison County, Ohio. We offer:

• Free consultations — In-person, by phone, or video
• Contingency fee representation — You pay $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
• Willingness to travel — We will come to Madison County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote case management — Handle everything by phone, email, and video

🗣️ What Our Clients Say:

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz

“If you’re ever in a car accident, I highly recommend you give them a call 10/10. The staff provides great customer service and show they are a firm that cares about their clients!” — Devin Hebert

Madison County families: We will treat you with the same care and dedication.

🚫 Common Myths About Hazing (Debunked)

Myth 1: “It’s just harmless fun — boys will be boys.”

Reality: Hazing is abuse, not fun. It causes physical and psychological trauma, and in many cases, death. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and extreme physical punishment are not harmless.

Myth 2: “My child consented, so it’s not illegal.”

Reality: Ohio law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held liable.

Myth 3: “Only fraternities haze.”

Reality: Hazing happens in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other organizations. Any group that uses initiation rituals is at risk.

Myth 4: “The university will handle it internally.”

Reality: Universities protect their reputations, not your child. They will downplay the incident to avoid bad publicity. You need an attorney to fight for real accountability.

Myth 5: “Hazing only happens at big schools.”

Reality: Hazing occurs at large universities and small colleges alike. In fact, smaller schools often have less oversight, making hazing more dangerous.

Myth 6: “It’s not worth suing — the fraternity doesn’t have money.”

Reality: National fraternities have millions in assets and insurance. Universities have substantial endowments. There is money to recover, and we know how to get it.

📜 Ohio Hazing Laws — Know Your Rights

Ohio has strong laws against hazing, but many families don’t know their rights. Here’s what you need to know:

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Hazing

• Misdemeanor of the 4th degree for engaging in hazing
• Misdemeanor of the 1st degree if hazing causes serious physical harm
• Felony of the 3rd degree if hazing causes death

Penalties:

• Up to 6 months in jail for misdemeanor hazing
• Up to 18 months in jail if serious physical harm occurs
• Up to 5 years in prison if hazing causes death

Ohio Revised Code § 2307.44 — Civil Liability

• Hazing victims can sue for damages
• Organizations can be held vicariously liable for member conduct
• No cap on compensatory damages in Ohio

Collin’s Law (Ohio Senate Bill 126)

• Named after Collin Wiant, who died from hazing at Ohio University in 2018
• Increased penalties for hazing
• Requires universities to report hazing incidents
• Mandates hazing education for students

Madison County families: These laws exist to protect your child. We will use them to hold abusers accountable.

🎯 How We Will Fight for Madison County Families

When you hire Attorney 911, we go to war for your child. Here’s how we’ll build your case:

Step 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they save evidence
• Subpoena text messages, social media posts, and emails
• Obtain security camera footage from fraternity houses and campus
• Interview witnesses before they forget or are intimidated

Step 2: Medical and Psychological Evaluation

• Work with medical experts to document injuries
• Obtain complete medical records from all providers
• Consult mental health professionals to assess trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Step 3: Identify All Liable Parties

• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
• Active and former members who participated
• National fraternity organization
• University administration
• Alumni who hosted hazing events
• Insurance companies

Step 4: Demand Accountability

• File a lawsuit seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
• Take the case to trial if necessary to secure maximum compensation

Step 5: Prevent Future Hazing

• Work with legislators to strengthen Ohio hazing laws
• Partner with anti-hazing organizations to raise awareness
• Expose the culture that allows hazing to continue

📢 Message to Fraternities Near Madison County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and every other Greek organization near Madison County:

We are watching.

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

If your chapter hazes students in Madison County, we will:

• Sue your national organization for failing to supervise
• Sue your local chapter for direct liability
• Sue your university for failing to protect students
• Sue your officers and members individually
• Pursue every available insurance policy

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.

📢 Message to Universities Near Madison County

To Ohio State University, Miami University, Wittenberg University, and all other institutions near Madison County:

You have a duty to protect your students.

When you own fraternity houses, you own the liability for what happens inside them.

When you have prior hazing incidents and do nothing, you are negligent.

When you fail to monitor, inspect, and regulate Greek life, you are complicit.

We will hold you accountable.

📢 Message to Madison County Parents

To the families of Madison County:

We know you’re scared. We know you’re angry. We know you feel powerless.

But you are not powerless.

You have the right to fight back. You have the right to demand justice. You have the right to protect your child.

We are here to help.

Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen. We will believe you. And we will fight for you.

🚀 Take Action Now — Madison County Families

Hazing doesn’t have to destroy your child’s future.

If your child has been hazed at Ohio State, Miami University, or any school near Madison County:

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

Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if you win.

🔥 Enough Is Enough — Let’s End Hazing in Madison County

Hazing is not tradition. It is not bonding. It is not harmless.

It is abuse. It is illegal. And it must stop.

Madison County families: You have the power to make a difference.

By standing up for your child, you are protecting every student who comes after them.

Call Attorney 911 today. Let’s fight this battle together.

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

Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Serving Madison County, Ohio from Houston, Austin & Beaumont
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 🌐 attorney911.com