Attorney 911 – Hazing Victims Legal Support for Marion County, Tennessee

🚨 Hazing in Marion County: A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight

Marion County, Tennessee, is home to hardworking families, tight-knit communities, and young people eager to build their futures. But beneath the surface of our local colleges and high schools, a dangerous culture of hazing persists—one that can leave students physically broken, emotionally scarred, or worse.

At Attorney 911, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when institutions fail to protect students. Right now, we’re fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing—waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of collapse, and psychological torture. This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening right here in Tennessee, in Marion County, and at schools near you.

If your child has been a victim of hazing—whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization—you don’t have to stay silent. We’re here to fight for justice, no matter where you are in Marion County or across Tennessee.

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

Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun” or “tradition.” Under Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 49-7-123), hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization.”

Examples of Hazing in Marion County Schools & Colleges:

✅ Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, sleep deprivation
✅ Forced Consumption: Alcohol poisoning, eating until vomiting, consuming dangerous substances
✅ Psychological Torture: Waterboarding, humiliation, threats, isolation
✅ Sexual Abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands

Tennessee law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

🏫 Where Hazing Happens in Marion County & Nearby Schools

Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life. It occurs in:

Colleges & Universities Near Marion County:

• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) – Active Greek life, sports teams, and student organizations
• Lee University (Cleveland, TN) – Private Christian university with Greek organizations
• Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, TN) – Smaller private school with student groups
• Chattanooga State Community College – Clubs and student organizations
• Tennessee Wesleyan University (Athens, TN) – Greek life and athletic teams

High Schools in Marion County & Surrounding Areas:

• Marion County High School – Sports teams, marching band, clubs
• South Pittsburg High School – Football, basketball, and other athletic teams
• Whitwell High School – Student organizations and sports
• Sequatchie County High School – Marching band, football, and other extracurriculars

If your child attends any of these schools—or any school in Tennessee—they could be at risk.

⚠️ The Devastating Consequences of Hazing

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” It’s abuse, and the consequences can be life-altering:

Physical Injuries:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure) – This is what happened to our client in Houston.
• Alcohol poisoning – Can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injuries – From beatings or falls
• Broken bones, internal bleeding, burns – From physical abuse
• Hypothermia or heatstroke – From forced exposure

Psychological Trauma:

• PTSD – Nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety
• Depression & Suicidal Thoughts – Hazing victims are at higher risk
• Trust Issues – Difficulty forming relationships after betrayal
• Academic Struggles – Falling grades, dropping out

Legal & Financial Fallout:

• Medical bills – Hospital stays, therapy, long-term treatment
• Lost wages – Time off work for recovery
• Legal fees – If you don’t have a lawyer, institutions will take advantage
• Criminal charges – Against perpetrators (and sometimes victims)

Hazing doesn’t just hurt the victim—it devastates entire families.

💔 Real Cases That Hit Close to Home

1. The Pi Kappa Phi Case (Houston, TX – 2025)

What Happened: A student was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. The fraternity had already killed a student in 2017—yet did nothing to change.

Why It Matters for Marion County: The same fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others) have chapters near Marion County. If they’re hazing in Texas, they’re hazing in Tennessee.

2. The Stone Foltz Case (Ohio – 2021)

What Happened: A Bowling Green State University student died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a fraternity event.

Outcome: The family won $10.1 million—the largest hazing settlement in Ohio history.

3. The Max Gruver Case (Louisiana – 2017)

What Happened: An LSU student died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual. His blood alcohol level was 0.495—more than 6 times the legal limit.

Outcome: A $6.1 million jury verdict and a new law (Max Gruver Act) making hazing a felony in Louisiana.

4. The Timothy Piazza Case (Penn State – 2017)

What Happened: A student fell down stairs multiple times after being forced to drink 18 alcoholic drinks in 82 minutes. Fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911 while he lay dying.

Outcome: A $110+ million settlement and a new law (Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law) in Pennsylvania.

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a pattern—and it’s happening in Tennessee too.

⚖️ Tennessee Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

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

1. Criminal Penalties (T.C.A. § 49-7-123)

This means the people who hazed your child could go to PRISON.

2. Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued?

You can sue:
✅ The local chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi at UTC)
✅ The national organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.)
✅ The university or school (if they knew and failed to act)
✅ Individual members (the people who actually did the hazing)
✅ Fraternity/sorority housing corporations (if hazing happened on their property)

3. Tennessee’s “Consent Is Not a Defense” Rule

Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Tennessee?

Hazing cases can result in millions of dollars in compensation, depending on:

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Ohio, 2021)
• $6.1 million – Max Gruver (Louisiana, 2017)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Pennsylvania, 2017)
• $4+ million – Adam Oakes (Virginia, 2024)

Your child’s case could be worth just as much—or more.

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

Time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire. Here’s what to do right now:

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, go to the ER or urgent care.
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
• Medical records = evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
• Get witness names and contact info (other victims, bystanders).
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or School Alone

• The fraternity, sorority, or school will try to control the narrative.
• They may pressure your child to sign something or give a statement.
• Anything your child says can be used against them.

Step 4: Report the Incident

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Tennessee).
• Report to the school/university (Title IX office, student conduct).
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority (if applicable).

Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
• No upfront fees – We only get paid if we win.
• 24/7 availability – Call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911.

🛡️ Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Marion County Hazing Case?

We’re not just lawyers—we’re fighters. And we’ve got the experience to take on even the most powerful institutions.

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these organizations operate—and how to beat them.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We’ve worked on the other side—defending insurance companies.
• We know all their tricks to deny or lowball claims.
• Now, we use that knowledge to fight for victims like you.

3. Nationwide Reach with Local Focus

• Based in Texas, but we serve Marion County and all of Tennessee.
• Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities/sororities anywhere.
• Willing to travel to Marion County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Wins

• BP Texas City explosion litigation – Mass tort experience against corporate giants.
• Wrongful death cases – Fighting for families who’ve lost loved ones.
• Catastrophic injury cases – Securing compensation for life-altering injuries.

5. We Speak Your Language (Literally)

• Fluent in Spanish – We serve Spanish-speaking families without language barriers.
• Compassionate, no-nonsense approach – We treat you like family, not a case number.

6. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win

• Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• No hidden fees – Our fee is a percentage of your settlement, so we’re motivated to win big.

📞 Marion County Families: Call Us Now – 1-888-ATTY-911

Hazing is abuse. It’s illegal. And it must stop.

If your child has been hazed in Marion County—whether at a local high school, UTC, Lee University, or any other institution—you have rights. And we’re here to fight for them.

Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We will travel to Marion County. We will fight for you. And we won’t stop until justice is served.

🔥 A Message to Fraternities & Sororities in Marion County

We know who you are.

We know your chapters at UTC, Lee University, Southern Adventist, and other schools near Marion County. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements—and we’re coming for you next.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta—if your chapter is hazing students in Marion County, we will find out. And we will sue you.

Universities in Tennessee: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. If you knew about hazing and did nothing, you will be held accountable.

To Greek life leadership in Marion County: The Bermudez case is your warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

📢 Marion County Parents: Protect Your Child Before It’s Too Late

Hazing doesn’t just happen to “other people’s kids.” It happens to good kids from good families—kids who just wanted to make friends, join a team, or be part of something bigger.

Talk to your child about hazing before it’s too late. Here’s what to look for:

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

• Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, anxiety, depression)
• Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
• Avoiding certain people or places
• Sudden drop in grades or academic performance
• Talking about “traditions” or “rituals” they can’t discuss
• Signs of sleep deprivation (dark circles, exhaustion)
• Unexplained absences or late-night activities

What to Say to Your Child:

✅ “No tradition is worth your safety. If someone is pressuring you to do something dangerous, it’s not okay.”
✅ “You can always come to me—no matter what. I won’t judge you.”
✅ “If you see hazing happening to someone else, speak up. You could save a life.”
✅ “If you’re ever in a situation where you feel unsafe, call me immediately—no questions asked.”

Hazing is not a rite of passage. It’s abuse. And it’s time to end it.

🏆 We Won’t Stop Until Hazing Is Gone from Marion County

This isn’t just about one case. It’s about changing the culture in Marion County, in Tennessee, and across America.

We’re fighting for:
✅ Justice for victims – Financial compensation and accountability.
✅ Criminal charges for perpetrators – So they face real consequences.
✅ Stronger laws – To make hazing a felony in Tennessee, just like in Louisiana.
✅ University accountability – So schools can’t ignore hazing anymore.
✅ A safer future – So no other Marion County family has to go through this.

If you or your child has been hazed, you don’t have to suffer in silence. We’re here to fight for you.

Call Attorney 911 today: 1-888-ATTY-911

📌 Marion County Hazing Lawyer – Serving All of Tennessee

Attorney 911
📍 Serving Marion County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We fight for hazing victims in Marion County, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Athens, and across Tennessee.