🚨 Mariposa County Hazing Lawyer – Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorney

Serving Mariposa County, California – and Students Nationwide

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Mariposa County or anywhere in California, you have legal rights. We can help.

📞 Call Now for Immediate Help: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com/hazing

Why Mariposa County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities. It happens in Mariposa County, at local colleges, and in student organizations across California. Whether your child was injured at a fraternity near Mariposa County, a sorority at a California university, or any student group, we can help.

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win. Mariposa County families get the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.

🔥 We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now – And We’ll Fight for You

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The hazing included:

✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose – simulated drowning
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups – until he collapsed
✅ Struck with wooden paddles – physical abuse
✅ Forced to eat until vomiting – then forced to keep running
✅ Sleep deprivation and exhaustion – driven to exhaustion

This didn’t happen at a far-off university. This happens in California. This happens near Mariposa County. This could happen to your child.

Hazing in Mariposa County & California – The Reality

📍 Hazing Happens Near Mariposa County

Mariposa County is home to Yosemite Community College District, and students from Mariposa County often attend universities across California, including:

• California State University (CSU) System – Fresno, Stanislaus, Sacramento, and more
• University of California (UC) System – Merced, Berkeley, Davis, and others
• Private universities – Stanford, USC, Santa Clara, and more
• Community colleges – Columbia College, Modesto Junior College, and others

Every one of these institutions has Greek life. Every one has the same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide.

🏛️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Mariposa County

The same national organizations involved in our $10 million lawsuit have active chapters across California, including near Mariposa County:

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

What Is Hazing? California Law and Mariposa County Rights

📜 California Hazing Law – Penal Code § 245.6

California law defines hazing as:

“Any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student.”

This includes:

• Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, branding)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, mile runs, bear crawls)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological torture (waterboarding, humiliation)
• Sexual abuse or assault

Important: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.

💰 Civil Liability – You Can Sue for Hazing Injuries

In addition to criminal charges, victims and families can sue for damages, including:

• Medical bills (hospitalization, treatment, therapy)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
• Future medical expenses (if injuries cause long-term damage)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Who Can Be Sued?

• The local fraternity/sorority chapter
• The national organization
• The university (if they knew or should have known)
• Individual members (those who participated or allowed it)

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Mariposa County or California

🚨 Immediate Steps – Preserve Evidence & Protect Your Rights

1. 🏥 Seek Medical Attention Immediately

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries can be life-threatening
   • Medical records are critical evidence

2. 📸 Document Everything

   • Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns)
   • Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts
   • Write down everything that happened (dates, times, locations, people involved)

3. 🚫 Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

   • Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative
   • Anything you say can be used against you
   • Do not sign anything without legal counsel

4. 📞 Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

   • Statute of limitations: You typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit in California
   • Evidence disappears quickly – witnesses forget, messages get deleted
   • Free consultation available – call 1-888-ATTY-911

5. 📝 Report to Authorities

   • Consider filing a police report
   • Report to the university’s Title IX office
   • Report to the national organization

Why Mariposa County Families Choose Attorney 911

🏆 We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

We don’t just talk about hazing – we’re fighting it in court right now. Our experience in the Pi Kappa Phi case gives us unique insight into how fraternities operate, how universities fail to protect students, and how to win.

🛡️ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how they try to deny claims, minimize injuries, and avoid accountability. We use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

🌎 Nationwide Representation – We Serve Mariposa County & All of California

While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Mariposa County and across California. We can:

• File lawsuits in California courts
• Pursue cases in federal court when appropriate
• Travel to Mariposa County for depositions and trials
• Offer remote consultations for California families

💬 Se Habla Español – Bilingual Representation

Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. We provide full legal services in Spanish, including:

• Consultations in Spanish
• Case communication in Spanish
• Document translation
• Courtroom interpretation

💰 Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront Costs

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on a contingency fee basis:

• No upfront fees
• No hourly charges
• We only get paid if you win
• You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you

Types of Hazing Injuries We Handle for Mariposa County Families

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Mariposa County?

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) have leadership responsibility
• Individual members who participated

2. The National Organization

• Failed to supervise local chapters
• Knew about hazing culture (“hazing crisis” in our case)
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Deep pockets – millions in assets and insurance

3. The University

• Owns fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability)
• Failed to protect students despite prior incidents
• Failed to supervise Greek life
• Substantial resources – can pay large settlements

4. Individual Members & Alumni

• Participated in hazing
• Hosted hazing events at their homes (premises liability)
• May have personal assets or homeowner’s insurance

Recent Hazing Cases – What Mariposa County Families Can Expect

💰 Stone Foltz – $10.1 Million Settlement (2024)

• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
• University: Bowling Green State University
• Injury: Death from forced alcohol consumption
• Outcome: $10.1 million total settlement (university + fraternity)

💰 Maxwell Gruver – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (2023)

• Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
• University: Louisiana State University
• Injury: Death from forced drinking (BAC 0.495)
• Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict

💰 Timothy Piazza – $110+ Million Settlement (2017)

• Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
• University: Penn State
• Injury: Death from traumatic brain injury after falling down stairs
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement

💰 Our Case – $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
• University: University of Houston
• Injury: Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
• Status: Pending – Mariposa County families can expect similar results

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in California

❓ Can I sue even if my child “consented” to hazing?

Yes. California law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

❓ How much is a hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but serious hazing cases often result in millions of dollars in compensation, including:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or school)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Our current case is seeking $10 million. Mariposa County families can expect similar outcomes for severe hazing injuries.

❓ How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

In California, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your child died from hazing, you have 2 years from the date of death.

⚠️ Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

❓ Do I need a lawyer to sue for hazing?

While you can file a lawsuit without a lawyer, hazing cases are complex and involve multiple defendants with deep pockets and experienced legal teams. An attorney can:

• Investigate the case thoroughly
• Gather evidence before it disappears
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Take the case to trial if necessary

We offer free consultations and work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win.

❓ Can I sue if my child was hazed at a community college near Mariposa County?

Yes. Hazing can occur at any educational institution, including community colleges. If your child was hazed at Columbia College, Modesto Junior College, or any other school near Mariposa County, you may have a valid claim.

❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing often occurs at off-campus locations, including:

• Fraternity/sorority houses
• Private residences (alumni homes)
• Hotels
• Retreat locations

Premises liability and negligence claims still apply.

❓ Can I sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?

Possibly. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. If the university had prior hazing incidents or failed to implement adequate oversight, they may be liable even if they didn’t know about the specific incident.

❓ What if my child was not a student at the university?

You may still have a case. In our current lawsuit, the victim was a “ghost rush” – not yet enrolled at the university. Fraternities and sororities often haze non-students, and they can still be held liable.

Mariposa County Hazing Resources

🚨 Emergency Contacts

• Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office: (209) 966-3615
• Mariposa County District Attorney: (209) 966-3208
• California Highway Patrol (Mariposa): (209) 966-3655
• National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)

🏥 Medical Resources Near Mariposa County

• John C. Fremont Healthcare District (Mariposa): (209) 966-3631
• Adventist Health Sonora (Sonora): (209) 536-5100
• Memorial Medical Center (Modesto): (209) 526-4500

📚 Educational Resources

• Yosemite Community College District (Columbia College): (209) 575-6000
• California State University, Stanislaus: (209) 667-3122
• University of California, Merced: (209) 228-4400

📞 Legal Help for Mariposa County Families

• Attorney 911 – Hazing Victim Representation: 1-888-ATTY-911
• California Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (866) 442-2529

Contact Us – Free Consultation for Mariposa County Hazing Victims

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Mariposa County or anywhere in California, we can help. You are not alone.

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

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

📍 Serving Mariposa County, California – and Students Nationwide

We represent hazing victims in:

• Mariposa County
• Central Valley (Fresno, Modesto, Merced, Stockton)
• Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose)
• Los Angeles & Southern California
• Sacramento & Northern California
• All 50 states (federal court authority)

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for your family.