Hazing Lawyers in Marshall County, Indiana – Protecting Students from Abuse
Marshall County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This same abuse happens at universities near Marshall County—including Indiana University South Bend, Purdue University Fort Wayne, and other Indiana campuses where the same national fraternities operate.
If your child has been hazed in Marshall County or anywhere in Indiana, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Marshall County hazing emergencies)
The Hazing Crisis in Marshall County and Beyond
Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It’s abuse. And it’s happening right here in Indiana.
Marshall County Parents: Know the Warning Signs
Hazing at Indiana universities often includes:
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
- Extreme physical punishment (excessive exercise, paddling, beatings)
- Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
- Dangerous rituals (simulated drowning, branding, confinement)
These aren’t pranks—they’re crimes. And they can lead to hospitalization, permanent injury, or even death.
Our Current Case: A Warning to Marshall County Fraternities
🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Indiana
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. Over several weeks, he was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to continue running
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This same fraternity—Pi Kappa Phi—has chapters at Indiana universities. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Marshall County.
💰 $10 Million Lawsuit Filed – The Same Justice We’ll Demand for Marshall County Victims
We’ve sued:
- Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about a “hazing crisis”)
- The local chapter (for directly organizing the abuse)
- The University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where torture occurred)
- Individual members (for participating in the hazing)
Marshall County families: The same legal strategies apply to Indiana cases.
Why Marshall County Families Choose Attorney 911
🏆 Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing case (Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi)
- Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how defendants will try to avoid responsibility
- Federal court admission – Can pursue cases anywhere in the U.S., including Indiana
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) – Strategic advantage against national fraternities
🔍 We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions
We’ve taken on:
- Universities (negligent oversight, premises liability)
- National fraternities (pattern of abuse, failure to supervise)
- Individual perpetrators (personal liability for assault and battery)
We don’t back down from institutions with deep pockets.
💼 No Upfront Costs for Marshall County Families
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement, so there’s no financial risk to you.
📞 24/7 Availability for Marshall County Hazing Emergencies
Hazing incidents often happen at night or on weekends. We’re available around the clock to advise you on preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
Indiana Hazing Laws: What Marshall County Families Need to Know
📜 Indiana’s Anti-Hazing Statute (IC 35-42-2-2)
Indiana law defines hazing as:
“Forcing or requiring another person to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of physical injury as part of initiation into a student organization.”
Penalties:
- Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail, $1,000 fine)
- Class A misdemeanor if serious bodily injury occurs (up to 1 year in jail, $5,000 fine)
- Level 6 felony if death results (6 months to 2.5 years in prison)
Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
⚖️ Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable
In addition to criminal charges, Marshall County families can sue for:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
- Wrongful death (if hazing results in a fatality)
Indiana universities and fraternities have insurance policies with high limits—we know how to access them.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Marshall County
🚨 Immediate Steps for Marshall County Families
-
Get Medical Attention
- Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening. Go to the ER immediately.
- Document all injuries with photos and medical records.
-
Preserve Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
- Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing
- Document locations where hazing occurred
- Get witness names and contact information
-
Do NOT Confront the Fraternity
- They will destroy evidence, coordinate stories, and intimidate witnesses.
- Let us handle all communications.
-
Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- 1-888-ATTY-911 (available 24/7)
- We’ll guide you on next steps and begin preserving evidence.
-
Report to Authorities (Optional)
- Consider filing a police report or Title IX complaint.
- We can advise you on the best approach.
Who We Sue for Marshall County Hazing Victims
We pursue every responsible party to maximize compensation:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity organization | Failed to supervise despite knowing about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students despite prior hazing incidents |
| Individual members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
| Alumni/hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes (premises liability) |
| Insurance companies | Policies covering institutional liability |
Marshall County families: We leave no stone unturned.
Precedent Cases: Multi-Million Dollar Proof That Hazing Cases Win
💰 These Verdicts Prove Marshall County Families Can Win Big
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential multi-million settlement |
These same results are possible for Marshall County victims.
Hazing at Indiana Universities: The Reality
🏛️ Indiana Universities with Active Greek Life (Near Marshall County)
| University | Location | Fraternities with Hazing Histories |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University South Bend | South Bend, IN | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, others |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others |
| Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | Multiple chapters with hazing violations |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | Multiple chapters with hazing violations |
Marshall County families: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any Indiana university, they face the same risks as our client in Houston.
Why Marshall County Families Can’t Wait
⏳ Statute of Limitations in Indiana
- Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Don’t lose your right to justice.
📅 Act Now – Before It’s Too Late
- Evidence is destroyed (texts deleted, photos removed)
- Witnesses move away or become harder to locate
- Universities “investigate” and cover up incidents
The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be.
Marshall County Hazing Victims: We’re Here to Help
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation
- No obligation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- No upfront fees – We only get paid if we win
- 24/7 availability – Hazing doesn’t wait; neither do we
🏠 Serving Marshall County Families from Our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont Offices
While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Marshall County. We offer:
- Video consultations for Marshall County families
- Travel to Indiana for depositions and meetings
- Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere
Marshall County Parents: This Could Be Your Child
“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”
— Ralph Manginello, Attorney 911
This wasn’t just a “hazing incident.” It was torture. And it’s happening at universities near Marshall County right now.
🚨 If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Marshall County, Call Us Before It’s Too Late
1-888-ATTY-911
We will fight for your family like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez.
