Hazing Victims in Marshall County: Legal Rights & How to Fight Back

Marshall County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. Now What?

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “brotherhood.” It isn’t “just part of college.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s illegal. And if your child was hazed in Marshall County, you have legal rights.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. The same fraternities operate at universities near Marshall County. The same abuse happens here. And we will fight for Marshall County families with the same aggression.

What Counts as Hazing in Marshall County?

Under Tennessee law, hazing includes any activity that:

✔ Endangers mental or physical health – Forced exercise until collapse, waterboarding, sleep deprivation
✔ Humiliates or degrades – Carrying sexual objects, stripping in public, verbal abuse
✔ Forces consumption – Alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting
✔ Causes physical harm – Paddling, branding, excessive physical punishment
✔ Creates unreasonable risk – Activities with known dangerous outcomes

Tennessee Code § 49-7-123 makes hazing a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines up to $2,500.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in Marshall County?

If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be sued:

In our current case, we’re suing:

• The fraternity
• The national organization
• The university (which owned the fraternity house)
• Individual members
• A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing)

What Can Marshall County Families Recover?

Hazing victims can pursue:

💰 Economic Damages (Actual Costs)

• Medical bills – Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy
• Future medical care – Ongoing treatment for injuries (like kidney damage)
• Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships
• Educational costs – Tuition refunds if forced to withdraw

😢 Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

• Physical pain – From injuries like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Emotional distress – PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse
• Humiliation – From degrading hazing rituals
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Missing out on college experiences

💥 Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when hazing is intentional, reckless, or malicious
• Designed to punish and deter future hazing
• Our current case seeks $10 million – in line with recent verdicts

Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What’s Possible for Marshall County Families)

Marshall County Families: These cases prove hazing lawsuits win big. The same results are possible for Marshall County victims.

What Should Marshall County Families Do NOW?

🚨 IMMEDIATE STEPS (First 24-72 Hours)

1. Get medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor (some, like rhabdomyolysis, take days to appear)
2. Preserve evidence – Take photos of injuries, save texts/group chats, document everything
3. Don’t talk to the fraternity/university – They will try to control the narrative
4. Don’t post on social media – Anything you post can be used against you
5. Call Attorney 911 – 1-888-ATTY-911 – Free consultation

📋 EVIDENCE CHECKLIST (What We Need)

✅ Medical records – Hospital visits, doctor’s notes, therapy records
✅ Photos/videos – Injuries, hazing locations, items used
✅ Texts/messages – GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp
✅ Witness names – Other pledges, bystanders
✅ Fraternity documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
✅ Academic records – Impact on grades, scholarships
✅ Financial records – Medical bills, lost wages

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Marshall County Hazing Cases?

🏆 We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

• Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• Media coverage in ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
• Proven track record in hazing litigation, including rhabdomyolysis cases

🛡️ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides
• We know exactly how they’ll try to deny or minimize your claim
• We use that knowledge against them to maximize your recovery

🌎 Nationwide Service – We Come to Marshall County

• Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont – but we serve hazing victims nationwide
• Federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Video consultations available – Meet with us remotely
• We travel to Marshall County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

💬 Se Habla Español – Bilingual Support

• Hazing affects all communities – including Spanish-speaking families
• We provide full legal services in Spanish, from consultation to court

💵 $0 Upfront – We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

• Contingency fee – No cost to hire us; we only get paid if you win
• No financial risk – If we don’t recover, you owe us nothing
• Marshall County families pay nothing upfront

Marshall County Hazing FAQs

❓ Can we sue if our child consented to hazing?

YES. Tennessee law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. Many hazing incidents occur at private residences, and those locations can also be held liable.

❓ How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

Tennessee’s statute of limitations is 1 year for personal injury. However, evidence disappears quickly, so contact us immediately to protect your rights.

❓ Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know?

YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable for negligence.

❓ What if our child is afraid of retaliation?

We protect our clients from retaliation. Many hazing victims fear speaking out – we ensure your privacy and safety throughout the legal process.

❓ Can we sue if our child wasn’t physically injured?

YES. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is just as valid a claim. Hazing causes long-term emotional damage, and you can seek compensation for that.

Marshall County Universities & Greek Life: We’re Watching You

To fraternities and sororities near Marshall County:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Kappa Sigma
• Sigma Chi
• Phi Delta Theta
• And all others

We are tracking your chapters. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories.

If you haze students in Marshall County, we will sue:

• Your chapter
• Your national organization
• Your housing corporation
• Your alumni
• Every individual who participated

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. The national organization? Sued for $10 million. Your chapter could be next.

Marshall County Parents: This Could Be Your Child

Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities. It happens at:

• Local colleges and universities near Marshall County
• Small private schools with Greek life
• Community colleges with fraternities/sororities
• High schools with sports teams and clubs

If your child is joining any organization in Marshall County, they are at risk.

Next Steps for Marshall County Families

1. Call Attorney 911 NOW – 1-888-ATTY-911 – Free, confidential consultation
2. Preserve all evidence – Don’t delete anything
3. Don’t talk to the fraternity or university – Let us handle communications
4. Get medical attention – Document all injuries
5. Let us fight for you – We’ll handle the legal battle while you focus on recovery

We come to Marshall County. We fight for Marshall County families. And we won’t stop until justice is served.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now

📧 Email ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Visit attorney911.com

Marshall County hazing victims: You are not alone. We are here to help.