Hazing Victims in Maryland: Legal Rights & How to Seek Justice

Maryland Families Deserve Justice for Hazing Abuse

Hazing is not tradition. It is not bonding. It is assault, battery, and institutional negligence—and it happens at universities across Maryland. If your child has been hazed, they have legal rights, and the institutions responsible—fraternities, sororities, universities, and national organizations—must be held accountable.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This is not an isolated incident—it happens at Maryland schools too.

Maryland parents: Your child’s case deserves the same aggressive representation.

Hazing in Maryland: The Crisis on Local Campuses

Maryland is home to major universities with active Greek life, including:

• University of Maryland, College Park (UMD)
• Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)
• Towson University
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
• Loyola University Maryland
• Salisbury University
• Frostburg State University
• Morgan State University
• Bowie State University

The same national fraternities and sororities involved in deadly hazing cases nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and others—have active chapters in Maryland.

Maryland Hazing Statistics & Risks

While Maryland does not publish statewide hazing statistics, national data shows:

• 55% of Greek life members experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report hazing
• Since 2000, at least one hazing death has occurred every year in the U.S.
• 95% of hazing victims do NOT report it

Maryland students are at risk—just like our client in Texas.

What Constitutes Hazing in Maryland?

Maryland law defines hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.

Common Hazing Practices in Maryland (and Nationwide)

Hazing takes many forms, including:

Maryland law is clear: Hazing is illegal, and consent is NOT a defense.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Maryland?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

Maryland families: You can sue ALL responsible parties—no matter where they are based.

Maryland Hazing Laws: What Victims Need to Know

Maryland Criminal Law (Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 7-306)

• Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a $500 fine
• If hazing causes serious injury or death, penalties increase to 10 years in prison
• Consent is NOT a defense—even if the victim “agreed” to participate

Maryland Civil Law: Suing for Damages

Maryland allows hazing victims to sue for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages & earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress & PTSD
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Maryland has NO cap on pain and suffering damages, meaning juries can award millions in severe cases.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing lawsuits routinely result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Recent examples:

Maryland families: These same results are possible for your child.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Maryland

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked—rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be deadly.
• Document everything—hospital records are crucial evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
• Save all communications—texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails.
• Get witness names and contact info—other pledges, bystanders, friends.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative.
• They may destroy evidence.
• They may pressure your child to stay silent.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
• Evidence disappears quickly—witnesses forget, messages get deleted.
• Insurance companies will lowball you—they want to pay as little as possible.

Why Maryland Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case RIGHT NOW

• Current case: Pi Kappa Phi (UH) – student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after waterboarding, 500 squats, and wooden paddles.
• Maryland families: We will bring the same aggressive representation to your case.

2. Nationwide Experience – We Travel to Maryland

• Based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), but we serve clients nationwide.
• Federal court authority – we can sue national fraternities in federal court.
• We come to Maryland for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies.
• We know how they try to deny claims.
• We use that knowledge to MAXIMIZE your compensation.

4. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

• $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.
• Maryland families: You have nothing to lose by calling us.

5. Bilingual Support – Se Habla Español

• Fluent Spanish-speaking staff to assist Maryland’s Hispanic families.

Maryland Hazing Victims: Your Legal Rights

You Can Sue For:

✅ Medical bills (past and future)
✅ Lost wages & earning capacity
✅ Pain and suffering
✅ Emotional distress & PTSD
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Maryland-Specific Legal Protections:

✔ No cap on pain and suffering damages (unlike some states)
✔ Consent is NOT a defense – they can’t claim your child “agreed” to hazing
✔ Universities can be held liable if they knew or should have known about hazing
✔ National fraternities/sororities can be sued in Maryland courts

Maryland Hazing Hotspots: Where It Happens

University of Maryland, College Park (UMD)

• Large Greek life presence (40+ fraternities/sororities)
• Known hazing risks – multiple reports of alcohol-related incidents
• Potential for extreme physical hazing (forced exercise, paddling)

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)

• Elite private university with Greek life
• High-pressure academic environment – students may endure hazing to “fit in”
• Potential for psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation)

Towson University

• Strong Greek life culture
• Past hazing incidents reported (though not widely publicized)
• Risk of alcohol poisoning in pledge activities

Loyola University Maryland

• Jesuit university with Greek organizations
• Potential for “elite” hazing culture (exclusive clubs, high-pressure initiation)

Salisbury University & Frostburg State University

• Smaller schools with active Greek life
• Higher risk of extreme hazing due to less oversight

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Maryland Families

1. “My child signed a waiver—can we still sue?”

✅ YES. Maryland law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, they can still sue.

2. “The university says they didn’t know—are they still liable?”

✅ YES. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they should have known about hazing (due to past incidents or Greek life culture), they can be held liable.

3. “The fraternity is already suspended—can we still sue?”

✅ YES. Suspension does NOT absolve them of liability. In fact, it may prove they knew about the problem and failed to act.

4. “We’re not in Texas—can Attorney 911 help us?”

✅ ABSOLUTELY. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Maryland. We travel to Maryland for depositions and trials.

5. “How much is my child’s case worth?”

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits routinely settle for millions. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
• Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol, beatings)
• Pattern of abuse (prior hazing incidents at the same chapter)
• University’s knowledge (did they ignore warnings?)

Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million—Maryland families can expect similar compensation.

6. “What if my child is afraid of retaliation?”

✅ We protect our clients. Many hazing victims fear speaking out—we ensure their safety and confidentiality.

7. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Maryland?”

✅ Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait—evidence disappears, and witnesses forget.

Maryland Hazing Victims: Take Action Now

🚨 If your child was hazed in Maryland, call us IMMEDIATELY.

Free, confidential consultation – 24/7

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

We will travel to Maryland for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Maryland Parents: This Can Happen to Your Child

Our client in Texas was:

• A transfer student not even enrolled at UH yet
• Waterboarded with a garden hose
• Forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Hospitalized with kidney failure for 4 days

The same fraternities operate in Maryland. The same negligence exists at Maryland universities.

Maryland families: Don’t let your child be next.

Call Attorney 911 Today – Before It’s Too Late.

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

We fight for Maryland hazing victims—because enough is enough.