Hazing Lawyers in Mineral County, WV – Protecting Students & Families from Abuse
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Mineral County, WV, you have legal rights. Attorney 911 fights for hazing victims and their families—holding universities, national organizations, and individuals accountable.
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities, the same risks, and the same negligence exist at universities near Mineral County. Your child could be next—and we can help.
📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
Why Mineral County Families Trust Attorney 911
1. Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experience
We are actively fighting a $10 million hazing case in Texas, representing a student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being tortured during fraternity initiation. This isn’t just legal theory—we’re in the courtroom right now, and we bring that same aggressive representation to Mineral County families.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Before fighting for victims, we worked for insurance companies—so we know their playbook. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation and dismantle their defenses.
3. Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, meaning we can pursue hazing cases anywhere in America—including Mineral County, WV. Whether the incident happened at a local university or a national fraternity with a chapter near Mineral County, we can hold them accountable.
4. Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York)
Our attorneys are licensed in two states, giving us strategic advantages when suing national fraternities and sororities headquartered outside West Virginia.
5. We Travel to Mineral County
Distance is not a barrier. We will come to Mineral County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. You don’t have to travel to Texas—we bring the fight to you.
6. Contingency Fee Representation – $0 Upfront
We understand that Mineral County families may be worried about legal costs. That’s why we work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
Hazing in Mineral County, WV: The Crisis You Need to Know About
Hazing isn’t just a “big school” problem—it happens right here in Mineral County and at universities nearby. The same national fraternities and sororities that have killed and hospitalized students nationwide have active chapters in and around Mineral County.
Fraternities & Sororities Near Mineral County with Documented Hazing Histories
While we cannot confirm specific incidents at these institutions, national organizations with hazing deaths and lawsuits operate chapters at universities near Mineral County, including:
| University | Nearby Cities | Fraternities with Hazing Deaths/Lawsuits | Notable Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV (~1.5 hrs from Mineral County) | Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta | Multiple hazing incidents, including alcohol-related hospitalizations |
| Frostburg State University | Frostburg, MD (~30 min from Mineral County) | Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha | SAE has multiple hazing deaths nationwide |
| Shepherd University | Shepherdstown, WV (~1 hr from Mineral County) | Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma | National Sigma Chi chapters have faced hazing lawsuits |
| Allegany College of Maryland | Cumberland, MD (~20 min from Mineral County) | Local fraternities/sororities | Hazing occurs at smaller schools too |
These are the same organizations that:
✔ Waterboarded a student at UH (our current case)
✔ Killed Andrew Coffey at FSU (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017)
✔ Killed Stone Foltz at BGSU (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
✔ Killed Maxwell Gruver at LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Mineral County, they face the same risks.
What Counts as Hazing in West Virginia?
West Virginia law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
Common Hazing Activities That Are Illegal in Mineral County, WV
| Category | Examples | Legal Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion | Criminal charges, civil lawsuits |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Alcohol poisoning, choking, death |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats | PTSD, anxiety, depression |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep | Exhaustion, accidents, health issues |
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning (as seen in our UH case) | Torture – criminal charges |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault charges |
| Exposure | Cold weather exposure, heat exposure, confined spaces | Hypothermia, heat stroke, death |
West Virginia law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, hazing is still illegal.
The Medical Dangers of Hazing – What Mineral County Parents Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun”—it can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
1. Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown) – Like Our UH Client
- Caused by: Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls)
- Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, dark brown urine, inability to move
- Complications: Kidney failure, cardiac arrest, death
- Our client was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure from this exact condition.
2. Alcohol Poisoning – The #1 Killer in Hazing
- Caused by: Forced binge drinking
- Symptoms: Vomiting, unconsciousness, slow breathing, blue skin
- Complications: Choking on vomit, brain damage, death
- Andrew Coffey (FSU), Stone Foltz (BGSU), and Maxwell Gruver (LSU) all died this way.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Caused by: Beatings, falls, being struck with objects
- Symptoms: Headaches, confusion, memory loss, seizures
- Complications: Permanent brain damage, disability, death
4. Hypothermia & Heat Stroke
- Caused by: Forced exposure to extreme temperatures
- Symptoms: Shivering, dizziness, loss of consciousness
- Complications: Organ failure, death
5. Psychological Trauma (PTSD, Anxiety, Depression)
- Caused by: Humiliation, threats, torture
- Symptoms: Nightmares, panic attacks, social withdrawal
- Complications: Suicidal ideation, long-term therapy needs
If your child shows any of these symptoms after hazing, seek medical attention immediately—and call us.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Mineral County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be sued, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our UH Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National ignored warnings after Andrew Coffey’s death |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents | UH owned the fraternity house where torture occurred |
| Chapter Officers | Directed hazing activities | Fraternity president and pledgemaster named in our lawsuit |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Current and former members sued in our case |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their property | Former member and spouse named for hosting hazing |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | UH-owned fraternity house in our case |
We sue EVERYONE responsible—because hazing is never just one person’s fault.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Mineral County, WV
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
- Document everything: Take photos of injuries, save medical records.
- Our client’s mother rushed him to the hospital when he couldn’t move—this saved his life and created critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs – Screenshot everything.
✅ Photos/Videos – Save any images of hazing activities or injuries.
✅ Witness Names – Get contact info for other pledges or bystanders.
✅ Fraternity/Sorority Documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules.
✅ Financial Records – Medical bills, lost wages, tuition costs.
❌ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without a lawyer
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Report the Incident
- File a police report – Hazing is a crime in West Virginia.
- Report to the university – Request a Title IX investigation.
- Report to the national organization – They may claim they didn’t know, but they do.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- 2-year statute of limitations in West Virginia—don’t wait.
- Evidence disappears fast—texts get deleted, witnesses forget.
- Insurance companies will lowball you—we fight for full compensation.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
What Compensation Can Mineral County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000 – $3,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, lost internships | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Educational Impact | Failed classes, lost scholarships, delayed graduation | $50,000 – $200,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, beatings) | $500,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
Our current hazing case seeks $10 million—because that’s what it takes to make fraternities and universities change.
Hazing Lawsuits in the News – The Cases That Changed Everything
1. Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021) – $10.1 Million
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
- What Happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning.
- Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity).
2. Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict
- Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
- What Happened: Forced drinking game (“Bible Study”); died with BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit).
- Outcome: $6.1 million verdict; Max Gruver Act (hazing now a felony in Louisiana).
3. Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) – $110+ Million
- Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi
- What Happened: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs, died from brain injury.
- Outcome: $110+ million settlement; Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law (Pennsylvania).
4. Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017) – Same Fraternity as Our UH Case
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
- What Happened: Forced to drink entire bottle of Wild Turkey; died from alcohol poisoning.
- Outcome: Chapter closed; criminal charges.
These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win big. The same results are possible for Mineral County families.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Mineral County, WV
Q: My child consented to hazing—can we still sue?
A: YES. West Virginia 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.
Q: The fraternity is saying it was “just tradition”—is that a defense?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault, battery, and reckless endangerment are crimes—regardless of how long they’ve been happening.
Q: We’re worried about retaliation. How do we protect our child?
We understand the fear of retaliation. That’s why:
- We handle all communications with the fraternity/university.
- We can request protective orders to prevent harassment.
- We work with Title IX offices to ensure your child’s safety.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict—you pay nothing out of pocket.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
West Virginia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Do not wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing didn’t result in hospitalization?
Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered:
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Academic decline (failed classes, lost scholarships)
- Social harm (ostracization, loss of friendships)
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
You can still sue. Hazing is illegal on or off campus, and universities can be held liable if they knew or should have known about it.
Q: Can we sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?
Both. National organizations have deep pockets and are often more liable because they set the policies that allow hazing to continue.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Mineral County Hazing Case?
✅ We’re Already Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case – This isn’t just talk; we’re in court right now.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how the other side thinks.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can sue national fraternities anywhere in America.
✅ We Travel to Mineral County – You don’t have to come to Texas.
✅ Contingency Fee Representation – $0 upfront, $0 unless we win.
✅ Bilingual Representation – Se habla español.
✅ Proven Results – Millions recovered for personal injury victims.
Mineral County Families: This Ends Now
Hazing has gone on for too long. Enough is enough.
- Andrew Coffey died in 2017. Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture. They didn’t.
- Our client was hospitalized in 2025. The same fraternity, the same negligence.
- Your child could be next. But we can stop it.
We are not just lawyers—we are advocates for change. Every lawsuit we file sends a message: Hazing will not be tolerated.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We fight for Mineral County families. We fight for your child. We fight for justice.
