Hazing Prevention & Legal Rights for Montmorency County Families

Protecting Students from Greek Life Abuse in Northern Michigan

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem happening at big universities far from Montmorency County. The same dangerous traditions that led to a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston could be happening right here in Northern Michigan—at Alpena Community College, nearby universities, or even local high school organizations.

If your child has been a victim of hazing—whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, band, or any student group—you have legal rights. Attorney 911, based in Texas but serving victims nationwide, is currently litigating one of the most high-profile hazing cases in the country. We bring that same aggressive, expert-level representation to Montmorency County families who need justice.

🚨 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Michigan)

Hazing is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act—on or off campus—that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.

Examples of Hazing (That Could Be Happening Near Montmorency County):

✅ Physical Abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced Consumption – Drinking alcohol until vomiting, eating until sick
✅ Sleep Deprivation – All-night activities, forced driving for members
✅ Psychological Torture – Waterboarding, humiliation, threats of expulsion
✅ Dangerous Activities – Extreme calisthenics, exposure to harsh weather
✅ Sexual Abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

Michigan Law (MCL 750.411t) makes hazing a crime—punishable by fines and jail time. But criminal charges aren’t enough. Victims and families can sue for financial compensation to cover medical bills, therapy, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

💔 Real Hazing Cases That Could Happen in Montmorency County

Case 1: The $10 Million Pi Kappa Phi Lawsuit (2025) – What Happened in Texas Could Happen Here

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not even a UH student yet—expected to transfer)
• Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
• Injury: Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) → Acute kidney failure → 4-day hospitalization
• Lawsuit: $10 million against Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston, and individual members
• Why It Matters for Montmorency County: The same fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others) have chapters near Alpena and across Michigan. If they’re hazing in Texas, they could be hazing in Michigan.

Case 2: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, 2021) – $10.1 Million Settlement

• Victim: Died from forced alcohol consumption
• Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity)
• Why It Matters: If a student dies from hazing, families can sue for millions. If a student is injured (like Bermudez), they can still recover substantial compensation.

Case 3: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) – $110+ Million Settlement

• Victim: Fell down stairs after forced drinking, died from brain injury
• Fraternity’s Response: Members waited 12 hours to call 911
• Outcome: $110+ million settlement (one of the largest hazing payouts ever)
• Why It Matters: When institutions cover up hazing, they face massive financial penalties.

⚖️ Michigan Hazing Laws – What Montmorency County Families Need to Know

1. Criminal Penalties (MCL 750.411t)

Hazing is a misdemeanor in Michigan, punishable by:

• Up to 93 days in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• Felony charges if hazing causes serious injury or death

Example: If a student in Alpena or nearby is forced to drink until they pass out and suffer alcohol poisoning, the hazers could face criminal charges.

2. Civil Lawsuits – Suing for Financial Compensation

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, victims can sue for money damages, including:

• Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if hazing caused missed work or career setbacks)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the organization for gross negligence)

Who Can Be Sued?
✔ The fraternity/sorority (local chapter + national organization)
✔ The university/college (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
✔ Individual members (those who participated or failed to stop it)
✔ Alumni or property owners (if hazing happened at their home)

🏛️ Are There Fraternities or Sororities Near Montmorency County?

While Montmorency County itself doesn’t have a major university, students from the area often attend schools with Greek life, including:

Even if your child isn’t in a fraternity/sorority, hazing can happen in:

• Sports teams (football, hockey, wrestling)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• High school clubs

🚨 Warning Signs Your Child May Be a Hazing Victim

Hazing often starts subtly but escalates quickly. Watch for these red flags:

Physical Signs:

❌ Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
❌ Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation
❌ Sudden weight loss or gain (forced eating/drinking)
❌ Complaints of muscle pain or weakness
❌ Dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis—a medical emergency)

Behavioral Signs:

❌ Withdrawal from family/friends
❌ Sudden drop in grades
❌ Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
❌ Fear of talking about their group
❌ Secretive about activities or whereabouts
❌ Unexplained large purchases (forcing pledges to buy things)

Group Dynamics:

❌ “It’s just tradition” – This is NOT an excuse
❌ “Everyone goes through it” – This is NOT consent
❌ “You can’t tell anyone” – This is a cover-up
❌ “If you quit, you’re weak” – This is manipulation

📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Montmorency County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• If your child has dark urine, severe muscle pain, or signs of alcohol poisoning, go to the ER immediately.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be fatal if untreated.
• Document everything—take photos of injuries, save medical records.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

✅ Save all texts, GroupMe/Snapchat messages, emails
✅ Take screenshots of social media posts (before they’re deleted)
✅ Write down names of witnesses
✅ Keep any physical evidence (paddles, clothing, objects used in hazing)

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• To the school: File a complaint with Alpena Community College or the university.
• To the police: Hazing is a crime in Michigan—file a report.
• To the national organization: If it’s a fraternity/sorority, report to their headquarters.

Step 4: Contact an Attorney – BEFORE Talking to Anyone Else

⚠️ Do NOT:

• Talk to the fraternity/sorority leadership
• Give a statement to the university without legal counsel
• Sign any documents from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

✅ Do:

• Call Attorney 911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911
• Get a free consultation—we’ll evaluate your case
• Let us handle all communications with the school and fraternity

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Michigan?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits can recover millions, including:

Factors That Increase Case Value:
✔ Egregious conduct (waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption)
✔ Pattern of hazing (if the group has a history)
✔ Institutional knowledge (if the school/fraternity knew and did nothing)
✔ Cover-up attempts (if they tried to hide evidence)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Montmorency County Families

1. “My child agreed to join—does that mean they consented to hazing?”

NO. Michigan law (like Texas law) does not allow consent as a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, they did not consent to being tortured, abused, or hospitalized.

2. “The fraternity says it was just ‘tradition’—is that an excuse?”

NO. “Tradition” does not make illegal activity legal. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and physical abuse are not traditions—they’re crimes.

3. “Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?”

YES. Hazing laws apply on or off campus. If the hazing happened at a private home, the property owner can also be sued.

4. “What if the school says they didn’t know?”

They should have known. If a fraternity has a history of hazing (like Pi Kappa Phi), the school has a duty to investigate and prevent it. Failure to act makes them liable.

5. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Michigan?”

• Personal injury: 3 years from the date of injury (MCL 600.5805)
• Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death
• Criminal charges: No strict deadline, but sooner is better

⚠️ Don’t wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

6. “We can’t afford a lawyer—how much does this cost?”

You pay NOTHING upfront. Attorney 911 works on a contingency fee basis—we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement, so there’s no financial risk to you.

7. “Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?”

NO. Michigan has anti-retaliation laws protecting students who report hazing. If the school or fraternity retaliates (kicking them out, harassing them), that’s illegal and can lead to additional lawsuits.

8. “Can we sue even if no criminal charges were filed?”

YES. Criminal and civil cases are separate. Even if the police don’t press charges, you can still sue for financial compensation.

9. “What if my child was hazed at Alpena Community College?”

You can still sue. While ACC doesn’t have traditional Greek life, hazing can happen in sports teams, clubs, or even study groups. We’ll investigate and determine liability.

10. “How do we know if we have a strong case?”

The strongest hazing cases have:
✔ Documented injuries (medical records, photos)
✔ Evidence of hazing (texts, videos, witness statements)
✔ Multiple victims (pattern of abuse)
✔ Institutional knowledge (school/fraternity knew and did nothing)

Call us for a free case evaluation—we’ll tell you if you have a case.

📞 What Montmorency County Families Should Do Next

If your child has been a victim of hazing—or if you suspect they have—time is critical.

✅ Step 1: Call Attorney 911 Now – Free Consultation

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

✅ Step 2: We’ll Evaluate Your Case

• Review medical records
• Assess evidence
• Determine liability (who can be sued)
• Explain your legal options

✅ Step 3: We Fight for Maximum Compensation

• Medical bills (past & future)
• Pain & suffering (physical & emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the organization)
• Lost wages & educational setbacks

✅ Step 4: We Protect Your Child from Retaliation

• Handle all communications with the school/fraternity
• Ensure no retaliation occurs
• Fight for their rights in disciplinary hearings

🔥 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Montmorency County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case

• Same strategies we’re using in Texas apply in Michigan
• We know how to defeat the “consent” defense
• We know how to hold universities and national organizations accountable

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

• Ralph Manginello & 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 their own tactics against them

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Montmorency County Families

• Based in Texas, but we travel to Michigan for depositions and trials
• Federal court authority – we can sue national fraternities anywhere
• Video consultations available if you can’t meet in person

4. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• $10M+ hazing case currently pending
• Hundreds of personal injury cases won
• 4.9-star Google rating (250+ reviews)

5. We Treat Montmorency County Families Like Family

• Bilingual staff (Se habla español)
• Compassionate, aggressive representation
• No upfront costs – you pay nothing unless we win

🏆 Our Promise to Montmorency County Families

“We don’t just talk about fighting hazing—we’re doing it right now. And we’ll bring that same fight to protect students in Montmorency County.”
— Ralph Manginello, Attorney 911

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
— Lupe Pena, Attorney 911

🚨 Act Now – Before It’s Too Late

Hazing doesn’t stop until someone holds these organizations accountable. If your child was hazed in Montmorency County, Alpena, or anywhere in Michigan, we can help.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
attorney911.com

We serve Montmorency County, Alpena, and all of Northern Michigan. Distance is not a barrier—justice is our mission.

🔗 Helpful Resources for Montmorency County Families

• Michigan Hazing Laws (MCL 750.411t)
• StopHazing.org – National Hazing Prevention
• Clery Center – Campus Safety Resources
• Alpena Community College Student Handbook

Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Accountability.

If your child was hazed in Montmorency County, Alpena, or anywhere in Michigan—we’re here to fight for you. 🚨 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.