🛡️🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: Your Rights as a Morgan County Family

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Morgan County, Ohio — you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now, and we’re ready to fight for Morgan County families too.

🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Morgan County

Right now, our attorneys are representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis after being hazed at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The hazing included:

• Waterboarding 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 vomiting, then forced to keep running
• Slept only a few hours a night while driving fraternity members
• Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing — they kept going

This didn’t just happen in Houston. It happens at universities near Morgan County too.

The same fraternities with chapters near Morgan County have the same hazing cultures. The same universities near Morgan County have the same oversight failures. And the same national organizations have the same history of ignoring abuse.

If your child was hazed in Morgan County — we can help.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Morgan County Family

1. You Can Sue — Even If Your Child “Consented”

Many fraternities and sororities will claim your child “agreed” to hazing. Ohio law says that doesn’t matter.

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 (Hazing Law):
“No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another.”
“Consent to hazing is not a defense.”

Translation: Even if your child signed something or said “yes,” hazing is still illegal and you can still sue.

2. Multiple Defendants Can Be Held Liable

In our Houston case, we’re suing:

• The local fraternity chapter (directly responsible)
• The national fraternity organization (failed to supervise)
• The University of Houston (owned the fraternity house)
• Individual members (participated in hazing)
• Former members and their spouses (allowed hazing at their home)

The same applies to Morgan County cases. We pursue every responsible party to maximize compensation.

3. You Can Recover Compensation for Medical Bills, Trauma, and More

Hazing victims and their families can recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or can’t work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct — like waterboarding)
• Wrongful death (if hazing led to a fatality)

In recent hazing cases, families have recovered:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Louisiana State University)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State University)

Morgan County families deserve the same justice.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Morgan County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Go to the emergency room — even if injuries seem minor.
• Document everything — bruises, cuts, exhaustion, vomiting, confusion.
• Ask for a full medical report — this creates a record of injuries.

Why it matters: Insurance companies and fraternities will claim your child wasn’t really hurt if you delay treatment.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing.
• Save all communications — texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails, social media posts.
• Write down everything — dates, times, what happened, who was involved.
• Get witness names — other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened.

Why it matters: Evidence disappears quickly. The fraternity may delete messages, hide videos, or destroy records.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

• Do not give statements to Greek life leaders, university administrators, or insurance companies.
• Do not sign anything — you may be waiving your rights.
• Do not post on social media — anything you say can be used against you.

Why it matters: They will try to control the narrative, minimize the incident, and pressure you into accepting blame.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We offer:

• Free consultation — no cost to discuss your case
• Contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we win
• Nationwide representation — we can help Morgan County families no matter where the hazing occurred
• Immediate action — we preserve evidence, file claims, and protect your rights

We will:

• Investigate the hazing incident
• Identify all responsible parties
• Preserve critical evidence
• Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• Fight for maximum compensation

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Morgan County?

1. The Local Fraternity or Sorority Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.) can be held personally liable
• Individual members who participated can be sued

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter
• Knew or should have known about hazing risks (many have prior incidents)
• Have deep pockets — millions in assets and insurance

Example: Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017. They did nothing to prevent Leonel Bermudez from being hospitalized in 2025.

3. The University or College

• Premises liability — if hazing occurred on university property
• Negligent supervision — if they failed to monitor Greek life
• Institutional knowledge — if they knew hazing was happening and did nothing

Example: University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured.

4. Individual Members and Leaders

• Each person who participated in hazing can be sued personally
• Chapter officers face higher liability for leadership roles
• Criminal charges may also apply (Ohio hazing is a felony in some cases)

5. Alumni and Hosts

• Former members who allowed hazing at their homes
• Spouses who permitted hazing on their property
• Homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage

⏳ Time Is Critical — Ohio’s Statute of Limitations

Ohio law gives you only 2 years to file a lawsuit after hazing occurs.

• Personal injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.

🎯 Why Morgan County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston.
• We know how to build these cases and hold institutions accountable.
• Morgan County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
• We know exactly how they defend hazing cases — and how to dismantle their strategies.
• We’ve seen their playbook. Now we use it against them.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Morgan County Families

• Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Morgan County.
• Federal court authority — we can pursue cases across state lines.
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York.
• We travel to Morgan County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

4. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• No hourly fees, no retainers.
• We take the risk so you can fight back.

5. Bilingual Support — Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We speak Spanish and can serve Morgan County’s Hispanic families.

6. Proven Track Record of Results

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — multi-billion dollar mass tort experience
• Ryan Mitchell Smith case — high-profile criminal defense with media coverage
• Hundreds of personal injury cases — multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts

📢 What Morgan County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

• Waterboarding, forced drinking, extreme exercise, paddling — these are not traditions.
• They are assault, battery, and torture.
• Universities and fraternities use “tradition” as an excuse to avoid accountability.

2. Hazing Happens at Universities Near Morgan County

While we can’t name specific incidents without verified information, we know that:

• National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters at universities near Morgan County.
• Hazing cultures exist at many Greek organizations.
• Universities often fail to act until someone gets hurt.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Morgan County, they face the same risks we’re fighting in Houston.

3. Universities Know — And They Do Nothing

• In Houston, University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 — and did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
• Many universities prioritize reputation over safety.
• They suspend chapters quietly after incidents, then allow them to return.

They will not protect your child unless you force them to.

4. Fraternities and Sororities Have Deep Pockets

• National organizations have millions in assets and insurance.
• Universities have substantial endowments.
• They can afford to pay — and they will, if you have the right legal team.

💡 Common Questions from Morgan County Families

Q: My child doesn’t want to sue because they’re afraid of retaliation. What can we do?

A: Retaliation is illegal. Greek organizations cannot punish members for reporting hazing. We can:

• Send cease-and-desist letters to stop intimidation
• File restraining orders if necessary
• Pursue additional claims for retaliation

Our client in Houston is afraid of retribution — and we’re protecting him.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Can they still be held liable?

A: Yes. Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child signed something or said “yes,” hazing is still illegal.

Q: We’re not sure if what happened qualifies as hazing. How do we know?

A: Ohio law defines hazing broadly. It includes:

• Physical brutality (paddling, beating, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Sleep deprivation
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats)
• Any activity that creates an unreasonable risk of harm

If your child was pressured, threatened, or coerced into dangerous or degrading activities — it’s likely hazing.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: You can still sue. Hazing is illegal on or off campus. We can pursue:

• The local chapter (organized the hazing)
• The national organization (failed to prevent it)
• Individual members (participated)
• Hosts (allowed it at their home)

Q: How much is a hazing case worth?

A: It depends on the severity of the injuries and the egregiousness of the conduct. Recent hazing cases have settled for:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Louisiana State University)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State University)

Factors that increase value:

• Hospitalization or medical treatment
• Long-term health consequences
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Wrongful death
• University or national organization involvement
• Prior hazing incidents at the same chapter

Q: What if my child was drinking? Will that hurt our case?

A: No. Forced consumption of alcohol is a common hazing tactic. Even if your child drank voluntarily, the fraternity and university can still be liable for:

• Failing to prevent underage drinking
• Failing to monitor dangerous activities
• Failing to provide medical help when needed

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

A: Yes. Psychological trauma from hazing can be just as damaging as physical injuries. You can recover compensation for:

• PTSD
• Anxiety and depression
• Therapy and counseling
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Q: What if the hazing happened at a different university — not in Morgan County?

A: We can still help. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.

📞 Morgan County Families: Call Attorney 911 Today

If your child was hazed at a college or university near Morgan County — you have legal rights. We are ready to fight for you.

🚨 Free Consultation — 24/7

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

What to Expect When You Call:

1. Speak directly with an attorney — not a paralegal or intake specialist.
2. Free case evaluation — we’ll review the facts and explain your options.
3. No pressure — we’ll answer your questions honestly.
4. Immediate action plan — we’ll start preserving evidence right away.

We Will:

• Investigate the hazing incident thoroughly
• Identify all responsible parties
• Preserve critical evidence
• Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• Fight for maximum compensation
• Protect your child from retaliation

🏆 Our Promise to Morgan County Families

“We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. We will fight for Morgan County families with the same passion and determination we’re bringing to our Houston case. Hazing is abuse. It’s time to hold these institutions accountable.”
— Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

A: Every case is different, but most hazing cases take 1-3 years to resolve. Complex cases with multiple defendants may take longer.

Q: Will my child have to testify?

A: Many cases settle before trial, so your child may not have to testify. If the case goes to trial, we will prepare them thoroughly and support them every step of the way.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened last year?

A: Ohio’s statute of limitations is 2 years. If the hazing occurred within the last 2 years, you may still have time to file a lawsuit. Call us immediately to confirm.

Q: What if the fraternity has already suspended the chapter?

A: That doesn’t protect them from liability. In fact, it shows they knew something was wrong. We can still pursue compensation from the national organization, university, and individuals.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never pay out of pocket.

🚨 Warning Signs of Hazing for Morgan County Parents

Hazing often starts with small, seemingly “harmless” activities that escalate into abuse. Watch for these red flags:

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about activities
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Increased fatigue or exhaustion
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
• Avoiding questions about the organization

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
• Weight loss or signs of poor nutrition
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion
• Alcohol poisoning symptoms (vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness)

Academic Impact:

• Declining grades
• Missing classes
• Falling behind on assignments
• Dropping out of extracurricular activities

Financial Signs:

• Unexplained expenses (buying items for the fraternity/sorority)
• Requests for money without explanation
• Missing personal items (given to the organization)

Social Media Clues:

• Posts about “traditions” or “rites of passage”
• Photos or videos of pledges in unusual or degrading situations
• Group chats with secret codes or inside jokes
• Sudden deletion of posts or accounts

If you notice these signs, talk to your child immediately — and call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

📜 Ohio Hazing Law — Know Your Rights

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Hazing

(A) No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another.

(B) No administrator, employee, faculty member, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer of any organization, including any primary, secondary, or post-secondary school or any other educational institution, public or private, shall recklessly permit the hazing of any person.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of hazing, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(D) If the violation results in physical harm to any person, hazing is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(E) If the violation results in serious physical harm to any person, hazing is a felony of the fifth degree.

Key Points for Morgan County Families:

1. Hazing is illegal in Ohio — even if the victim “consented.”
2. Universities and organizations can be held criminally liable for permitting hazing.
3. Physical harm increases the severity of criminal charges.
4. Felony charges apply if hazing causes serious physical harm.

🏛️ Universities Near Morgan County with Greek Life

While we cannot comment on specific hazing incidents at these institutions without verified information, we know that many universities near Morgan County have active Greek life programs. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these institutions, they could be at risk of hazing.

Common national fraternities and sororities with chapters near Morgan County include:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Beta Theta Pi
• Sigma Chi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Delta Tau Delta
• Kappa Sigma
• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Zeta Phi Beta
• Sigma Gamma Rho

Universities near Morgan County with Greek life include (but are not limited to):

• Ohio University (Athens)
• Ohio State University (Columbus)
• University of Cincinnati
• Miami University (Oxford)
• Kent State University
• Bowling Green State University
• University of Akron
• Ohio Dominican University (Columbus)
• Capital University (Columbus)
• Denison University (Granville)
• Kenyon College (Gambier)
• Otterbein University (Westerville)

Morgan County families: If your child is pledging at any of these schools, be vigilant. Hazing can happen anywhere.

🔍 How to Spot Hazing at Universities Near Morgan County

Common Hazing Activities:

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk to your child — ask open-ended questions about their experiences.
2. Document everything — save texts, photos, videos, and witness information.
3. Report to the university — but do not do this without consulting an attorney first.
4. Contact Attorney 911 — we can guide you on how to protect your child and preserve evidence.

Do not confront the fraternity or sorority directly. They may destroy evidence or intimidate your child.

📢 A Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Morgan County

To the chapters of Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and all other Greek organizations near Morgan County:

We are watching. We are building cases. We are coming for every chapter that hazes.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. The same national organizations that paid millions are overseeing your activities. The