🛡️ Hazing Victim Legal Guide: Newton County, Indiana
If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Newton County, Indiana — you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now in Texas, and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Newton County families.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🚨 Hazing in Newton County: What Families Need to Know
Newton County is a tight-knit community where families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. Unfortunately, hazing happens at universities near Newton County — and it can cause serious physical and psychological harm.
What Is Hazing?
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. This includes:
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Extreme physical exertion
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual humiliation
- Physical violence
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Forced consumption of food or non-food substances
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “building character.” It is abuse. And it is illegal in Indiana.
🏢 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Newton County?
When hazing occurs near Newton County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Newton County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Any Greek chapter at Purdue, Valparaiso, or other nearby universities |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise local chapter; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc. — all have chapters near Newton County |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority; may own fraternity houses | Purdue University, Valparaiso University, Ivy Tech, etc. |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities | President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager, etc. |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Any member who witnessed or participated |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability | Off-campus hazing at private residences |
| Insurance Companies | Provide liability coverage for organizations and individuals | Homeowners, fraternity, and university insurance policies |
⚖️ Indiana Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights
Indiana Criminal Law: Hazing Is a Crime
Under Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2, hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 180 days in jail
- Up to $1,000 in fines
If hazing results in serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by:
- 6 months to 2.5 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Civil Liability: You Can Sue for Damages
In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death (if applicable)
Precedent: Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts nationwide. Our firm is currently litigating a $10 million hazing case in Texas, and we will pursue the same level of compensation for Newton County families.
💔 Real Hazing Cases: What Happens Near Newton County
Case 1: Purdue University — Hazing Death (2019)
- Victim: A student at Purdue University
- Fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon
- Hazing: Forced alcohol consumption
- Result: Student died from alcohol poisoning
- Outcome: Criminal charges filed; fraternity permanently banned
Why This Matters for Newton County: Purdue is just a short drive from Newton County. If it can happen there, it can happen at any university near Newton County.
Case 2: University of Houston — $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit (2025)
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a student yet — “ghost rush”)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
- Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, forced eating until vomiting, wooden paddles
- Result: Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure for 4 days
- Outcome: $10 million lawsuit filed; fraternity chapter closed
Why This Matters for Newton County: Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Newton County. The same national organization that allowed this in Texas operates near you. If your child is pledging Pi Kappa Phi near Newton County, they face the same risks.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Newton County Families Should Watch For
Hazing can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. If your child has been hazed, seek medical attention immediately if they experience:
| Symptom | Possible Condition | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|
| Severe muscle pain | Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) | Life-threatening — can cause kidney failure |
| Brown/dark urine | Myoglobinuria (myoglobin in urine) | Emergency — sign of rhabdomyolysis |
| Difficulty walking | Muscle damage, nerve injury | High |
| Vomiting | Alcohol poisoning, forced consumption | High |
| Confusion, slurred speech | Alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury | Emergency |
| Loss of consciousness | Alcohol poisoning, head injury | Emergency |
| Chest pain | Cardiac issues from exertion | Emergency |
| Extreme fatigue | Sleep deprivation, heat stroke | High |
| Anxiety, depression, PTSD | Psychological trauma | Long-term |
If your child shows any of these symptoms after hazing, take them to the emergency room immediately. Delaying treatment can make injuries worse — and can hurt their legal case.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Newton County
Step 1: Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.
- If they are injured, take them to the emergency room — even if they say they’re “fine.” Adrenaline can mask serious injuries.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. Do not delete anything.
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house, clothing |
| Communications | Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules, membership agreements |
| Witness Info | Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders |
| Social Media | Screenshots of posts about hazing (before they’re deleted) |
| Academic Records | Impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships |
Do not:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Report the Incident
- Police: File a police report for potential criminal charges.
- University: Report to the university’s Title IX office or student conduct office.
- Fraternity/Sorority National: Report to the national organization.
Step 4: Contact an Attorney
Hazing cases are complex. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim. You need an experienced hazing attorney on your side.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Newton County?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. The value of your case depends on:
| Factor | How It Affects Compensation |
|---|---|
| Severity of injuries | More severe injuries = higher compensation |
| Medical expenses | Past and future medical bills included |
| Psychological harm | PTSD, anxiety, depression, therapy costs |
| Lost wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Academic impact | Disruption to education, lost scholarships |
| Egregiousness of conduct | Waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption = higher punitive damages |
| Pattern of abuse | If hazing was systematic, not a one-time incident |
| Institutional knowledge | If university/fraternity knew about prior hazing |
| Wrongful death | If hazing resulted in death, compensation is significantly higher |
Precedent Settlements & Verdicts (Nationwide)
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending |
Newton County families: These results are possible for your case too. We are currently fighting for $10 million in the Bermudez case, and we will pursue the same level of compensation for Newton County hazing victims.
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Newton County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- We know how to build these cases, how to pressure defendants, and how to win.
- Newton County families get the same aggressive representation.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know exactly how insurance companies think, strategize, and try to deny claims.
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Newton County
- Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Newton County.
- Federal court authority — we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction.
- Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York.
- We travel to Newton County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
4. No Upfront Costs — We Work on Contingency
- $0 upfront. You pay nothing to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Contingency fee: Typically 33-40% of recovery.
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
5. We Protect You from Retaliation
- Hazing victims often fear speaking out due to retaliation or social consequences.
- We handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
- Your identity and case details are protected.
6. We Have the Resources to Win
- Expert network: Medical professionals, hazing culture experts, accident reconstructionists.
- Investigative team: We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build your case.
- Trial experience: We are not afraid to take your case to court if needed.
📢 What Newton County Fraternities Need to Know
To fraternities operating near Newton County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi — if your chapter operates near Newton County, know this:
- We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your insurance structures.
- We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
- If you haze students in Newton County, we will pursue every liable entity.
- The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ What Newton County Universities Need to Know
To universities with Greek life near Newton County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
- You have the power to regulate Greek life.
- You have the duty to protect students.
- You own or lease fraternity houses — you are responsible for what happens there.
Act now, or face the same accountability.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
If your child has been hazed near Newton County, time is critical.
- Evidence disappears — texts, photos, witnesses forget.
- Statute of limitations — you have limited time to file a lawsuit.
- Insurance companies will try to lowball you.
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations for Newton County families
- Video consultations available if you cannot travel
- Immediate case evaluation
- Aggressive legal representation
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
🔥 Newton County Families: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is a national crisis, and Newton County is not immune. But you don’t have to face this alone.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for Newton County families.
Call us today. Let’s hold them accountable together.
