🚨 Hazing Victims in Ohio County: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice
Ohio County Families: Hazing Is Happening Near You — And It’s Time to Fight Back
You sent your child to college in Ohio County expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university, the fraternity, the system. But behind the Greek letters and campus traditions, a dangerous culture of abuse thrives — one that has sent students to the hospital, destroyed lives, and even killed.
This isn’t happening just in Houston or Florida. It’s happening in Ohio County too.
The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston have chapters near Ohio County. The same universities that ignored hazing warnings are operating near Ohio County. And the same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements continue to fail our children.
But there is hope. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to hold these institutions accountable. And we’re ready to fight for Ohio County families just like we’re fighting in Texas.
The Hazing Crisis in Ohio County: What You Need to Know
Hazing Isn’t “Tradition” — It’s Abuse
Hazing is often dismissed as “boys being boys” or “just part of the process.” But the reality is far darker. Hazing includes:
- Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Psychological torture: Waterboarding, humiliation, sleep deprivation
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or substances until vomiting
- Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
- Life-threatening risks: Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury
In our current case, a student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep running
- Hospitalized for four days with kidney failure
This isn’t happening just in Texas. It’s happening near Ohio County too.
The Fraternities Near Ohio County with Hazing Histories
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters near Ohio County. These include:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Ohio County Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (2017, death), Leonel Bermudez (2025, hospitalization) | Operates near Ohio County |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (2021, death), $10M settlement | Operates near Ohio County |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths, chemical burns cases | Operates near Ohio County |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver (2017, death), $6.1M verdict | Operates near Ohio County |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017, death), $110M settlement | Operates near Ohio County |
If your child is pledging one of these fraternities near Ohio County, they are at risk.
Universities Near Ohio County Are Failing to Protect Students
Universities have a legal duty to protect students from hazing. But too often, they fail. In our current case:
- The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
- They had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 and did nothing to prevent it from happening again
- They knew about the risks and failed to act
The same failures are happening at universities near Ohio County.
Ohio County Families: You Have Legal Rights
If your child has been hazed near Ohio County, you have the right to seek justice. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Hazing Is Illegal in Kentucky
Kentucky has strict anti-hazing laws that make hazing a criminal offense. Under KRS 164.375, hazing is defined as any activity that:
- Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
- Is required for initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization
Penalties for hazing in Kentucky include:
- Class A misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail and $500 fine)
- Class D felony if the hazing results in serious physical injury or death (1-5 years in prison)
Consent is not a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
2. You Can Sue for Civil Damages
In addition to criminal charges, you can file a civil lawsuit to hold the fraternity, university, and individuals accountable. Damages you can pursue include:
| Type of Damage | What It Covers | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or school | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | $1,000,000+ |
Precedent Cases Show You Can Win Big:
- $10.1 million for the family of Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
- $6.1 million jury verdict for Max Gruver’s family (Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
- $110 million+ settlement for Timothy Piazza’s family (Beta Theta Pi, 2017)
3. Who Can Be Held Liable?
Hazing cases involve multiple defendants, all of whom can be held accountable:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, knew about hazing risks |
| University | Failed to protect students, knew about prior incidents |
| Individual Members | Participated in or directed hazing activities |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
In our current case, we’re suing:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- The UH chapter
- The university
- The housing corporation
- Individual members, including the chapter president and pledgemaster
What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Ohio County
If your child has been hazed near Ohio County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and legal deadlines approach. Here’s what you should do immediately:
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
- Even if your child seems “fine,” get them checked by a doctor
- Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening
- Medical records are critical evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of injuries, the hazing location, and any physical evidence
- Save all communications (texts, emails, social media messages, GroupMe chats)
- Write down everything your child remembers (who was involved, what happened, when)
- Get contact information for any witnesses
Do NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to the fraternity or university without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Contact an Attorney Immediately
Hazing cases are complex, and the defendants will have teams of lawyers fighting to minimize your claim. You need an experienced hazing attorney on your side.
At Attorney 911, we offer:
- Free consultations for Ohio County families
- Contingency fee representation — you pay nothing unless we win
- Nationwide reach — we can represent you no matter where the hazing occurred
- Aggressive litigation — we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing case
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Ohio County Hazing Case?
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now, and we’re ready to bring the same aggression to Ohio County cases.
2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Defendants
Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how the other side thinks, and we know how to dismantle their defenses.
3. We Have a Proven Track Record
- $10 million+ in hazing-related settlements and verdicts
- Multi-million dollar personal injury recoveries
- 25+ years of litigation experience
- Federal court authority — we can pursue cases nationwide
4. We Care About Ohio County Families
We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the trauma hazing causes, and we’re committed to fighting for justice.
5. We Make It Easy for Ohio County Families
- Free consultations — no upfront cost
- Contingency fees — you pay nothing unless we win
- Video consultations — no need to travel
- We come to you — for depositions, meetings, and trials
The Message to Fraternities Near Ohio County: We Are Watching
To the fraternities operating near Ohio County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. And if you haze students near Ohio County, we will find every liable entity.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Ohio County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America. We’ve shut down chapters. We’ve won multi-million dollar verdicts. And we will do it again.
To the universities near Ohio County:
The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now, or face the same accountability.
Ohio County Families: It’s Time to Take a Stand
Hazing has gone on for too long. Too many students have been hurt. Too many families have suffered. Enough is enough.
If your child has been hazed near Ohio County, you don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept “tradition” as an excuse. And you don’t have to fight alone.
Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
We’re ready to fight for you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Serving Ohio County and nationwide. Free consultation. No upfront cost.
