π¨ Hazing Lawyer in Oregon: Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable
Serving Oregon families from our offices in Houston, Austin & Beaumont β Nationwide representation for hazing victims
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Oregon, you have legal rights. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit and can help Oregon families seek justice.
π 24/7 Hazing Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
π§ Email: ralph@atty911.com
π Website: attorney911.com
Why Oregon Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical β we’re in the fight today, and we bring that same aggressive representation to Oregon families.
2. Nationwide Experience β Oregon Included
While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Oregon. We have:
- Federal court authority β U.S. District Court admission
- Dual-state bar licenses β Texas AND New York
- Willingness to travel β We come to Oregon for depositions and trials
- Video consultation technology β Oregon families can meet with us remotely
3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know exactly how they think, strategize, and try to deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize recovery for Oregon families.
4. $0 Upfront Cost β Contingency Fee Representation
We understand that Oregon families may be concerned about the cost of fighting powerful institutions. We take hazing cases on contingency β you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
5. Bilingual Services β Se Habla EspaΓ±ol
Our staff is bilingual. If your family speaks Spanish, we can communicate in your preferred language β no language barriers to justice.
6. Proven Results in High-Stakes Cases
- $10 million hazing lawsuit currently pending (Houston)
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury and wrongful death cases
- BP Texas City explosion litigation β mass tort experience
- Former insurance defense attorneys β know the other side’s playbook
The Hazing Crisis in Oregon β What Families Need to Know
Hazing Happens at Oregon Universities Too
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide have chapters at Oregon colleges and universities, including:
- University of Oregon (Eugene)
- Oregon State University (Corvallis)
- Portland State University
- Willamette University (Salem)
- Lewis & Clark College (Portland)
- Reed College (Portland)
- Southern Oregon University (Ashland)
- Pacific University (Forest Grove)
- University of Portland
- Western Oregon University (Monmouth)
The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Oregon fraternities and sororities.
What Oregon Parents Should Watch For
Hazing in Oregon often includes:
| Category | Examples | Warning Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, excessive exercise | Unexplained bruises, limping, difficulty walking |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol, food, non-food substances | Vomiting, blackouts, alcohol poisoning |
| Sleep Deprivation | Late-night activities, forced driving | Exhaustion, falling asleep in class, irritability |
| Psychological Abuse | Humiliation, degradation, threats | Anxiety, depression, withdrawal from friends/family |
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning (as seen in our Houston case) | Coughing, difficulty breathing, fear of water |
| Sexual Humiliation | Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects | Shame, embarrassment, avoidance of social situations |
| Extreme Physical Punishment | 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls | Muscle pain, dark urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis) |
If your child shows any of these warning signs, they may be a hazing victim.
What Oregon Families Can Do If Hazing Is Suspected
Step 1: Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the situation immediately β hazing often escalates
- Seek medical attention β even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can be life-threatening
- Document everything β take photos of injuries, save text messages, preserve social media posts
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. Preserve the following:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, doctor’s notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing |
| Communications | Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition/fees paid |
| Academic Records | Impact on grades, enrollment status, scholarships |
DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the organization
- Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Contact an Oregon Hazing Lawyer Immediately
Hazing cases have strict deadlines β in Oregon, the statute of limitations is typically 2 years from the date of injury. Evidence disappears quickly, and organizations will try to cover up their actions.
Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We can:
- Advise you on evidence preservation
- Guide you through reporting to authorities
- Handle all communications with the organization and their lawyers
- Begin building your case immediately
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Oregon?
Hazing is not just the fault of individual students β institutions share responsibility. In Oregon, we pursue compensation from:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Examples in Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Alpha at UO, Sigma Chi at OSU |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise chapter; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National, Sigma Chi National |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing despite oversight authority | University of Oregon, Oregon State University |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | Chapter president, pledgemaster |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing activities | Active members who hazed pledges |
| Former Members | Allowed hazing at their residence | Alumni who hosted hazing events |
| Housing Corporations | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Fraternity/sorority house corporations |
Oregon Families: The same legal theories apply in Oregon as in Texas. We can pursue these defendants for Oregon hazing victims.
What Oregon Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing victims in Oregon may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills β hospital stays, ER visits, rehabilitation, therapy
- Future medical expenses β ongoing treatment, potential dialysis or transplant
- Lost wages β time missed from work during recovery
- Educational losses β tuition for disrupted semesters, lost scholarships
- Property damage β if personal items were destroyed during hazing
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering β pain from injuries, medical treatments
- Mental anguish β trauma from abuse, fear of retribution
- Emotional distress β anxiety, depression, PTSD
- Humiliation and shame β from degrading hazing activities
- Loss of enjoyment of life β impact on college experience, social life
Punitive Damages:
In cases of egregious conduct (like waterboarding or forced alcohol consumption), Oregon courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.
Oregon Hazing Laws β Your Legal Rights
Oregon’s Anti-Hazing Statute (ORS 163.197)
Oregon law defines hazing as:
“Any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any student organization.”
Key Provisions:
- Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor β punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $6,250 in fines
- Consent is not a defense β even if the victim agreed to participate, it’s still illegal
- Organizations can be held liable β fraternities, sororities, and other student groups
- Universities have a duty to report β failure to report hazing is a violation
Civil Liability for Hazing in Oregon
In addition to criminal charges, Oregon victims can file civil lawsuits against:
- The individuals who hazed them
- The local chapter
- The national organization
- The university (if they knew or should have known about hazing)
Oregon’s comparative negligence rule means that even if the victim shared some fault, they can still recover damages if the organization was 51% or more at fault.
Precedent Cases β Hazing Victims Win Millions
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These same results are possible for Oregon victims:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ million |
Oregon Families: These cases show that hazing victims can and do win big. The same legal strategies apply to Oregon cases.
Our Current Case: What Happened to Leonel Bermudez
We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized after hazing at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. While this case is in Texas, the same hazing happens at Oregon universities.
What Happened:
- September 16, 2025: Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi as a “ghost rush” (not yet enrolled at UH)
- September-November 2025: Weeks of systematic hazing, including:
- 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 continue running
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing activities
- November 3, 2025: Bermudez was punished with extreme exercise until he couldn’t stand
- November 6, 2025: Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure β spent 4 days in the hospital
Why This Matters to Oregon Families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at Oregon universities, including the University of Oregon
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized Bermudez happen in Oregon
- Universities in Oregon face the same liability failures as UH
- We will fight for Oregon families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case
What Sets Us Apart for Oregon Hazing Cases
1. We Know How to Fight National Fraternities
National fraternities and sororities have:
- Teams of lawyers
- Insurance companies
- Public relations firms
- Deep pockets
We know how to take them on. We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million, and we will bring that same expertise to Oregon cases.
2. We Understand Greek Life Culture
Our attorneys understand the dynamics of Greek life, including:
- The power imbalance between pledges and members
- The pressure to “fit in” and “prove yourself”
- The fear of retaliation for speaking out
- The institutional failures that allow hazing to continue
3. We Have Medical Expertise
Hazing causes serious medical injuries, including:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) β as seen in our Houston case
- Alcohol poisoning β from forced drinking
- Traumatic brain injuries β from beatings or falls
- Psychological trauma β PTSD, anxiety, depression
We work with medical experts to document these injuries and calculate long-term damages.
4. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial
Many personal injury lawyers settle cases quickly to avoid the courtroom. We are trial attorneys. We are not afraid to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get justice for your Oregon family.
5. We Travel to Oregon
While we are based in Texas, we serve Oregon families through:
- Video consultations β meet with us remotely
- Travel for depositions and trials β we come to Oregon when needed
- Federal court representation β we can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
Oregon Universities with Greek Life β Where Hazing Can Happen
The following Oregon universities have active Greek life organizations where hazing may occur:
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Fraternities with Hazing Histories |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oregon | Eugene, OR | Strong Greek life presence | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others |
| Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR | Active Greek community | Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, others |
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | Smaller Greek presence | Various local and national chapters |
| Willamette University | Salem, OR | Greek organizations present | Local and national chapters |
| Lewis & Clark College | Portland, OR | Greek life available | Local and national chapters |
| Reed College | Portland, OR | Limited Greek life | Local organizations |
| Southern Oregon University | Ashland, OR | Greek organizations present | Local and national chapters |
| Pacific University | Forest Grove, OR | Greek life available | Local and national chapters |
| University of Portland | Portland, OR | Active Greek community | Local and national chapters |
| Western Oregon University | Monmouth, OR | Greek organizations present | Local and national chapters |
Oregon Families: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these schools, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
Warning to Oregon Fraternities and Sororities
To the fraternities and sororities operating in Oregon:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Oregon, we will pursue every liable entity β the chapter, the national organization, the university, and the individuals involved.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and all others β if your chapter operates in Oregon, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Universities in Oregon: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions for Oregon Families
1. My child was hazed in Oregon β can you help us even though you’re in Texas?
Yes. While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Oregon. We have federal court authority and are willing to travel to Oregon for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
2. How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer in Oregon?
Nothing upfront. We take hazing cases on contingency β you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never have to worry about legal bills while pursuing justice.
3. What is the statute of limitations for hazing in Oregon?
Oregon has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including hazing. This means you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Do not wait β evidence disappears, and your rights expire.
4. Can we sue the university in Oregon for hazing?
Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from hazing. If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable. In our current case, the University of Houston is a defendant because they owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred.
5. What if my child consented to the hazing?
Consent is not a defense in Oregon. Oregon law (ORS 163.197) explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
6. What kind of compensation can Oregon hazing victims recover?
Oregon hazing victims may recover:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages (if unable to work)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Punitive damages (in cases of egregious conduct)
- Educational losses (tuition, scholarships)
7. How long does a hazing lawsuit take in Oregon?
Hazing cases can take 1-3 years from filing to resolution, depending on:
- The severity of injuries
- The number of defendants
- Whether the case settles or goes to trial
- The complexity of the evidence
We work efficiently to resolve your case as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.
8. Can we file a criminal report in Oregon?
Yes. Hazing is a crime in Oregon (Class A misdemeanor). You can report hazing to:
- Local law enforcement
- Campus police
- The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (if alcohol was involved)
We can guide you through the criminal reporting process and coordinate with law enforcement.
9. What should we do if the fraternity or university contacts us?
Do not speak to them without legal counsel. Fraternities, sororities, and universities often try to:
- Get victims to sign waivers
- Record statements to use against them
- Offer lowball settlements
Direct all communications to us. Once you hire Attorney 911, we handle all contact with the defendants and their lawyers.
10. My child is afraid to speak out β what should we do?
We understand that hazing victims often fear retaliation or social consequences. We can:
- Protect your child’s identity during the legal process
- Advise on safe ways to document evidence
- Connect you with counseling resources
- Pursue the case aggressively to hold the organization accountable
Oregon Hazing Resources
Reporting Hazing in Oregon:
- Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC): https://www.oregon.gov/olcc (for alcohol-related hazing)
- Local Law Enforcement: Contact your city or county police department
- Campus Police: Report to your university’s public safety office
- Oregon Department of Justice: https://www.doj.state.or.us
Support for Hazing Victims:
- National Hazing Prevention Week: https://hazingprevention.org
- StopHazing: https://www.stophazing.org
- The Jed Foundation (Mental Health): https://jedfoundation.org
- RAINN (Sexual Assault): https://www.rainn.org
Oregon-Specific Resources:
- University of Oregon Hazing Policy: https://dos.uoregon.edu/hazing
- Oregon State University Hazing Policy: https://studentlife.oregonstate.edu/hazing
- Oregon Student Assistance Commission: https://oregonstudentaid.gov
Contact Attorney 911 β Oregon Hazing Lawyers
If your child was hazed in Oregon, you have legal rights. We can help.
π 24/7 Hazing Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
π§ Email: ralph@atty911.com
π Website: attorney911.com
What to Expect When You Call:
- Free, confidential consultation β We listen to your story and explain your options.
- Immediate guidance β We advise on evidence preservation and next steps.
- No pressure β We won’t push you to file a lawsuit; we provide honest advice.
- $0 upfront cost β We work on contingency β you pay nothing unless we win.
We Serve All of Oregon:
- Portland
- Eugene
- Salem
- Corvallis
- Bend
- Medford
- Ashland
- Beaverton
- Hillsboro
- Gresham
- And all other cities and towns in Oregon
Distance is not a barrier. We represent Oregon hazing victims nationwide.
Final Message to Oregon Families
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not “boys being boys” or “girls being girls.”
It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture. And it has no place in Oregon.
If your child was hazed, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now, and we will bring that same fight to Oregon. We will hold the fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable. We will ensure this never happens to another Oregon family.
Call us today. The first step is the hardest, but it’s the first step toward justice.
π 1-888-ATTY-911 β Oregon families deserve justice. We’re here to help.