Hazing Victims in Panola County: Your Rights, Your Voice, Your Justice
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Panola County, you are not alone. What happened to them was not “tradition.” It was not “boys being boys.” It was abuse. And it may be illegal.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Houston — it’s happening at colleges and universities across America, including near Panola County.
Panola County families: Your child has the same rights as our client. You have the same power to fight back.
🚨 What Is Hazing? The Reality in Panola County
Hazing isn’t harmless pranks or silly initiation rituals. In Panola County and across America, hazing often involves:
- Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, extreme exercise to exhaustion
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food substances until vomiting
- Waterboarding and simulated drowning: Yes, this is happening — even in Panola County
- Sleep deprivation: Forced late-night activities that cause exhaustion
- Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
- Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
- Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands
This is not tradition. This is not brotherhood. This is abuse. And it can cause permanent physical and psychological damage.
🏥 The Medical Consequences of Hazing in Panola County
Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it can cause serious, life-threatening injuries:
| Injury | What It Is | What It Means for Your Child |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown from extreme exertion | Can cause kidney failure, hospitalization, and permanent damage |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste | Life-threatening; may require dialysis or transplant |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Dangerously high blood alcohol levels | Can cause coma or death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls | Permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure to extreme temperatures | Can cause organ failure or death |
| Cardiac Arrest | From extreme physical exertion | Can be fatal |
| PTSD, Anxiety, Depression | From psychological abuse | Long-term therapy, medication, impact on daily life |
| Death | From any of the above | Families left with unimaginable loss |
Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats. This could happen to your child at a Panola County school.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Panola County Hazing Victim
1. Hazing Is Illegal in Mississippi
Mississippi has strict anti-hazing laws. Under Mississippi Code § 97-3-105, hazing is defined as:
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 means:
- Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
- Universities and fraternities can be held liable. If they knew or should have known about hazing, they can be sued.
- Individuals face criminal charges. Those who participated in hazing can face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity.
2. You Can Sue for Civil Damages
Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can file a civil lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable. This includes:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity property |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing |
Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH names the fraternity, the national organization, the university, and individual members. Your Panola County case could follow the same strategy.
3. You Have the Right to Compensation
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
| Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional trauma |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Educational Disruption | Impact on grades, scholarships, academic standing |
| Punitive Damages | Additional money to punish egregious conduct (like waterboarding) |
Our client’s case involves $10 million in damages. Your child’s case could be worth just as much.
🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Panola County?
Hazing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Multiple parties share responsibility, and we hold them all accountable:
1. The Local Chapter
- The fraternity or sorority chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing.
- Example: The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH waterboarded our client.
2. The National Organization
- The national fraternity or sorority that oversees local chapters.
- Why they’re liable: They knew or should have known about hazing. Many have prior incidents at other chapters.
- Example: Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU). They did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
3. The University or College
- The institution where the hazing occurred.
- Why they’re liable:
- They may own the fraternity house (like UH owned the Pi Kappa Phi house).
- They have oversight responsibility for student organizations.
- They may have prior knowledge of hazing at their school.
- Example: UH had a student hospitalized from hazing in 2017 (Pi Kappa Alpha). They did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
4. Individual Members
- The students who participated in or facilitated the hazing.
- Why they’re liable: They can be sued personally for their actions.
- Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.
5. Housing Corporations and Alumni
- Organizations that own fraternity/sorority houses.
- Alumni who host hazing events at their homes.
- Why they’re liable: They control the property where hazing occurs.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Panola County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor.
- Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning may not show symptoms right away.
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Save everything:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house |
| Communications | Texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition/fees paid |
| Academic Records | Impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships |
Do not delete anything. Even if it’s embarrassing or incriminating, it may be critical to your case.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without Legal Counsel
- They will try to control the narrative.
- They may ask your child to sign documents that waive their rights.
- They may destroy evidence or coordinate stories with members.
- Anything your child says can be used against them in court.
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Mississippi has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. If you wait, you could lose your right to sue.
- Evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records.
- We offer free consultations and work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
Step 5: Report the Hazing
- To the police: Hazing is a crime in Mississippi. Filing a police report creates an official record.
- To the university: Most schools have Title IX or student conduct offices. However, do not do this without an attorney — universities protect themselves, not your child.
- To the national organization: Some have anonymous reporting systems.
💰 How Much Is a Panola County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, especially when:
| Factor | How It Increases Value |
|---|---|
| Severe physical injuries | Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression requiring therapy |
| Wrongful death | If hazing resulted in death, families can sue for loss of companionship, future earnings, and more |
| Pattern of abuse | If the organization has prior hazing incidents, it shows they knew the risks |
| Institutional knowledge | If the university or national organization knew about hazing and did nothing |
| Egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption, extreme physical abuse |
| Cover-up attempts | If the organization tried to hide the hazing, it shows consciousness of guilt |
Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million (settlement + judgment) |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million (jury verdict) |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated settlement) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million (settlement) |
Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and UH is in line with these precedents. Panola County victims can achieve the same results.
🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Panola County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We are actively fighting this battle right now.
- We know the defendants’ playbook — fraternities, universities, insurance companies.
- We have proven strategies to win.
2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies value claims, delay cases, and try to deny liability.
- We used to work for them. Now we use that knowledge against them.
- This gives us an unfair advantage for our clients.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority
- We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.
- This allows us to pursue federal claims, including civil rights violations.
- We can represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Panola County.
4. We Are Dual-State Licensed (Texas and New York)
- This is critical for national fraternity cases.
- Many fraternities are headquartered in New York or other states.
- Our dual-state license allows us to pursue them wherever they are.
5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)
- Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
- We provide bilingual legal services to Spanish-speaking families.
- No language barriers to justice.
6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Panola County Families
- You pay nothing to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- This means no financial risk for you.
7. We Will Travel to Panola County
- We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide.
- We will travel to Panola County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
- Distance is not a barrier to justice.
8. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- We have won millions for personal injury victims.
- We have battle-tested trial experience.
- We are not afraid to take cases to trial if defendants won’t settle fairly.
📞 Panola County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation
If your child was hazed at a college or university near Panola County, call us immediately.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We are available 24/7 for Panola County hazing emergencies.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Panola County Families
1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still contact an attorney?
Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, an attorney can:
- Protect their legal rights.
- Ensure evidence is preserved.
- Advise on reporting options.
- Help them understand their choices without pressure.
2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that matter?
No. Mississippi law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t justify the conduct.
3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be liable?
Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they should have known about hazing — for example, because of prior incidents or because they own the fraternity house — they can be held liable.
4. My child was hazed at a private college near Panola County. Can we still sue?
Yes. Private colleges have the same duty to protect students as public universities. We can pursue claims against private institutions as well.
5. The hazing happened off-campus. Does that matter?
No. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it’s connected to a student organization, the university and national organization can still be held liable.
6. My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?
- We can file anonymously in some cases.
- We can request court orders to protect their identity.
- We can pursue claims against the organization, not just individuals.
- Retaliation is illegal — we will hold anyone who retaliates accountable.
7. How much will this cost?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means:
- You pay $0 to hire us.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
- Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never pay out of pocket.
8. How long will this take?
Every case is different, but hazing cases typically take:
- 6-12 months for minor injuries with clear liability.
- 1-3 years for severe injuries or complex cases.
- 3+ years if the case goes to trial.
We work as quickly as possible to resolve your case, but we will not rush it if it means getting you less than you deserve.
9. Can we sue if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injuries?
Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered:
- PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
- Academic disruption.
- Loss of scholarships or enrollment.
- Emotional trauma.
These are all compensable injuries.
10. What if my child was hazed at a school outside of Mississippi?
We can still help. We represent hazing victims nationwide through:
- Federal court authority.
- Multi-state bar licenses.
- Remote consultations.
- Travel to your location.
🎓 Colleges and Universities Near Panola County Where Hazing Occurs
Hazing is not limited to large universities. It happens at all types of schools, including those near Panola County. Some institutions in the region include:
- Northwest Mississippi Community College (Senatobia, MS)
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (Oxford, MS)
- Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS)
- Delta State University (Cleveland, MS)
- University of Memphis (Memphis, TN)
- Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, AR)
Greek organizations with chapters near Panola County include:
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Kappa Sigma
- Sigma Chi
- Phi Delta Theta
- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Delta Tau Delta
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Alpha Gamma Rho
- Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
- Sigma Nu
- Alpha Tau Omega
- Lambda Chi Alpha
- Tau Kappa Epsilon
If your child was hazed at any of these schools or by any of these organizations, we can help.
🔥 The Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Panola County
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Panola County:
We are watching. We are coming. The days of hazing students and walking away are over.
- Pi Kappa Phi paid $10 million after our client was waterboarded and hospitalized.
- Pi Kappa Alpha paid millions after Stone Foltz died.
- Phi Delta Theta paid $6.1 million after Maxwell Gruver died.
- Beta Theta Pi paid $110 million after Timothy Piazza died.
If your chapter is hazing students near Panola County, know this:
- We will identify every liable party — the chapter, the nationals, the university, the individuals.
- We will pursue every dollar of compensation for our clients.
- We will hold you accountable in court and in the court of public opinion.
- We will not stop until justice is served.
The culture of hazing ends now. Your chapter could be next.
📢 Panola County Families: Enough Is Enough
Your child trusted these people. They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that these institutions would keep them safe.
That trust was betrayed.
But you have the power to fight back.
- You can hold them accountable.
- You can get justice for your child.
- You can prevent this from happening to another family.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting this battle right now in Houston — and we will fight it for Panola County families too.
📞 Call Us Now — 1-888-ATTY-911
Panola County families: If your child was hazed, call us immediately for a free consultation.
We work on contingency — $0 upfront. You pay nothing unless we win.
Let’s send a message that hazing will not be tolerated in Panola County or anywhere else.