Hazing Victim Legal Support for Pike County, Ohio Families

Fraternity & Sorority Hazing in Pike County: Know Your Rights

Pike County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But when Greek organizations engage in hazing, that trust is betrayed. If your child has been injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by fraternity or sorority hazing at a nearby university, you have legal rights—and Attorney 911 is here to fight for you.

While we’re based in Texas, our attorneys have nationwide experience in hazing litigation, including a current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We serve hazing victims across Ohio, including Pike County, and will travel to you to ensure justice is served.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Ohio & Near Pike County

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys”—it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter. In Ohio alone, hazing incidents have led to serious injuries, hospitalizations, and even deaths.

Universities Near Pike County with Greek Life:

While Pike County itself is a rural area, several universities within driving distance have active Greek organizations where hazing may occur:

• Ohio University (Athens, OH) – ~2 hours from Pike County

  • Strong Greek life presence (fraternities & sororities)
  • Past hazing incidents reported

• Miami University (Oxford, OH) – ~2.5 hours from Pike County

  • One of Ohio’s largest Greek systems
  • Hazing violations documented in past years

• University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) – ~2.5 hours from Pike County

  • Multiple fraternities and sororities
  • Past hazing investigations

• The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) – ~1.5 hours from Pike County

  • One of the largest Greek systems in the U.S.
  • Collin’s Law (2021) – Ohio’s anti-hazing law (named after Collin Wiant, who died from hazing at Ohio University) makes hazing a felony in Ohio.

• Marshall University (Huntington, WV) – ~1 hour from Pike County

  • Active Greek life
  • Past hazing incidents

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others—have chapters at these universities. If your child was hazed at any of these schools, we can help.

💔 What Pike County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Ohio

Under Ohio’s Collin’s Law (Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31), hazing is a felony if it causes serious harm. Even “mild” hazing can lead to:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown, kidney failure) – like our client in Houston
• Alcohol poisoning – a leading cause of hazing deaths
• Traumatic brain injuries – from beatings or falls
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression – long-term psychological damage

Ohio law explicitly states:

“No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another.”

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

2. Who Can Be Held Liable?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be sued, including:
✅ The local fraternity/sorority chapter – Directly responsible for hazing activities
✅ National fraternity/sorority organization – Failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies
✅ University/college – Knew or should have known about hazing risks (especially if they own the fraternity house)
✅ Individual members & leaders – Those who planned, participated in, or allowed hazing
✅ Alumni & housing corporations – If hazing occurred at an off-campus property they control

In our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we’re suing:

• The local chapter
• The national organization
• The university (which owned the fraternity house)
• Individual members
• A former member and their spouse (who allowed hazing at their home)

3. What Compensation Can Pike County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to:
💰 Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
💰 Lost wages (if injuries prevent work)
💰 Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
💰 Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct, like waterboarding or forced alcohol consumption)
💰 Wrongful death damages (if hazing results in death)

Recent hazing settlements & verdicts:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State University)
• $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

Our $10 million demand in the UH case is in line with these precedents—and Pike County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

🔍 Warning Signs of Hazing in Pike County Students

Hazing often starts subtly but escalates quickly. Signs your child may be a victim:

⚠️ Physical injuries (bruises, burns, broken bones, exhaustion)
⚠️ Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities
⚠️ Sleep deprivation (falling asleep in class, dark circles under eyes)
⚠️ Unexplained weight loss or illness (from forced exercise or alcohol consumption)
⚠️ Withdrawal from friends & family (embarrassment, shame, or fear of retaliation)
⚠️ Sudden academic decline (missed classes, failing grades)
⚠️ Talk of “traditions” or “tests” that sound abusive
⚠️ Being forced to carry strange items (like our client’s fanny pack with sexual objects)

If you notice these signs, act immediately. Hazing can turn deadly in hours.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Pike County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
• If your child is vomiting, has dark urine, or can’t move, go to the ER now.
• Document everything—photos of injuries, hospital records, doctor’s notes.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. Save everything:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots)
✔ Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
✔ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules)
✔ Witness names & contact info (other pledges, friends)
✔ Social media posts (even if deleted, we can subpoena records)

❌ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Confront the fraternity/sorority alone
• Sign anything from the organization
• Talk to university administrators without a lawyer

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Ohio)
• Report to the university’s Greek life office
• Contact the national fraternity/sorority organization

But be careful: Universities and fraternities often try to minimize, cover up, or intimidate victims. Talk to an attorney first.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (Ohio’s statute of limitations is 2 years for personal injury). The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost.

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

🏛️ Why Pike County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

We don’t just talk about hazing cases—we’re actively litigating one right now.

Our client, a University of Houston student, was hospitalized with kidney failure after being:
✔ Waterboarded 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 made to run sprints
✔ Sprayed with a hose while minimally clothed in cold weather

The fraternity chapter was shut down, and we’re holding the national organization, the university, and individual members accountable.

Pike County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies—so we know exactly how they’ll try to deny or minimize your claim.

Their tactics:
❌ “The victim consented to hazing.”
❌ “It was just tradition—no real harm was intended.”
❌ “The university didn’t know this was happening.”
❌ “The victim was partially at fault.”

Our counterattack:
✅ Ohio law says consent is NOT a defense.
✅ Torture is not “tradition”—it’s abuse.
✅ Universities own fraternity houses and have a duty to inspect.
✅ Comparative negligence doesn’t apply if the victim was coerced.

3. Nationwide Experience, Local Representation for Pike County

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims across the U.S., including Ohio.

How we help Pike County families:
✔ Free case evaluation (phone or video)
✔ Travel to Pike County for meetings, depositions, and trials
✔ Handle all communications with the university, fraternity, and insurance companies
✔ Aggressive litigation—we don’t settle for lowball offers
✔ Contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront

4. We’ve Won Millions for Injury Victims

Our firm has secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases, including:
💰 $10+ million – BP Texas City explosion litigation
💰 Millions for trucking accident victims
💰 Wrongful death cases
💰 Catastrophic injury claims

We apply the same winning strategies to hazing cases.

5. We Understand the Culture of Hazing

Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and coach—he knows how team dynamics can lead to abuse. We understand:

• The peer pressure that keeps victims silent
• The fear of retaliation from fraternity/sorority members
• The loyalty conflicts that prevent victims from speaking out
• The institutional cover-ups that protect perpetrators

We don’t just see your child as a case—we see them as a person who deserves justice.

📢 Our Message to Fraternities Near Pike County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and all other Greek organizations operating near Pike County:

We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts in other hazing cases apply to your chapters.

If you haze students in Ohio, we will find every liable entity—your national organization, your housing corporation, your alumni, and your individual members.

The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down.
The fraternity president? Personally liable for $6.5 million.

Your chapter could be next.

🎓 Universities in Ohio: The Same Liability Applies to You

To Ohio University, Miami University, University of Cincinnati, Ohio State, and other schools near Pike County:

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They knew about hazing risks. They failed to act.

If your university owns or controls Greek housing, you have a duty to inspect and regulate.

If you knew or should have known about hazing, you will be held accountable.

📞 Pike County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed at a university near Pike County, you have legal options—and a limited time to act.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
💻 Free case evaluation – No obligation, no upfront cost.

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

Distance is not a barrier. Justice is our mission.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. Let’s End Hazing in Ohio.

Hazing doesn’t build brotherhood—it destroys lives.

If your child has been a victim, we will fight for them.

Call Attorney 911 today.