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February 20, 2026 18 min read
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πŸ›‘οΈ Hazing Lawyers Serving Plumas County, California – Immediate Legal Help for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Victims

Plumas County families: If your child was hazed, abused, or injured in a fraternity or sorority near Plumas County, we can help. Call now for a free, confidential consultation.

πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911 | βœ‰οΈ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

🚨 Plumas County Parents: Hazing Is Happening Near You – And It’s More Dangerous Than You Think

Plumas County is known for its stunning natural beauty, tight-knit communities, and strong family values. Parents in Quincy, Portola, Chester, Greenville, and across Plumas County send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But the truth is, hazing is happening at universities near Plumas County – and it’s not just “harmless fun.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And it can cause permanent physical and psychological damage.

We are Attorney 911, a national hazing litigation team based in Texas with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for a hazing victim who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas – it’s happening at universities near Plumas County, and it could be happening to your child.

Plumas County families: You don’t have to face this alone. We will travel to Plumas County for your case. We will fight for you. And we will hold every responsible party accountable – no matter how powerful they are.

πŸ” What Is Hazing – And Why Is It So Dangerous?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them – regardless of whether they consent. In California and across the U.S., hazing is illegal, and it can lead to serious injuries, hospitalizations, and even death.

Common Hazing Activities at Universities Near Plumas County:

Physical Abuse Forced Consumption Psychological Torture Sleep Deprivation Sexual Humiliation
Beatings with paddles Forced alcohol consumption Verbal abuse Late-night activities Forced nudity
Extreme exercise (500+ squats, 100+ pushups) Forced eating until vomiting Threats of expulsion Early-morning driving Sexual object requirements
Waterboarding (simulated drowning) “Gauntlet” drinking Isolation All-night pledging Invasive “interviews”
Bear crawls, wheelbarrows, 100-yard crawls Chugging contests Public humiliation Sleep deprivation Sexualized games
Exposure to extreme cold/heat Drug consumption Degradation rituals Disrupted sleep patterns Sexual assault

Medical Consequences of Hazing:

Hazing doesn’t just cause bruises. It can lead to life-threatening injuries and permanent damage:

Injury Cause Plumas County Families Should Know
Rhabdomyolysis Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats) Muscles break down; can cause kidney failure (like our client in Houston)
Acute Kidney Failure Rhabdomyolysis or dehydration Requires hospitalization and dialysis
Alcohol Poisoning Forced drinking Can be fatal (like Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State)
Traumatic Brain Injury Beatings, falls, or choking Can cause permanent cognitive impairment
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia Exposure to cold/heat Can lead to organ failure or death
PTSD, Anxiety, Depression Psychological abuse Can last for years or a lifetime
Death Extreme hazing Over 50 hazing deaths in the U.S. since 2000

πŸ›οΈ Hazing Is Happening at Universities Near Plumas County

While Plumas County is home to small, community-focused colleges like Feather River College, many Plumas County students attend larger universities where Greek life is active. These same fraternities and sororities operate near Plumas County, and they bring the same hazing culture with them.

Universities Near Plumas County Where Hazing Has Been Reported:

University Location Distance from Quincy, CA Greek Life Presence Hazing Incidents Reported
California State University, Chico Chico, CA ~100 miles Strong Greek life (20+ fraternities/sororities) Multiple hazing violations; suspensions
University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV ~120 miles Active Greek system Hazing investigations; chapter suspensions
University of California, Davis Davis, CA ~180 miles Large Greek community Hazing violations; criminal charges
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA ~200 miles Major Greek presence Hazing deaths; lawsuits
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, CA ~170 miles Active Greek life Hazing suspensions; investigations

Fraternities Operating Near Plumas County with Documented Hazing Histories:

Fraternity Hazing Incidents Plumas County Connection
Pi Kappa Phi Waterboarding, 500 squats, kidney failure (our current case); Andrew Coffey death (2017) Chapters at Chico State, UC Davis, UC Berkeley
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Forced drinking deaths; sexual assault allegations Chapters at Chico State, UNR
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Stone Foltz death (2021); $10M lawsuit Chapters at Chico State, UC Davis
Beta Theta Pi Timothy Piazza death (2017); $110M+ settlement Chapters at UC Berkeley, UC Davis
Phi Delta Theta Max Gruver death (2017); $6.1M verdict Chapters at Chico State, UNR
Sigma Chi Hazing deaths; lawsuits Chapters at Chico State, UC Berkeley

Plumas County families: These are the same national fraternities operating near you. If they’ve done this elsewhere, they’re doing it at universities near Plumas County.

βš–οΈ California Hazing Laws – What Plumas County Families Need to Know

California has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. If your child was hazed at a university near Plumas County, they have legal rights – and the people who hurt them can be held criminally and civilly liable.

California Education Code Β§ 32050 – Hazing Is a Crime

Definition of Hazing:

Any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm.

Criminal Penalties:

  • Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or $5,000 fine
  • Felony (if serious bodily injury or death occurs): Up to 3 years in state prison

Key Points for Plumas County Families:
βœ… Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says this doesn’t matter.
βœ… Universities can be held liable – If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.
βœ… Fraternities and sororities can be sued – Both the local chapter and the national organization.
βœ… Individual members can be sued personally – Including chapter officers and active members.

Civil Liability – Who Can Be Sued in Plumas County Hazing Cases:

Defendant Basis for Liability Plumas County Application
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing Chapters at Chico State, UNR, UC Davis, etc.
National Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, etc. have chapters near Plumas County
University Owned property; failed to prevent hazing CSU Chico, UNR, UC Davis, etc. have premises liability
Chapter Officers Leadership responsibility; directed hazing President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager
Individual Members Participated in hazing Active members who carried out activities
Alumni/Advisors Allowed hazing at their property Premises liability for off-campus events
Housing Corporations Owned fraternity/sorority property Property owners can be held liable

πŸ’° Hazing Lawsuits: What Plumas County Families Can Recover

Hazing cases can result in substantial financial compensation for victims and their families. In our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we are seeking $10 million for our client’s injuries. Plumas County families can recover the same types of damages.

Types of Compensation Available:

Category Examples Plumas County Application
Medical Expenses Hospital bills, ER visits, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical care Kidney failure treatment, PTSD therapy, etc.
Lost Wages Time missed from work due to injuries Part-time jobs, internships, summer employment
Pain and Suffering Physical pain from hazing injuries Agony of rhabdomyolysis, waterboarding, paddling
Emotional Distress PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution Psychological trauma from abuse
Loss of Enjoyment Inability to participate in normal activities Missing out on college experience
Punitive Damages Punishment for egregious conduct Waterboarding, 500 squats, forced vomiting
Wrongful Death If hazing results in death Funeral expenses, loss of companionship

Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements (Proof Plumas County Families Can Win):

Case Fraternity University Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Pi Kappa Alpha Bowling Green State Settlement $10.1M+
Max Gruver Phi Delta Theta Louisiana State Jury Verdict $6.1M
Timothy Piazza Beta Theta Pi Penn State Settlement $110M+
Andrew Coffey Pi Kappa Phi Florida State Settlement Confidential (major)
Tucker Hipps Sigma Phi Epsilon Clemson Settlement $500K+

Plumas County families: These cases prove that hazing victims can win millions. The same legal strategies apply to your case.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Plumas County

If your child was hazed at a university near Plumas County, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Follow these steps immediately:

Step 1: Ensure Your Child’s Safety

  • Remove them from the hazing environment immediately
  • Seek medical attention – even if injuries seem minor (rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure can develop days later)
  • Document all injuries with photos

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

βœ… Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs – Screenshot everything
βœ… Photos and videos – From hazing activities, injuries, locations
βœ… Social media posts – From fraternity/sorority members bragging about hazing
βœ… Witness information – Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
βœ… Medical records – Hospital reports, doctor’s notes, therapy records
βœ… Fraternity/sorority documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules

Step 3: Do NOT Do These Things

❌ Do NOT talk to the fraternity/sorority – Anything you say can be used against you
❌ Do NOT post on social media – Insurance companies will use posts against you
❌ Do NOT sign anything – From the organization, university, or insurance companies
❌ Do NOT accept a settlement offer – First offers are always lowball

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer Immediately

  • California statute of limitations: 2 years from the date of injury (for personal injury)
  • Evidence disappears quickly – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records
  • Insurance companies will try to lowball you – They want to pay as little as possible
  • We can help – Free consultation, no upfront cost, we only get paid if you win

πŸ“ž Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911 | βœ‰οΈ ralph@atty911.com

πŸ† Why Plumas County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW – And We’re Winning

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t theoretical – we’re in the fight, and we know how to win.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they think, how they strategize, and how they try to deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Plumas County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Plumas County. We have:

  • Federal court authority – Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
  • Dual-state bar licenses – Texas AND New York
  • Video consultations – Meet with us remotely from Plumas County
  • Willingness to travel – We will come to Plumas County for depositions, meetings, and trials

4. We Have the Resources to Take on Powerful Defendants

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers, insurance companies, and PR firms working to minimize your claim. We have the resources to fight back:

  • Expert witnesses – Medical experts, hazing culture experts, accident reconstructionists
  • Investigators – To gather evidence and interview witnesses
  • Litigation funding – We advance case costs so you don’t have to
  • Media relations – To ensure your story is heard

5. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Plumas County Families

We understand that Plumas County families may be worried about the cost of legal representation. That’s why we work on contingency:

  • $0 upfront – No retainer, no hourly fees
  • We only get paid if you win – Our fee comes from your settlement or verdict
  • No risk to you – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

6. We Are Committed to Ending Hazing Culture

This isn’t just about money. It’s about justice. It’s about accountability. It’s about making sure no other Plumas County family has to go through what you’re going through.

Lupe Pena said it best in our current case:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Plumas County families: Your case can save lives.

πŸ“ž Plumas County Hazing Victims – Contact Us Now

If your child was hazed at a university near Plumas County, you have legal rights – and we can help you enforce them. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin building your case and fighting for the justice you deserve.

Free, Confidential Consultation for Plumas County Families:

πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
βœ‰οΈ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

We Serve All of Plumas County, Including:

  • Quincy
  • Portola
  • Chester
  • Greenville
  • Indian Falls
  • Meadow Valley
  • Lake Almanor
  • East Quincy
  • Spring Garden
  • Keddie
  • And all surrounding areas

Plumas County families: We will travel to you. We will fight for you. And we will hold every responsible party accountable.

πŸ”₯ A Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Plumas County

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Plumas County:

We are watching.

We know your chapters at Chico State, UNR, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and other universities near Plumas County. We know the same national organizations that waterboarded our client in Houston are operating near Plumas County. We know the same hazing “traditions” that hospitalized our client are happening in your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi – we know your history. We know your playbook. And we know how to beat you in court.

The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters near Plumas County. If you haze students in Plumas County, we will pursue every liable entity – the university, the national organization, the housing corporation, the alumni advisors, and every individual member.

We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.

Clean up your act before we clean you out in court.

πŸ“’ Plumas County Parents: Share This Information

Hazing thrives in secrecy. The more Plumas County families know about the dangers, the safer our children will be. Please share this page with other parents, students, and community members in Plumas County.

Together, we can end hazing culture – and protect Plumas County students.

πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911 | βœ‰οΈ ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

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Serving Plumas County, California and Nationwide
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