🚨 Hazing Victims in Polk County: You Are Not Alone

What happened to your child was not “tradition.” It was not “brotherhood.” It was not “building character.”

It was abuse. It was assault. It may have been criminal. And it was entirely preventable.

If your child was hazed in Polk County — whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization — you have legal rights. You have the right to hold the people and institutions who hurt your child accountable. You have the right to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the long-term consequences of this trauma.

And most importantly: you have the right to stop this from happening to another Polk County family.

⚠️ This Is Happening in Polk County Right Now

You may think hazing is something that happens at big universities in other states. But it happens here. In Polk County. At institutions near you.

The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston have chapters in Florida. The same national organizations that ignored warnings after Andrew Coffey died in 2017 are operating in Polk County today. The same institutional failures that allowed a student to be hospitalized with kidney failure exist at universities near Polk County.

Your child could be next. Or worse — your child could already be a victim.

📞 What Polk County Families Should Do Right Now

1️⃣ Get Medical Attention

If your child has been hazed, take them to a doctor immediately — even if they say they’re “fine.” Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis (the muscle breakdown that hospitalized our client), don’t show symptoms right away. Others, like psychological trauma, may take time to appear.

Document everything. Get copies of all medical records.

2️⃣ Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. The fraternity, sorority, or organization will try to destroy evidence. They will delete messages. They will intimidate witnesses. They will claim it “never happened.”

You must preserve:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs
• Photos and videos from events
• Social media posts (screenshot everything)
• Any objects used in hazing (paddles, alcohol containers, etc.)
• Names and contact information of other victims or witnesses

If you don’t preserve evidence now, it may be gone forever.

3️⃣ Do NOT Talk to the Organization

The moment you report hazing, the organization will go into damage control mode. They will:

• Tell you it was “just a prank”
• Say your child “consented” to participate
• Offer to “handle it internally”
• Pressure you to stay quiet
• Threaten your child with social retaliation

They do not have your child’s best interests at heart. They have their own reputation to protect.

Do not speak to them without an attorney present.

4️⃣ Report to Authorities (Optional but Recommended)

You can file a police report. Hazing is a crime in Florida. The organization may face criminal charges.

You can also report to the university’s Title IX office or student conduct office. But be aware: universities protect themselves first. They may conduct an investigation, but their goal is to limit liability — not to get justice for your child.

5️⃣ Call Attorney 911 — Free Consultation

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we know how to win.

Polk County families get the same aggressive representation we provide nationally.

Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Or email: ralph@atty911.com

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

🔥 What We Know About Hazing in Polk County

The Same Fraternities Are Here

The national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and hospitalizations nationwide have chapters in Florida. Organizations like:

• Pi Kappa Phi (our current $10M case)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (multiple hazing deaths)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Stone Foltz case)
• Phi Delta Theta (Max Gruver case)
• Beta Theta Pi (Timothy Piazza case)

These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern of abuse happening across America — including in Polk County.

Universities Near Polk County Have the Same Failures

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was waterboarded. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter. They chose not to.

Universities near Polk County have the same power — and the same liability when they fail to protect students.

Institutional negligence is not limited to Texas. It happens everywhere.

Hazing Isn’t Just Greek Life

Hazing happens in:

• Fraternities and sororities
• Sports teams (football, baseball, soccer, etc.)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• Clubs and organizations
• Even high school teams and groups

If your child was abused as part of an “initiation,” it may be hazing.

💔 The Reality of Hazing — It’s Not What You Think

This Isn’t “Boys Being Boys”

The activities that hospitalized our client included:

• 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 keep running
• Lying in vomit-soaked grass
• Carrying objects of a sexual nature at all times
• Sleep deprivation — forced to drive members at all hours

This is not “tradition.” This is torture.

It Causes Permanent Damage

Hazing doesn’t just cause temporary injuries. It causes:

• Physical injuries (broken bones, burns, organ damage, death)
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts)
• Academic disruption (missed classes, failed courses, dropped out)
• Career consequences (lost internships, damaged reputation)
• Lifelong health issues (kidney damage, chronic pain, disability)

Our client was hospitalized for four days with kidney failure. He may face lifelong health complications.

Victims Are Afraid to Speak Up

Our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is real.

Hazing victims often stay silent because:

• They’re ashamed
• They blame themselves
• They fear social retaliation
• They fear being kicked out of the organization
• They fear being ostracized
• They’ve been threatened with expulsion if they talk

This silence protects the abusers. It allows the cycle to continue.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Polk County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue for Personal Injury

Hazing is a form of assault and battery. You can sue for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (if you missed work or lost job opportunities)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

Florida law allows you to sue for all of these damages.

2. Consent Is Not a Defense

The organization may claim your child “consented” to participate. They may say it was “voluntary.”

Florida law says: Consent is NOT a defense to hazing.

Even if your child agreed to participate, they did not consent to being abused, tortured, or injured.

3. Multiple Defendants Can Be Held Liable

In our current case, we are suing:

• The local fraternity chapter
• The national fraternity organization
• The university (for premises liability and negligent supervision)
• Individual members who participated
• Former members who hosted hazing
• The spouse who allowed hazing at her home

Everyone who participated or allowed hazing can be held accountable.

4. You Have Time — But Not Much

Florida has a statute of limitations — a deadline to file a lawsuit.

• Personal injury: 4 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

But evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget. Memories fade.

The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

💰 What Your Polk County Hazing Case Could Be Worth

Hazing cases win millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Here’s what similar cases have received:

These results are possible for Polk County victims too.

🎯 Why Polk County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Fight 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 battle right now.

Polk County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. We Know How to Win Against Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have:

• In-house legal departments
• Insurance company lawyers
• Risk management professionals
• Crisis PR teams

You need a legal team that can go toe-to-toe with them.

We have:

• 25+ years of litigation experience
• Former insurance defense attorneys (we know their playbook)
• Federal court admission (can pursue cases nationwide)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• A track record of winning multi-million dollar cases

3. We Work on Contingency — You Pay Nothing Upfront

We understand that cost can be a barrier to justice. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency.

How it works:

• You pay $0 upfront
• We advance all case costs
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict

If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

4. We Serve Polk County Families Nationwide

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide — including in Polk County.

How we serve Polk County families:

• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel commitment — we come to Polk County for depositions and trials
• Federal court authority — can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
• Nationwide reach — can sue national organizations anywhere

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We have bilingual staff who can:

• Conduct consultations in Spanish
• Explain the legal process in Spanish
• Translate documents
• Communicate with Spanish-speaking witnesses

No language barriers to justice.

6. We Have Specific Hazing Expertise

We don’t just handle personal injury cases. We have specific experience with:

• Rhabdomyolysis injuries (like our current client)
• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
• Texas A&M University hazing cases
• Hospitalization compensation claims
• Life-threatening hazing incidents

7. We’re Not Afraid to Go to Trial

Many personal injury lawyers settle cases quickly to avoid the time and expense of trial. We’re not one of them.

We are trial lawyers. We have:

• Taken cases to trial and won
• Fought and beaten insurance companies
• Secured multi-million dollar verdicts
• Never backed down from a fight

If the defendants won’t offer a fair settlement, we will take your case to trial — and win.

8. We Protect Our Clients

Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We understand that fear.

How we protect Polk County clients:

• Confidentiality — we protect your identity
• Evidence preservation — we secure evidence before it disappears
• Witness protection — we shield witnesses from intimidation
• Legal barriers — we prevent defendants from contacting you directly

Your safety and your case are our top priorities.

📞 Polk County Families: Call Us Now

This is happening in Polk County. It could be your child next.

But you can stop it. You can hold them accountable. You can get justice.

Call Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Or email: ralph@atty911.com

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

Serving Polk County and nationwide. Se habla español.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Polk County Families

Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still call?

A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, you should understand your legal options. Sometimes just the threat of legal action can force the organization to take responsibility. And if your child changes their mind later, you’ll know your rights.

Q: Will suing the fraternity hurt my child’s reputation?

A: No. Hazing is illegal. The people who hurt your child should be the ones worried about their reputation — not the victim. Most universities and fraternities settle confidentially to avoid public embarrassment.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. We can sue the organization, the individuals, and any property owners who allowed it to happen.

Q: What if the fraternity tries to blame my child?

A: They will. They’ll say your child “consented” or “could have left.” But Florida law says consent is not a defense. Even if your child participated, they did not consent to being abused.

Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

A: It depends. Some cases settle in months. Others take years. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible, but we won’t accept a lowball offer just to close the case fast. We’ll fight for what your child deserves.

Q: What if my child was drinking during the hazing?

A: Forced alcohol consumption is a form of hazing. If the organization provided or encouraged drinking, they share liability. We’ll investigate who provided the alcohol and whether it was forced.

Q: Can we sue the university if they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable for negligent supervision — even if they didn’t know about the specific incident.

Q: What if the hazing happened last year? Is it too late to sue?

A: Florida has a 4-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. But evidence disappears quickly. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing. We work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Q: My child is an immigrant. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Your immigration status does not affect your right to sue for personal injury. We have bilingual staff and can assist Spanish-speaking families.

🚨 Polk County Parents: This Could Be Your Child

Imagine getting a call that your child:

• Was waterboarded with a garden hose
• Was forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed
• Was struck with wooden paddles
• Was hospitalized with kidney failure
• Is too afraid to speak up because of retribution

This is what happened to our client. It could happen to your child.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

Attorney 911 — Fighting for Polk County hazing victims nationwide.