Hazing Victims in Putnam County, Georgia: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

Hazing Happens in Putnam County — And It’s Time to Stop It

Putnam County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They believe Greek organizations will provide positive experiences.

But hazing shatters that trust.

Right now, a fraternity at the University of Houston is being sued for $10 million after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing. The fraternity waterboarded him. They forced him to do 500 squats until he couldn’t stand. They struck him with wooden paddles. And they did this to someone who wasn’t even enrolled at the university yet.

This isn’t happening just in Texas. The same fraternities operate at universities near Putnam County. The same culture of abuse exists. The same negligence allows it to continue.

If your child has been hazed in Putnam County — whether at Georgia College & State University, Mercer University’s Macon campus, or any other institution — you have legal rights. And we can help.

What Is Hazing? (It’s Not What You Think)

Many people think hazing is just “harmless pranks” or “rough initiation rituals.” They’re wrong.

Hazing is abuse. It’s torture. It’s often criminal.

In Georgia, hazing is defined as any activity that:

• Endangers the physical or mental health of a student
• Is required for membership in any organization
• Involves forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs
• Includes physical brutality, sleep deprivation, or exposure to extreme conditions

Examples of hazing that have caused serious injuries in Georgia and nationwide:

• Forced drinking leading to alcohol poisoning
• Extreme physical exercise causing rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this happens)
• Beating with paddles or other objects
• Sleep deprivation causing exhaustion and accidents
• Forced eating until vomiting
• Psychological abuse including humiliation and threats

This isn’t “tradition.” This is assault.

Georgia’s Anti-Hazing Law: Strong Protections for Victims

Georgia has a strong anti-hazing law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61). Under this law:

✅ Hazing is a criminal offense — punishable by fines and jail time
✅ Consent is NOT a defense — Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the hazers can still be held liable
✅ Organizations can be held responsible — Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be sued for allowing hazing
✅ Victims can seek compensation — Medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages

Penalties for hazing in Georgia:

• Misdemeanor: Up to 12 months in jail and $1,000 fine
• Felony (if serious injury or death occurs): 1-5 years in prison

But criminal charges aren’t enough. Victims and families deserve financial compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. That’s where we come in.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Putnam County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties are responsible. We pursue every single one.

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) face personal liability
• Individual members who participated can be sued

2. The National Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter
• Knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Had policies that weren’t enforced

Example: Pi Kappa Phi is currently being sued for $10 million after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure. They had 8 years to fix their culture after another student died in 2017 — but they did nothing.

3. The University

• Failed to protect students from foreseeable harm
• Knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Owns or controls property where hazing occurred

Example: The University of Houston is being sued in the Pi Kappa Phi case because they owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut it down — but they didn’t.

4. Individual Members and Officers

• Personally participated in hazing
• Directed or encouraged hazing
• Failed to stop it when they saw it happening

Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally for his role in the hazing death.

5. Insurance Companies

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities have liability insurance
• These policies often cover hazing incidents
• We know how to maximize insurance payouts

What Can Putnam County Families Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit?

Hazing victims and their families are entitled to full compensation for all harm suffered. This includes:

Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)

• Medical bills (hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Educational costs (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
• Future medical expenses (if injuries require long-term care)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and shame from abuse
• Loss of enjoyment of life (missing out on college experiences)
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

Punitive Damages (To Punish the Wrongdoers)

• Awarded when conduct is egregious or intentional
• Meant to deter future hazing
• Can be millions of dollars in severe cases

Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
• $4+ million — Adam Oakes (VCU, Delta Chi)

Putnam County families can recover the same amounts. We know how to build these cases.

The Hazing Crisis at Georgia Colleges

Hazing isn’t just a problem in other states. It happens right here in Georgia.

Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville, GA)

• Located just 30 minutes from Putnam County
• Active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities
• Known hazing incidents have occurred in the past
• Students from Putnam County attend GCSU

Mercer University (Macon, GA)

• 1 hour from Putnam County
• Strong Greek life presence
• Past hazing incidents reported

University of Georgia (Athens, GA)

• 1.5 hours from Putnam County
• Multiple hazing deaths and injuries over the years
• Largest Greek system in the state

Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)

• 2 hours from Putnam County
• Hazing incidents reported in fraternities and sports teams

The Same Fraternities Are Everywhere

The fraternities involved in national hazing cases — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — all have chapters at Georgia universities. If they’re hazing in Texas, they’re hazing in Georgia.

What Should Putnam County Families Do If Hazing Happens?

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away
• Medical records are critical evidence

2. Document Everything

• Take photos of injuries at all stages
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
• Write down everything that happened (dates, times, locations, people involved)
• Get witness contact information

3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

• They will try to minimize the incident
• They may pressure you to stay quiet
• Anything you say can be used against you

4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

• Do not post about the incident
• Do not post photos that make you look “fine”
• Do not delete old posts (this can be seen as destroying evidence)

5. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

• Statute of limitations: You have 2 years to file a lawsuit in Georgia
• Evidence disappears quickly (texts, social media, witness memories)
• Insurance companies will try to lowball you

Why Putnam County Families Choose Attorney 911

We are not just any law firm. We are hazing litigation specialists with a proven track record.

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

• We represent a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after fraternity hazing
• The fraternity waterboarded him, forced 500 squats, and struck him with paddles
• The university owned the fraternity house where it happened
• This case is happening right now — and we’re fighting for maximum compensation

2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Defendants

• Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook
• Federal court admission — we can sue national fraternities anywhere
• Dual-state bar licenses (Georgia and Texas) — we’re licensed to practice in Georgia
• Multi-million dollar case experience — we’ve won big cases before

3. We Travel to Putnam County

• We come to you for meetings, depositions, and trials
• Video consultations available for Putnam County families
• Distance is not a barrier — we represent hazing victims nationwide

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

• You pay nothing unless we win
• No hourly fees, no retainers
• We only get paid if you get paid

5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

• Hazing affects students of all backgrounds
• We serve Spanish-speaking families in Putnam County
• No language barriers to justice

6. We Understand the Culture

• Ralph Manginello was a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach
• We understand team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures young people face
• We know how to expose the truth about hazing

What Happens When You Call Us?

Step 1: Free, Confidential Consultation

• You tell us what happened
• We evaluate your case
• We explain your legal options
• No obligation, no pressure

Step 2: Immediate Evidence Preservation

• We send preservation letters to all defendants
• We demand they save all evidence (texts, photos, videos)
• We prevent them from destroying or hiding anything

Step 3: Expert Investigation

• We work with medical experts, hazing specialists, and accident reconstructionists
• We gather all evidence (medical records, witness statements, photos, communications)
• We build a strong case for maximum compensation

Step 4: Aggressive Negotiation

• We demand full compensation from all defendants
• We negotiate with insurance companies, fraternities, and universities
• We don’t accept lowball offers

Step 5: Trial If Necessary

• If defendants won’t settle fairly, we take them to court
• We’ve won millions in jury verdicts
• We’re not afraid to fight for justice

Putnam County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone

Hazing victims often feel:

• Shame — “I should have known better”
• Fear — “What if they come after me?”
• Loyalty — “I don’t want to get the fraternity in trouble”
• Hopelessness — “No one will believe me”

We understand. And we’re here to help.

You didn’t deserve this.
It wasn’t your fault.
You have the right to justice.
And we will fight for you.

Putnam County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

🌐 attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Putnam County hazing emergencies

We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win.

Frequently Asked Questions for Putnam County Families

1. My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

Many hazing victims are afraid of retaliation or social consequences. You don’t need their permission to contact an attorney. We can:

• Advise you of your legal rights
• Help you document evidence
• Protect your child’s identity if needed
• Explore legal options without filing a lawsuit immediately

2. The fraternity says it was just “tradition” and no one got hurt. Is it still hazing?

Yes. Georgia law defines hazing based on the risk of harm, not just actual injury. Even if no one was physically hurt, activities like:

• Forced drinking
• Extreme exercise
• Sleep deprivation
• Humiliation
• Psychological abuse
  are still hazing and can be the basis for a lawsuit.

3. The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

Absolutely. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they:

• Own or control the property where hazing occurred
• Have a history of hazing incidents
• Fail to implement proper oversight
  they can be held liable for negligence.

4. We’re worried about the cost of a lawsuit. How much will this cost us?

Nothing. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so you never pay out of pocket.

5. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Georgia?

Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you have 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

6. My child was hazed at a university outside Putnam County. Can you still help?

Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide. We can evaluate your case regardless of where it happened. We have:

• Federal court authority to sue national fraternities
• Licenses to practice in Georgia and Texas
• Experience traveling for cases

7. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?

No. Under Georgia law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazers can still be held liable. The law recognizes that:

• Peer pressure is powerful
• Victims often don’t know what they’re agreeing to
• “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse

8. What if my child was injured but not hospitalized?

You may still have a case. Hazing injuries range from:

• Physical: Bruises, sprains, exhaustion
• Psychological: PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Academic: Missed classes, failed courses, lost scholarships

Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and other damages.

9. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Georgia’s anti-hazing law applies on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at:

• A fraternity house
• A private residence
• A hotel
• Any other location
  you can still pursue legal action.

10. What if the fraternity has already been suspended or closed?

That doesn’t end your case. In fact, it can strengthen it. If the fraternity was suspended or closed, it shows:

• They knew about the hazing
• They admitted wrongdoing
• They tried to limit their liability

We can still sue the national organization, the university, and individual members.

Putnam County: It’s Time to End Hazing

Hazing has been going on for decades. Enough is enough.

Every time a fraternity hazes a student, they’re gambling with a life. Every time a university ignores warnings, they’re failing their students. Every time a national organization looks the other way, they’re enabling abuse.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

When families stand up and demand justice, things change. Look at what’s happened after other hazing cases:

• Max Gruver Act — Made hazing a felony in Louisiana
• Timothy Piazza Law — Strengthened hazing penalties in Pennsylvania
• Collin’s Law — Increased hazing punishments in Ohio
• Adam’s Law — New hazing reporting requirements in Virginia

Georgia needs its own hazing reform. And it starts with Putnam County families holding abusers accountable.

Putnam County Families: We’re Here to Help

If your child has been hazed — whether at Georgia College & State University, Mercer University, UGA, or any other school — we can help.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911

📧 ralph@atty911.com

🌐 attorney911.com

We fight for Putnam County hazing victims. We fight for justice. We fight for change.

And we won’t stop until every fraternity, every university, and every national organization learns: Hazing ends now.