Hazing Lawyers in Richmond County, Georgia – Protecting Students from Abuse

Richmond County Families: When “Tradition” Becomes Torture, We Fight Back

Every fall, Richmond County parents send their children off to college with high hopes. They trust that universities like Augusta University, Paine College, and nearby institutions will provide a safe environment where their children can grow, learn, and form lifelong friendships. What they don’t expect is that their child might be subjected to waterboarding, forced eating until vomiting, or extreme physical punishment—all in the name of “brotherhood” or “tradition.”

But this is exactly what’s happening in Richmond County and across America. And it’s happening right now.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the hazing of a young man who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of abuse. The same fraternities operate at colleges near Richmond County. The same hazing culture exists. And we are ready to fight for Richmond County families with the same determination.

If your child has been hazed in Richmond County—whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any other student organization—you have legal rights, and we can help.

What Is Hazing? The Reality in Richmond County

Hazing is often dismissed as “harmless fun” or “just part of the process.” But the truth is far darker. Hazing is abuse disguised as tradition. It is torture disguised as initiation. And in Richmond County, it’s happening right under the noses of university administrators who have the power to stop it—but choose not to.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Richmond County

Based on our current case and other documented incidents nationwide, hazing in Richmond County may include:

This isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “building character.” It’s abuse. And it’s illegal in Georgia.

The Hazing Crisis in Richmond County: What Parents Need to Know

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Georgia

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61) defines hazing as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a school organization.”

Penalties in Georgia:

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

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is a crime regardless of consent.

2. Universities Near Richmond County Have a Duty to Protect Students

Colleges and universities in and near Richmond County—including Augusta University, Paine College, and others—have a legal duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. This includes:

• Monitoring Greek life organizations (fraternities and sororities)
• Investigating reports of hazing promptly
• Enforcing anti-hazing policies consistently
• Removing dangerous organizations when necessary

But too often, they fail. Why? Because universities prioritize reputation over safety. They don’t want bad publicity, so they sweep hazing under the rug—until a student ends up in the hospital or worse.

We’ve seen this before. In 2017, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing. The university knew about it. They did nothing. Eight years later, another student—our client—was hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing at a different fraternity. Same university. Same failure.

3. National Fraternities Know About the Problem—and Do Nothing

The fraternities operating near Richmond County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, and others—are national organizations with millions of dollars in assets. They have insurance policies, legal teams, and risk management departments. They know hazing happens. They’ve seen students die.

• Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at Florida State). Eight years later, they allowed our client to be hospitalized.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon has paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries.
• Pi Kappa Alpha had a student hospitalized at UH in 2017. The university knew. The fraternity knew. Nothing changed.

These organizations have the power to stop hazing. They choose not to.

4. Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Fraternities

While fraternities are the most common offenders, hazing happens in all types of student organizations near Richmond County, including:

• Sororities (e.g., Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta)
• Sports teams (football, basketball, soccer, etc.)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• Student government
• Club sports and intramural teams

If your child is being pressured to participate in dangerous or humiliating activities to “earn their place,” it’s hazing—and it’s illegal.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Richmond County

If your child has been hazed in Richmond County, time is critical. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And in Georgia, you only have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor. Some hazing injuries—like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)—don’t show symptoms right away. Our client didn’t realize he was in danger until his urine turned brown and he couldn’t walk.

Signs your child may have been hazed and needs medical attention:

• Severe muscle pain or weakness
• Dark or brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
• Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
• Vomiting or nausea that doesn’t go away
• Bruises, cuts, or burns
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (slurred speech, confusion, unconsciousness)
• Extreme fatigue or inability to move
• Withdrawal, depression, or anxiety

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Preserve:
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs – Screenshots of all communications about hazing
✅ Photos and videos – Any images or recordings from hazing events
✅ Social media posts – Any posts about hazing, even if they seem “harmless”
✅ Medical records – Hospital records, doctor’s notes, therapy records
✅ Witness information – Names and contact info of other victims or bystanders
✅ Physical evidence – Clothing worn during hazing, objects used in hazing

Do NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media
❌ Give statements to university administrators alone

Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone

Fraternities, sororities, and universities have teams of lawyers whose job is to protect the institution—not your child. If you confront them alone, they will:

• Destroy evidence (delete texts, erase security footage)
• Coordinate stories among members
• Pressure your child to stay silent
• Offer lowball settlements before you know the full extent of injuries

Before you talk to anyone, call us. We will handle all communications for you.

Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

You have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in Georgia. But the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Call us 24/7 at: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Or email: ralph@atty911.com

We offer:
✅ Free, confidential consultations for Richmond County families
✅ No upfront costs – We work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
✅ Nationwide representation – We can help no matter where the hazing occurred
✅ Aggressive legal strategy – We sue everyone responsible: the chapter, the national organization, the university, and individual members

Who We Sue for Richmond County Hazing Victims

When your child is hazed, multiple parties are responsible. We don’t just sue the individuals involved—we go after everyone who allowed it to happen.

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

• Why? They directly organized and conducted the hazing.
• Example: In our current case, the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at UH is named as a defendant.

2. The National Organization (Fraternity/Sorority Nationals)

• Why? They have millions of dollars in assets and insurance. They knew about hazing risks and failed to prevent them.
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi National is a defendant in our case because they knew about the “hazing crisis” and did nothing.

3. The University (Augusta University, Paine College, etc.)

• Why? Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew about hazing and failed to act, they’re liable.
• Example: The University of Houston is a defendant in our case because they owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred and had a prior hazing incident in 2017.

4. Individual Members (Chapter Officers, Participants)

• Why? Each person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be held personally liable.
• Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

5. Housing Corporations (If Hazing Occurred at a Fraternity/Sorority House)

• Why? The entity that owns the property can be liable for allowing hazing to occur on their premises.

6. Alumni & Former Members

• Why? If hazing occurred at an alumni’s home, they can be liable for premises liability.
• Example: In our case, a former member and his spouse are named as defendants because hazing occurred at their residence.

What Richmond County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing causes physical, emotional, and financial harm. We fight to recover full compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses (Past and Future)

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays
• Doctor’s appointments
• Physical therapy
• Mental health treatment (therapy, counseling)
• Future medical care (e.g., kidney monitoring, dialysis, transplant)

Our client was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure. His medical bills will be substantial—and that’s just the beginning.

2. Pain and Suffering

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries—it causes lifelong trauma. We fight for compensation for:

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

3. Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work during recovery
• Lost internship or job opportunities
• If injuries cause permanent limitations, we fight for future lost earnings

4. Educational Damages

• Tuition refunds if your child had to drop out
• Cost of transferring to another school
• Lost scholarships

5. Punitive Damages

When hazing is especially egregious (like waterboarding or forcing exercise until collapse), we ask for punitive damages—additional money meant to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Example: In the Maxwell Gruver case, a jury awarded $6.1 million in damages, including punitive damages.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases do not settle for small amounts. When institutions try to cover up abuse, juries respond with multi-million-dollar verdicts. Here’s what hazing victims have recovered in recent cases:

Richmond County families: These same results are possible for you.

Why Richmond County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

While other firms talk about hazing cases, we are actively litigating one right now. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring the same aggressive, data-driven approach to Richmond County families.

2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

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

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

Hazing cases often involve national organizations and universities with out-of-state connections. Our attorneys are admitted to U.S. District Court, giving us the ability to pursue cases in federal court—a major advantage when dealing with multi-state defendants.

4. We Are Dual-Licensed (Texas and New York)

Many national fraternities are headquartered in New York or other states. Our dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue these organizations wherever they are.

5. We Offer Contingency Fees – $0 Upfront

We understand that Richmond County families may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and emotional stress. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

6. We Will Travel to Richmond County

While we’re based in Texas, we travel to our clients. Whether your child was hazed at Augusta University, Paine College, or any other institution near Richmond County, we will come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.

7. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Richmond County come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide bilingual legal services so language is never a barrier to justice.

8. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million-Dollar Wins

• $10 million lawsuit currently pending in hazing case
• Millions recovered in wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and personal injury cases
• Former BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence

Fraternities Near Richmond County: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Richmond County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma, and others—we have a message:

“We are watching. The same legal strategies that are securing multi-million-dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in Richmond County, we will find every liable entity—and we will sue them all.”

Pi Kappa Phi:

• You had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey).
• Eight years later, you allowed another student to be hospitalized.
• You knew about the “hazing crisis” and did nothing.
• We are coming for you.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon:

• You’ve paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths.
• Your chapters near Richmond County are not immune.
• We are tracking your house corporations, alumni chapters, and insurance policies.

Pi Kappa Alpha:

• You had a student hospitalized at UH in 2017.
• The university knew. You knew.
• Nothing changed.
• We will make sure it changes now.

Universities Near Richmond County:

• You own the fraternity houses.
• You collect the rent.
• You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous organizations.
• If you fail to protect students, you will be held accountable.

Richmond County Parents: You Are Not Powerless

If your child has been hazed, you may feel helpless, angry, or overwhelmed. You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity. You never expected this.

But you are not powerless.

You have legal rights. You have the power to hold these institutions accountable. And you have Attorney 911 fighting for you.

What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Call us immediately at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
2. Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, medical records).
3. Do not talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel.
4. Follow our guidance—we will protect your child and your case.

Richmond County Hazing Victims: Enough Is Enough

For too long, hazing has been ignored, excused, or covered up. Students have been tortured, hospitalized, and killed—all while universities and fraternities look the other way.

But it ends now.

At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle in court right now. We are holding institutions accountable. And we are ready to bring that fight to Richmond County.

If your child has been hazed—whether at Augusta University, Paine College, or any other institution near Richmond County—call us today.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you get paid. You have nothing to lose—and justice to gain.

Richmond County Families: The Time to Act Is Now.

Your child’s future—and the safety of other students—depends on it.