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Saginaw County (Earth/North America/United States/Michigan/Saginaw County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Sigma Chi $10M+ | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 19 min read
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Hazing Lawyers in Saginaw County, MI – Protecting Students & Holding Institutions Accountable

If your child was hazed at a Saginaw County college, university, or Greek organization, Attorney 911 can help.

We are a national hazing litigation firm with deep experience fighting for victims of fraternity and sorority abuse. While we’re based in Texas, we serve families across the country—including Saginaw County, Michigan—through federal court representation, remote consultations, and a commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.

Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that proves what happens when institutions fail to protect students. The same fraternities, the same negligence, and the same cover-ups happen in Saginaw County. We will fight for your family with the same aggression.

📞 Call our hazing hotline now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Saginaw County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning

Our attorneys are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from hazing.

What happened in Houston is happening in Saginaw County.

  • The same fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, others) operate at Saginaw County universities.
  • The same “traditions” (forced drinking, physical abuse, sleep deprivation) are used to break students.
  • The same institutions (universities, national organizations) know about the abuse but do nothing—until someone gets hurt or dies.

We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring that same fight to Saginaw County.

2. We Have the Experience to Take on Powerful Institutions

Hazing cases are not like other personal injury lawsuits. They require:
Deep knowledge of Greek life culture – We understand the power dynamics, the intimidation tactics, and how hazing is hidden.
Experience with institutional negligence – Universities and national fraternities will blame the victim, destroy evidence, and lowball settlements. We know their playbook.
Federal court authority – We’re admitted to U.S. District Court and can pursue cases nationwide, including in Michigan.
Dual-state bar admission – Licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages in multi-state litigation.
Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how insurance companies minimize claims—and we use that knowledge against them.

We’ve handled cases against:

  • National fraternities & sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, others)
  • Major universities (University of Houston, Texas A&M, others)
  • Insurance companies (who try to deny or underpay claims)

3. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Saginaw County Families

We understand that the cost of hiring a lawyer can be overwhelming—especially when your child is recovering from hazing injuries.

That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

  • You pay $0 upfront.
  • We only get paid if we win your case.
  • No hidden fees, no surprises.

If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

4. We Serve Saginaw County – No Matter Where You Are

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Saginaw County, Michigan.

How we serve Saginaw County families:
Free remote consultations – Meet with us by phone or video from home.
We travel to Saginaw County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings.
Federal court representation – We can file your case in federal court if needed.
24/7 availability – Hazing emergencies don’t wait. Call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will fight for your Saginaw County family.

What Counts as Hazing in Saginaw County?

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse, and it’s illegal in Michigan.

Under Michigan law (MCL 750.411t), hazing includes any activity that:

  • Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
  • Is required for membership, affiliation, or participation in an organization
  • Involves coercion, intimidation, or humiliation

Common hazing activities in Saginaw County:
Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging, “beer miles”)
Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion)
Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, isolation, verbal abuse)
Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects)
Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, “kidnappings,” extreme weather exposure)
Financial exploitation (paying for members’ drinks, forced purchases)
Servitude (cleaning, driving members, running errands)

If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed—and they have legal rights.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Saginaw County?

Hazing isn’t just the fault of a few “bad apples.” Multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Fraternity or Sorority Chapter (Local Level)

  • Directly organized and conducted hazing activities
  • Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager) can be sued individually
  • Members who participated can be held personally liable

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

  • Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
  • Knew about hazing culture but did nothing (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 and still allowed abuse in 2025)
  • Provided inadequate training or oversight
  • Have deep pockets and insurance policies

3. The University or College

  • Failed to supervise Greek life
  • Ignored prior hazing complaints
  • Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred (e.g., fraternity houses)
  • Had power to suspend or ban dangerous organizations but didn’t

Example: In our $10 million Pi Kappa Phi case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured.

4. Individual Members & Alumni

  • Active members who participated in hazing
  • Alumni who hosted hazing events at their homes
  • Spouses/partners who allowed hazing on their property

5. Insurance Companies

  • National organizations have liability insurance
  • Universities have institutional insurance
  • Homeowners’ policies may cover off-campus hazing

We know how to pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.

What Compensation Can Saginaw County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing can cause physical injuries, psychological trauma, and long-term damage. You deserve compensation for:

🏥 Medical Expenses

  • Emergency room visits
  • Hospital stays (our client was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure)
  • Surgery or long-term treatment (e.g., dialysis, kidney transplant)
  • Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Future medical costs (ongoing monitoring, medications)

💼 Economic Damages

  • Lost wages (if hazing caused your child to miss work)
  • Lost academic opportunities (scholarships, internships, delayed graduation)
  • Tuition reimbursement (if hazing forced them to drop out)

😢 Pain & Suffering

  • Physical pain from beatings, forced exercise, or injuries
  • Emotional distress from humiliation, intimidation, or trauma
  • PTSD, anxiety, depression (many hazing victims develop long-term mental health issues)
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)

⚖️ Punitive Damages (in Severe Cases)

If the hazing was especially egregious (e.g., waterboarding, sexual assault, forced alcohol poisoning), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future abuse.

Example: In the Maxwell Gruver case (LSU), a jury awarded $6.1 million after a student died from forced drinking.

Saginaw County Colleges & Universities Where Hazing Happens

Hazing isn’t limited to one school or organization. It happens across Saginaw County, including at:

🎓 Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU)

  • Greek life presence: Active fraternities and sororities
  • Potential risk organizations:
    • Fraternities: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, others
    • Sororities: Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, others
    • Sports teams, marching band, ROTC, student clubs

🏫 Delta College (Near Saginaw County)

  • Smaller student body, but hazing still occurs in clubs, honor societies, and athletic teams

📍 Other Michigan Schools with Greek Life (Near Saginaw County)

  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing)
  • Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant)
  • Alma College
  • Northwood University

If your child was hazed at any of these schools, we can help.

Warning Signs of Hazing in Saginaw County

Hazing is often hidden from parents and authorities. Watch for these red flags:

🚩 Physical Signs

  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
  • Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation (dark circles, falling asleep in class)
  • Sudden weight loss or gain (from forced eating/drinking or stress)
  • Slurred speech or alcohol on breath (even if they’re under 21)
  • Limping or difficulty walking (from forced exercise or beatings)

🚩 Behavioral Signs

  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Declining grades or skipping classes
  • Sudden secrecy about activities (“I can’t tell you what we do”)
  • Fear or anxiety about attending events
  • Talking about “traditions” or “tests” for membership
  • Carrying strange items (e.g., paddles, fanny packs, sexual objects)

🚩 Digital Signs

  • Deleting texts or social media messages
  • Joining secret group chats (GroupMe, Snapchat, Discord)
  • Receiving late-night calls or texts
  • Posting cryptic messages (“I don’t know if I can do this anymore”)

If you notice these signs, your child may be a hazing victim. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Saginaw County

🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Take them to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
  • Document everything (photos of injuries, medical records, doctor’s notes).
  • Mention hazing to medical staff—this creates a paper trail.

Why this matters:

  • Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) aren’t obvious at first but can be life-threatening.
  • Delayed treatment = weaker case (insurance companies will argue they weren’t really hurt).

📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING.

Save:
Text messages & group chats (screenshots, backups)
Social media posts (Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok)
Photos & videos (of injuries, hazing activities, fraternity houses)
Emails & documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
Witness information (names & contact info of other pledges)

Why this matters:

  • Evidence disappears fast—fraternities will delete texts, social media, and videos.
  • The more proof you have, the stronger your case.

🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Insurance Companies

  • They will try to blame your child.
  • They will offer a lowball settlement.
  • They will twist your words to deny your claim.

What to say instead:

“I’m not discussing this without my attorney present.”

Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

⚖️ Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

  • Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases (MCL 600.5805).
  • Evidence disappears quickly—the sooner we act, the stronger your case.
  • We can help preserve evidence before it’s deleted.

Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Saginaw County Families Can’t Fight This Alone

Hazing cases are not like other lawsuits. The defendants (fraternities, universities, insurance companies) have entire teams of lawyers fighting to minimize your claim.

They will:
Blame your child (“They consented,” “They knew the risks”)
Destroy evidence (delete texts, social media, videos)
Lowball settlements (offer $10,000 when your damages are $100,000+)
Delay the case (hoping you’ll give up)

You need a lawyer who:
Knows Greek life culture (we’ve handled Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Phi, and other fraternity cases)
Has beaten insurance companies before (we’re former insurance defense attorneys)
Can take the case to trial (most hazing lawyers settle cheap—we don’t)
Will travel to Saginaw County (we come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials)

Our $10 Million Hazing Case – What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Saginaw County

Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from hazing.

What Happened to Our Client (Leonel Bermudez):

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 milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
Forced to run sprints while vomiting
Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure

Why This Case Matters for Saginaw County:

  1. Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide—including near Saginaw County.
  2. The same “traditions” happen at Saginaw County fraternities.
  3. Universities in Saginaw County own fraternity houses—just like UH did.
  4. They knew it was dangerous—Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 and still allowed abuse.
  5. They’re already planning to come back—Pi Kappa Phi’s statement said they “look forward to returning to campus.”

This is not an isolated incident. This is happening in Saginaw County right now.

Hazing Verdicts & Settlements – What Saginaw County Victims Can Win

Case University Fraternity Injury Outcome
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Death (alcohol poisoning) $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta Death (alcohol poisoning) $6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Death (traumatic brain injury) $110+ million (estimated)
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Death (alcohol poisoning) Confidential settlement
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Death (alcohol poisoning) $4+ million settlement
Our Case University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure $10 million lawsuit pending

These cases prove that hazing victims and families CAN win big. The same results are possible for Saginaw County families.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Saginaw County

❓ “My child agreed to participate. Does that mean they can’t sue?”

No. Michigan law (MCL 750.411t) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed,” they didn’t consent to torture, beatings, or life-threatening abuse.

❓ “The fraternity said it was just ‘tradition.’ Is that an excuse?”

No. “Tradition” does not justify illegal, dangerous, or abusive behavior. If it did, slavery, dueling, and child labor would still be legal.

❓ “The university said they didn’t know. Are they still liable?”

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they own the fraternity house, ignore complaints, or fail to supervise, they can be held liable—even if they claim ignorance.

❓ “What if my child was hazed off-campus?”

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it’s part of a fraternity/sorority event, the organization is still responsible.

❓ “How much is my case worth?”

Every case is different, but hazing cases often settle for $100,000 to $10+ million, depending on:

  • Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, long-term damage)
  • Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, sexual assault, forced drinking)
  • Number of liable parties (fraternity, university, individuals)
  • Insurance coverage (national organizations have deep pockets)

❓ “How long will the case take?”

  • Minor injuries: 6–12 months
  • Severe injuries (hospitalization, wrongful death): 1–3 years
  • If it goes to trial: 2–4 years

We push for the fastest resolution possible while maximizing your compensation.

❓ “Will my child have to testify?”

Possibly, but most cases settle before trial. If it goes to court, we’ll prepare your child thoroughly.

❓ “What if the fraternity threatens retaliation?”

We protect our clients. Hazing often involves intimidation and cover-ups. We take steps to ensure your child’s safety and privacy.

Saginaw County Hazing Resources

🚨 Emergency Contacts

  • National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
  • Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office: (989) 790-5400
  • SVSU Police Department: (989) 964-4141
  • Michigan State Police: (989) 754-8477

🏥 Medical & Mental Health Support

  • Covenant HealthCare (Saginaw): (989) 583-0000
  • Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital (Saginaw): (989) 776-8000
  • SVSU Counseling Center: (989) 964-7078
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

📚 Educational Resources

  • StopHazing.org (Research & prevention)
  • HazingPrevention.org (Education & advocacy)
  • Gordie Center (Alcohol poisoning & hazing prevention)

Saginaw County Families: We Will Fight for You

You trusted these institutions to keep your child safe. They failed.

Now, you need a team that will fight back—not just for compensation, but for accountability, justice, and change.

What We Promise Saginaw County Families:

Aggressive representation – We don’t settle cheap.
Nationwide reach – We’ll travel to Saginaw County for your case.
No upfront costs – You pay nothing unless we win.
24/7 availability – Hazing emergencies don’t wait.
Compassionate support – We treat your family like our own.

If your child was hazed in Saginaw County, call us now for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We are Attorney 911. We fight for hazing victims. And we won’t stop until justice is served.

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