Hazing Victim Legal Support for Sampson County Families
🚨 Hazing Is Happening at Colleges Near Sampson County – And It’s Time to Stop It
Sampson 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 leadership and brotherhood.
But that trust is being broken.
Right now, in North Carolina and across the country, students are being subjected to dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes deadly hazing rituals—just like what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston, where fraternity members waterboarded him, forced him to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized him with kidney failure.
This isn’t happening just in Texas. It’s happening at colleges near Sampson County. And it needs to stop.
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in North Carolina—or anywhere in the country—you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now in Texas, and we’re ready to bring that same fight to Sampson County families.
🔍 What Is Hazing? The Truth Sampson County Families Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. And in many cases, it’s illegal.
Common Hazing Practices in North Carolina Colleges
Hazing can take many forms, but some of the most dangerous include:
| Type of Hazing | Examples | Dangers |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, forced exercise (pushups, squats, runs) | Broken bones, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), concussions |
| Forced Consumption | Binge drinking, forced eating (hot dogs, milk, peppercorns), drugs | Alcohol poisoning, choking, vomiting, organ failure |
| Psychological Torture | Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk |
| Sexual Humiliation | Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault | Trauma, emotional distress, long-term psychological harm |
| Extreme Weather Exposure | Forced to stay outside in cold/hot weather, stripped of clothing | Hypothermia, heatstroke, frostbite |
| Servitude | Forced to clean, drive members, run errands | Exhaustion, academic decline, missed opportunities |
This isn’t just “initiation.” It’s abuse. And it’s happening at colleges near Sampson County.
💔 The Devastating Impact of Hazing on Sampson County Students
Hazing doesn’t just leave physical scars—it destroys lives.
Physical Injuries from Hazing
- Rhabdomyolysis – Extreme muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (like in the Bermudez case)
- Alcohol Poisoning – Can be fatal; students have died from forced drinking
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – From beatings, falls, or lack of oxygen
- Broken Bones & Internal Bleeding – From physical abuse
- Hypothermia/Hyperthermia – From exposure to extreme weather
Psychological Trauma from Hazing
- PTSD – Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety
- Depression & Suicidal Thoughts – Many hazing victims struggle with mental health
- Trust Issues – Difficulty forming relationships after betrayal
- Academic Decline – Missed classes, failing grades, dropping out
- Substance Abuse – Self-medicating to cope with trauma
Financial & Educational Consequences
- Medical Bills – Hospital stays, therapy, medications
- Lost Wages – Time off work due to injuries
- Tuition Loss – Dropping out or transferring schools
- Career Impact – Missed internships, job opportunities
Sampson County families deserve better. If your child has been hazed, we can help you fight back.
⚖️ Legal Rights for Sampson County Hazing Victims
If your child has been hazed in North Carolina, you have legal options. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Sampson County families.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in North Carolina?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Bermudez Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies | Pi Kappa Phi National knew about “hazing crisis” |
| University/College | Failed to supervise Greek life, owned property where hazing occurred | UH owned the fraternity house |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Fraternity president, pledgemaster, active members |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes | Former members hosted hazing at their residence |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | National fraternity’s liability insurance |
Sampson County families: You don’t have to fight this alone. We know how to hold these institutions accountable.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in North Carolina
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:
Step 1: Get Medical Help
- If your child is injured, go to the ER or a doctor immediately
- Document all injuries (take photos, keep medical records)
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked—some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) take time to appear
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Take screenshots of all texts, GroupMe messages, social media posts about hazing
- Save photos/videos from hazing incidents
- Write down witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
- Keep all physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront fraternity/sorority leaders – They may destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses
- Do not sign anything from the organization or university
- Do not post about the incident on social media – Anything you say can be used against you
Step 4: Report to Authorities (Optional but Recommended)
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in North Carolina)
- Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable)
- Contact the national fraternity/sorority (they may have reporting requirements)
Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney
- Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options
- No upfront fees – We work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
💰 Compensation Available for Sampson County Hazing Victims
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to financial compensation for:
| Type of Compensation | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, medications, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work, lost job opportunities | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Educational Damages | Tuition loss, scholarship impact, academic decline | $20,000 – $200,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (like waterboarding) | $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+ |
Recent hazing cases have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
Sampson County families deserve the same justice.
🏛️ North Carolina Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know
North Carolina has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35, hazing is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
North Carolina Hazing Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35)
“Hazing” means any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of whether they consent.
Key Points:
- Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal
- Universities can be held liable – If they knew or should have known about hazing
- Criminal charges are possible – Individuals and organizations can be prosecuted
If your child was hazed in North Carolina, they have legal rights. We can help you enforce them.
🎯 Why Sampson County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- We know how to build these cases and win big settlements
- We’re not just talking about hazing—we’re actively fighting it in court
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know how they minimize claims and deny liability
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation
3. Nationwide Experience – We Can Help Anywhere
- Federal court authority – We can sue national fraternities in federal court
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York (strategic for national litigation)
- We travel to Sampson County – For depositions, trials, and client meetings
4. No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee – We only get paid if we win your case
- No hourly billing – No surprise legal bills
- We take the risk – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
5. We Treat You Like Family
- We understand the emotional toll of hazing
- We’ll fight for you like we’re fighting for our own child
- We’ll keep you informed every step of the way
📞 Sampson County Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization in North Carolina—or anywhere in the country—we can help.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Sampson County families nationwide. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔥 Fraternities Near Sampson County: We’re Watching You
To the fraternities operating near Sampson County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and others—we have a message:
“We know what you’re doing. We’re tracking your chapters. We’ve sued your national organizations before, and we’ll do it again. If you haze students near Sampson County, we will hold you accountable. The $10 million lawsuit we filed against Pi Kappa Phi is just the beginning.”
Enough is enough. The hazing stops now.
📢 Share This with Sampson County Families Who Need Help
If you know a Sampson County family whose child has been hazed, share this page with them. Many victims don’t realize they have legal rights. Many are too afraid to speak up.
Together, we can stop hazing in North Carolina.
🏆 Sampson County Families: You Deserve Justice. We’ll Fight for You.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. The consultation is free, and we don’t get paid unless we win.
