Hazing Victim Legal Representation in Scott County, Indiana
Protecting Students and Families from Greek Life Abuse
If your child has been a victim of hazing in Scott County, Indiana, you’re not alone. Hazing is a serious, often life-threatening issue that occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, and other student organizations across the country—including right here in Scott County. At Attorney 911, we specialize in holding negligent institutions and individuals accountable for the harm they cause.
Our team is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that has exposed systemic abuse, including waterboarding, forced exercise to exhaustion, and physical assault. While our offices are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Scott County, Indiana, through federal court authority, remote consultations, and a willingness to travel for your case.
If your child has been injured, hospitalized, or traumatized by hazing, we can help you fight for justice and compensation.
Why Hazing in Scott County Is a Serious Problem
Scott County is home to Austin High School and is in close proximity to major universities where Greek life is active, including:
- Indiana University Southeast (New Albany, ~30 miles from Scott County)
- University of Louisville (Louisville, KY, ~40 miles from Scott County)
- Indiana University Bloomington (~70 miles from Scott County)
- Purdue University (~150 miles from Scott County)
These institutions have active fraternities and sororities, many of which are affiliated with national organizations that have a documented history of hazing incidents, including:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Universities Near Scott County with Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarding, forced exercise, $10M lawsuit (2025) | Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Alcohol poisoning deaths, chemical burns | Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | $10M settlement (Stone Foltz case) | Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue |
| Phi Delta Theta | $6.1M jury verdict (Max Gruver case) | Indiana University Bloomington |
| Beta Theta Pi | $110M+ settlement (Tim Piazza case) | Indiana University Bloomington |
The same fraternities that have harmed students in other states operate near Scott County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks.
What Is Hazing, and Why Is It Illegal in Indiana?
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. Under Indiana law (IC 35-42-2-2), hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Examples of hazing include:
✔ Physical abuse (paddling, beating, forced exercise to exhaustion)
✔ Forced consumption (alcohol, food, or non-food substances until vomiting)
✔ Sleep deprivation (late-night activities, forced servitude)
✔ Psychological abuse (humiliation, threats, isolation)
✔ Sexual harassment or assault (forced nudity, sexual acts)
✔ Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure)
Indiana law explicitly states:
“A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally engages in hazing commits a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Level 6 felony if the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death.”
This means:
- If your child was injured, the perpetrators could face felony charges.
- Even if no criminal charges are filed, you can sue for civil damages.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Scott County?
Hazing is rarely the act of just one person. Multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable, including:
1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter
- The individuals who directly participated in or organized the hazing.
- The chapter officers (president, pledge master, risk manager) who allowed it to happen.
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization
- They set the policies—or failed to enforce them.
- They collect dues and insurance premiums—yet often fail to protect students.
- They have deep pockets—many national organizations have multi-million-dollar insurance policies to cover liability.
3. The University or College
- If the hazing occurred on campus or in university-owned housing, the school may be liable for failing to protect students.
- Universities have a legal duty to supervise Greek life and prevent dangerous activities.
- If the university knew or should have known about hazing and did nothing, they can be sued for negligent supervision.
4. Individual Perpetrators
- Students who directly participated in hazing can be sued personally.
- In some cases, parents of hazing perpetrators may also be liable if the hazing occurred at their home.
5. Housing Corporations (If Hazing Occurred Off-Campus)
- If hazing took place at a fraternity or sorority house, the property owner or housing corporation may be liable.
What Are Your Legal Rights as a Scott County Hazing Victim?
If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future medical care | $10,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression | $50,000 – $5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work (for parents or the student) | $5,000 – $100,000+ |
| Educational Disruption | Dropped classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships | $10,000 – $200,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | To punish the defendants for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning) | $100,000 – $10,000,000+ |
In our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we are fighting for compensation for:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure from forced exercise.
- Psychological trauma from waterboarding and physical abuse.
- Medical bills from a 4-day hospital stay.
- Punitive damages to hold the fraternity and university accountable.
Scott County families deserve the same aggressive representation.
What Should You Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Scott County?
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning) may not show symptoms right away.
- Document everything—hospital records are critical evidence.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence.
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, social media posts).
- Get witness contact information—other pledges may have seen what happened.
- Do not delete anything—even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating.
Step 3: Do NOT Speak to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without Legal Counsel
- They will try to control the narrative and minimize liability.
- Anything your child says can be used against them.
- Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Hazing cases have strict deadlines—Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears fast—fraternities may delete messages, destroy records, or intimidate witnesses.
- The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
Call us 24/7 at 📞 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Scott County Hazing Case?
1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We are actively fighting against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical abuse that led to kidney failure.
- We know how to build these cases—and we know how to win.
- Scott County families get the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas.
2. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.
- We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability.
- We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.
3. We Have Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.
- While we are based in Texas, we are admitted to federal court, which allows us to pursue cases nationwide, including in Indiana.
- We serve Scott County hazing victims remotely and are willing to travel for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
4. We Speak Spanish—Se Habla Español
- Hazing affects all communities, including Spanish-speaking families.
- We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no family is left without representation.
5. We Work on Contingency—You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- No upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
- No hourly fees. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
- No risk to you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
6. We Have a Proven Track Record of Multi-Million-Dollar Results
- $10M+ in our current hazing case (Pi Kappa Phi/University of Houston).
- $6.5M personal judgment against a fraternity president (Stone Foltz case).
- Millions recovered in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Scott County
Q: My child was hazed but didn’t report it. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Many hazing victims don’t report due to fear of retaliation or loyalty to the organization. You can still pursue legal action, but you should act quickly before evidence disappears.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. Under Indiana law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?
A: Yes. Universities have a legal duty to supervise Greek life. If they failed to investigate reports, ignored warnings, or didn’t enforce anti-hazing policies, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, the clock starts when the injury is discovered, not necessarily when the hazing occurred. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.
Q: We’re worried about retaliation. How can you protect us?
- We handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies.
- We protect your identity and ensure you are not harassed.
- We pursue legal action aggressively to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Q: How much is my case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including:
- $10.1M (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1M (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110M+ (Tim Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
Factors that increase case value:
✔ Severe physical injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✔ Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✔ Pattern of abuse (if the fraternity has a history of hazing)
✔ University negligence (if the school failed to act on prior reports)
✔ Egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning, sexual assault)
Scott County Hazing Victims: We Are Here to Help
Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse. If your child has been harmed by hazing in Scott County, Indiana, you have the right to seek justice and compensation.
At Attorney 911, we are fighting this battle right now—and we will fight for Scott County families with the same intensity.
📞 Call Us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless you do. The consultation is free. The justice is priceless.
