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Sharkey County (Earth/North America/United States/Mississippi/Sharkey County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 β€” The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 16 min read
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Here is the complete, publication-ready, location-optimized marketing content for Sharkey County, Mississippi hazing victims and families:

🚨 Hazing Lawyers in Sharkey County, MS – We Fight for Victims of Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Sharkey County families: If your child was hazed at a college or university near Sharkey County, you have legal rights. We can help.

At Attorney 911, we are nationally recognized hazing litigation experts currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for the systematic abuse of a student who ended up in the hospital with kidney failure from hazing. The same fraternities and sororities operate at colleges and universities near Sharkey County. The same negligence exists at Mississippi institutions. And we will fight for Sharkey County families with the same aggression.

πŸ“ž Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
πŸ“§ Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

We serve Sharkey County and all of Mississippi. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

πŸ›οΈ The Hazing Crisis in Mississippi – Sharkey County Families Are at Risk

Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “boys being boys.” It is not “building brotherhood.”

It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture. And it happens at colleges and universities near Sharkey County, Mississippi.

What is Happening to Students Near Sharkey County?

Students at colleges and universities near Sharkey County are being subjected to:

βœ… Waterboarding – Simulated drowning with hoses
βœ… Forced alcohol consumption – Drinking until vomiting or passing out
βœ… Extreme physical punishment – 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls until collapse
βœ… Beatings with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons
βœ… Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive members at all hours, leading to exhaustion
βœ… Psychological torture – Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
βœ… Forced eating – Consuming milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
βœ… Sexual humiliation – Forced to carry objects of sexual nature, nudity in public

The result?

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones
  • PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Death

Sharkey County Families: This Is Happening Near You

The same national fraternities and sororities that hazed our client in Houston have active chapters at colleges and universities near Sharkey County, including:

  • Delta State University (Cleveland, MS – ~90 miles from Sharkey County)
  • Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, MS – ~100 miles from Sharkey County)
  • University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (Oxford, MS – ~150 miles from Sharkey County)
  • Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS – ~160 miles from Sharkey County)
  • Jackson State University (Jackson, MS – ~120 miles from Sharkey County)
  • Alcorn State University (Lorman, MS – ~130 miles from Sharkey County)

These institutions have Greek organizations with the same hazing cultures we’re fighting in Texas. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Sharkey County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

πŸ’” Our Current Case: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi – What This Means for Sharkey County Families

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed at the University of Houston. The fraternity subjected him to:

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
  • 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed
  • Being struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
  • Sleep deprivation and exhaustion from driving fraternity members at all hours

This happened in Houston. But the same hazing happens at colleges near Sharkey County.

Why This Case Matters for Sharkey County Families

  1. Pi Kappa Phi Has 150+ Chapters Nationwide – Including Near Sharkey County

    • The same national organization that allowed this to happen in Houston operates near Sharkey County.
    • If they hazed a student in Texas, they can haze students in Mississippi.
  2. Universities Near Sharkey County Face the Same Liability Failures

    • The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
    • Universities near Sharkey County have the same power to regulate Greek life – and the same duty to protect students.
  3. This Fraternity Has a History of Deadly Hazing

    • In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University from forced alcohol consumption.
    • The national organization had 8 years to fix their culture – and they did nothing.
    • Now, Leonel Bermudez has been hospitalized. Same fraternity. Same negligence.
  4. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now – And We’ll Fight for Sharkey County Families Too

    • We filed a $10 million lawsuit on November 21, 2025.
    • The fraternity closed their chapter immediately – proving they knew they were liable.
    • This is not theoretical. We are in the fight RIGHT NOW.
    • Sharkey County families get the same aggressive representation.

βš–οΈ Mississippi Hazing Laws – What Sharkey County Families Need to Know

Mississippi Hazing Law (Miss. Code Ann. Β§ 97-3-105)

In Mississippi, hazing is a criminal offense. The law defines hazing as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, or a former student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, and in which both of the following apply:
(a) The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization that is affiliated with an educational institution; and
(b) The act contributes to a substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation or causes physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation.”

Penalties for Hazing in Mississippi:

  • Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine
  • Felony: If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty increases to up to 5 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine

Consent is NOT a Defense
Mississippi law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal.

Civil Liability for Hazing in Mississippi

In addition to criminal charges, Sharkey County families can sue for financial compensation through a civil lawsuit. You can pursue damages for:

Type of Damage Examples Potential Compensation
Medical Expenses Hospital bills, ER visits, rehabilitation, therapy $50,000 – $500,000+
Lost Wages Time missed from work, lost internship opportunities $10,000 – $100,000+
Pain and Suffering Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma from abuse $100,000 – $1,000,000+
Mental Anguish PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation $100,000 – $1,000,000+
Punitive Damages Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, beatings) $500,000 – $5,000,000+
Wrongful Death If hazing results in death, compensation for loss of life $1,000,000 – $10,000,000+

Our $10 million demand in the Pi Kappa Phi case is in line with national hazing verdicts. Sharkey County families can pursue the same level of compensation.

πŸ’° Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions – Sharkey County Families Can Too

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Here’s what other families have won:

Case Fraternity University Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Pi Kappa Alpha Bowling Green State Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Phi Delta Theta Louisiana State Jury Verdict $6.1 million
Timothy Piazza Beta Theta Pi Penn State Settlement $110+ million
Andrew Coffey Pi Kappa Phi Florida State Settlement Confidential (major)
Adam Oakes Delta Chi Virginia Commonwealth Settlement $4+ million

What This Means for Sharkey County Families:

  • Juries award millions for hazing victims – even when the victim survives.
  • Universities and national fraternities pay – they have deep pockets and insurance.
  • Punitive damages are awarded when conduct is egregious (e.g., waterboarding, beatings).
  • Sharkey County families can win the same compensation.

🏒 Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Sharkey County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held liable. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted the hazing
National Organization Failed to supervise chapter despite knowing about “hazing crisis”
University Failed to protect students despite prior hazing incidents
Chapter Officers Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities
Individual Members Participated in hazing; failed to stop it
Former Members Hosted hazing at their residence
Insurance Companies Coverage for institutional liability

Sharkey County families can sue the same defendants for hazing near Mississippi colleges.

πŸ“‹ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Sharkey County

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Sharkey County, take these steps immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
  • Rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
  • Medical records are critical evidence for your case.

2. Preserve All Evidence

  • Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing.
  • Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails).
  • Document witness names and contact information.
  • Do NOT delete anything – even if it’s embarrassing.

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

  • They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence.
  • Do NOT sign anything without consulting an attorney.
  • Do NOT give statements to university officials or insurance companies.

4. Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

  • Statute of limitations: You typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit in Mississippi.
  • Evidence disappears quickly – witnesses forget, messages get deleted, organizations cover up.
  • The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

πŸ“ž Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911
πŸ“§ Email: ralph@atty911.com

🎯 Why Sharkey County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

  • We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston on November 21, 2025.
  • This is not theoretical – we are in the fight RIGHT NOW.
  • Sharkey County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Nationally Recognized Hazing Experts

  • Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of litigation experience, including high-profile hazing cases.
  • Lupe Pena is a former national insurance defense attorney – he knows how the other side thinks.
  • We have specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis cases (like our current client’s kidney failure).

3. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions

  • We’ve taken on universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies – and won.
  • Our experience includes:
    • BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort against corporate defendant)
    • Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts
    • Federal court authority (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)

4. We Travel to Sharkey County for Your Case

  • While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Sharkey County.
  • We offer video consultations for Sharkey County families.
  • We will travel to Sharkey County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

5. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

  • You pay nothing upfront.
  • We only get paid if we win your case.
  • If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

6. We Understand the Culture of Hazing

  • Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach – he understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that lead to hazing.
  • We know how fraternities and sororities operate.
  • We know how universities fail to protect students.

7. We Protect Our Clients from Retaliation

  • Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out.
  • We understand the intimidation culture of Greek organizations.
  • We will protect your privacy and shield you from retaliation.

πŸ“ž Sharkey County Families: Contact Us Now – Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Sharkey County, you have legal rights. We can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the compensation your family deserves.

πŸ“ž Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911
πŸ“§ Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

Free, confidential consultation. No obligation. No upfront costs.

🚫 Fraternities and Sororities Near Sharkey County: We Are Watching

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Sharkey County:

We are watching. We are coming. And we will hold you accountable.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

  • Pi Kappa Phi paid after Andrew Coffey’s death – now they’re paying again.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon paid after a student suffered chemical burns.
  • Phi Delta Theta paid $6.1 million after Maxwell Gruver’s death.

Your chapter could be next.

If you haze students near Sharkey County, we will:

  • Sue your chapter, your national organization, and every individual involved.
  • Pursue every insurance policy you have.
  • Demand punitive damages for egregious conduct.
  • Make sure you never haze again.

The message is clear: Hazing costs millions. We have the receipts. And we are not afraid to use them.

πŸ“’ Share This with Sharkey County Families Who Need Help

Hazing is often hidden. Victims are afraid to speak out. Share this page with Sharkey County parents, students, and educators to help spread awareness.

Know someone who was hazed near Sharkey County?
πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911
πŸ“§ ralph@atty911.com

πŸ† Attorney 911 – Sharkey County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

We don’t just talk about hazing. We fight it in court. And we win.

πŸ“ Serving Sharkey County and all of Mississippi
πŸ“ž 1-888-ATTY-911
πŸ“§ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

Sharkey County families: If your child was hazed, we can help. Call now.

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