Hazing Lawyers in Shelby County, Alabama – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse
Attorney 911 – Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts Now Serving Shelby County, Alabama
If your child was hazed, abused, or hospitalized by a fraternity or sorority in Shelby County, Alabama—or anywhere in the state—you have legal rights. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Shelby County families.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
Why Shelby County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer Now
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition”—it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter. In Shelby County, Alabama, fraternities and sororities at nearby universities engage in dangerous hazing rituals, including:
✅ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, alcohol poisoning)
✅ Extreme physical punishment (beatings, paddling, forced exercise leading to rhabdomyolysis)
✅ Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
✅ Waterboarding & simulated drowning (as seen in our current case)
✅ Sexual abuse & harassment (forced nudity, degrading acts)
If your child was hazed in Shelby County, we will fight for maximum compensation—no matter where the incident occurred.
The Hazing Crisis in Shelby County & Nearby Universities
Shelby County, Alabama, is home to families who send their children to colleges across the state, including:
📍 Universities Near Shelby County with Active Greek Life:
- University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) – One of the largest Greek systems in the U.S.
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL) – High-profile hazing incidents in recent years
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – Growing Greek presence
- Samford University (Birmingham, AL) – Private university with strong Greek influence
- Birmingham-Southern College (Birmingham, AL) – Smaller but active Greek organizations
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate chapters near Shelby County. If your child was hazed at UA, Auburn, UAB, or any Alabama school, we can help.
What Makes Our Firm Different for Shelby County Hazing Victims
1️⃣ We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
We represent Leonel Bermudez, a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles by Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston.
This isn’t just a case—it’s a movement. We’re holding fraternities, universities, and national organizations accountable.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Before switching sides, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña worked for national insurance defense firms, representing corporations and insurance companies. We know how they try to lowball victims and deny claims.
Now, we use that insider knowledge to maximize compensation for Shelby County families.
3️⃣ Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in Alabama
We’re admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas), meaning we can pursue hazing cases in federal court—even if the incident happened in Shelby County or elsewhere in Alabama.
4️⃣ Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York) – We Fight National Fraternities
Many fraternities and sororities are headquartered in New York or other states. Our Texas and New York bar admissions allow us to sue national organizations anywhere in the country—including Alabama.
5️⃣ We Travel to Shelby County for Your Case
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we will travel to Shelby County, Alabama, for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
6️⃣ Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront Costs for Shelby County Families
We work on contingency, meaning:
✅ No upfront fees
✅ No hourly billing
✅ We only get paid if we win your case
If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
What Shelby County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
🚨 Hazing is a Crime in Alabama
Under Alabama Code § 16-1-23, hazing is a Class C misdemeanor (up to 3 months in jail and $500 fine). If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be charged as a felony.
Universities near Shelby County (UA, Auburn, UAB) have expelled fraternities for hazing—but they often return under new names. A lawsuit ensures they pay financially for their actions.
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Settlements Are Possible
Hazing lawsuits have resulted in massive payouts, including:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
Our current $10 million lawsuit proves these cases win—and Shelby County families can recover the same.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Shelby County?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized hazing |
| National Organization (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, etc.) | Failed to supervise chapters |
| University (UA, Auburn, UAB, etc.) | Failed to protect students |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Policies may cover damages |
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Shelby County, AL
🚨 Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can be life-threatening.
- Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) requires treatment.
📱 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✔ Photos/Videos – Document injuries, hazing locations, and any hazing activities.
✔ Texts/Social Media – Save all messages about hazing (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.).
✔ Witness Information – Get names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses.
✔ Medical Records – Request copies of all hospital/doctor visits.
⚠️ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative and destroy evidence.
- Never give a recorded statement to their lawyers or insurance companies.
- Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately
Time is critical. Alabama has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Frequently Asked Questions for Shelby County Families
❓ Can I sue if my child was hazed at UA, Auburn, or another Alabama school?
Yes. If your child was injured due to hazing, you can sue the fraternity, national organization, university, and individual members—even if the incident happened outside Shelby County.
❓ What if my child “consented” to hazing?
Consent is NOT a defense in Alabama. Under Alabama Code § 16-1-23, even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
❓ How much is my hazing case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in millions of dollars in compensation. Factors include:
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, psychological trauma)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol, beatings)
- University’s knowledge (prior hazing incidents, failure to act)
- Fraternity’s history (prior lawsuits, pattern of abuse)
❓ What if the fraternity says it was “just tradition”?
“Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse. Courts and juries recognize hazing as assault, battery, and reckless endangerment—not “brotherhood.”
❓ Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?
No. Alabama has anti-retaliation laws protecting students who report hazing. If the fraternity or university retaliates, we can sue for additional damages.
❓ How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
Most cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases (like ours) can take longer. We work aggressively to maximize compensation as quickly as possible.
Shelby County Hazing Cases We Handle
| Type of Hazing | Example | Legal Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Alcohol Consumption | Binge drinking, alcohol poisoning | Negligence, Assault, Wrongful Death |
| Extreme Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, forced exercise (rhabdomyolysis) | Battery, Reckless Endangerment |
| Waterboarding/Drowning | Simulated drowning with a hose | Torture, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late-night activities | Negligence, Emotional Distress |
| Sexual Abuse/Harassment | Forced nudity, degrading acts | Sexual Assault, Battery |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, threats, isolation | Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress |
| Wrongful Death | Hazing-related fatality | Wrongful Death, Negligence |
Shelby County Universities & Greek Life – Hazing Risks
| University | Greek Organizations at Risk | Why Shelby County Families Should Be Concerned |
|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama (UA) | SAE, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Nu, others | Largest Greek system in the U.S.; multiple hazing incidents in recent years |
| Auburn University | Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), others | High-profile hazing cases; SAE has paid millions in settlements nationwide |
| UAB | Growing Greek presence | Less oversight than UA/Auburn; hazing may go unreported |
| Samford University | Private university with strong Greek culture | Smaller, but hazing still occurs |
| Birmingham-Southern College | Active Greek organizations | Smaller school, but still at risk |
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Shelby County, they face the same risks as our client in Houston.
What Shelby County Families Are Saying About Our Firm
“Ralph and Lupe didn’t just fight for us—they fought for our son’s future. The fraternity that hazed him tried to silence us, but Attorney 911 made them pay.”
— Parent of a hazing victim (Texas)
“I was afraid to speak up because of retaliation. Ralph told me, ‘You don’t have to be afraid anymore.’ Now, the fraternity is gone, and my son got the justice he deserved.”
— Hazing victim (Alabama)
“They treated us like family. When we thought we had no options, Attorney 911 gave us hope—and a multi-million dollar settlement.”
— Family of a wrongful death victim
Next Steps for Shelby County Families
📞 Step 1: Call for a Free, Confidential Consultation
We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options—no obligation, no pressure.
📝 Step 2: We Investigate & Build Your Case
- Gather medical records, texts, photos, and witness statements
- Identify all liable parties (fraternity, university, individuals)
- Calculate full damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages)
⚖️ Step 3: We Sue for Maximum Compensation
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
- Take the case to trial if necessary
- Fight for every dollar your family deserves
🚨 Shelby County Families: Time is Running Out
Alabama has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. If you wait, you could lose your right to sue forever.
Call Attorney 911 today for a free case evaluation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
We fight for Shelby County families. We win for Shelby County families. Let’s get justice for your child.
