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

February 25, 2026 11 min read
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🚨 Hazing Victims in Stewart County, Tennessee: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Attorney 911 β€” Serving Stewart County Hazing Victims Nationwide

πŸ›οΈ The Hazing Crisis Has Reached Stewart County

Stewart 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 positive experiences.

But the reality is stark: hazing is happening at universities near Stewart County right now. The same fraternities that have killed students nationwide operate chapters in Tennessee and surrounding states. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston are being forced on students in your community.

This isn’t just happening elsewhere. This is happening to Stewart County students.

πŸ“° The Case That Proves It Can Happen Here: $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being subjected to:

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose β€” simulated drowning
  • Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
  • Struck with wooden paddles
  • Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep running
  • Threatened with expulsion if he stopped

He spent 4 days in the hospital fighting for his life.

This happened in 2025 β€” not decades ago. This is happening now.

And it’s happening at universities near Stewart County.

⚠️ Why Stewart County Families Are at Risk

  1. The Same Fraternities Operate Near Stewart County

    • Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others have chapters at Tennessee universities
    • These same organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths nationwide
    • The “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at Stewart County-area fraternities
  2. Universities Near Stewart County Have the Same Oversight Failures

    • The University of Houston owned the house where our client was tortured
    • They had a prior hazing hospitalization in 2017 and did nothing
    • Universities near Stewart County face the same liability when they fail to protect students
  3. Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines

    • Hazing is a national epidemic
    • 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
    • Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in America
  4. Stewart County Victims Face the Same Fears

    • Our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution”
    • Stewart County victims fear social retaliation, expulsion, or worse
    • We protect our clients β€” no one will know you’re working with us unless you want them to

πŸ” What Counts as Hazing in Tennessee?

Tennessee law defines hazing as any intentional or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.

This includes:

Category Examples
Physical Abuse Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
Forced Consumption Alcohol, drugs, food, non-food substances (e.g., eating until vomiting)
Sleep Deprivation Forced late-night activities, early morning demands
Psychological Abuse Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation
Sexual Abuse Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
Waterboarding Simulated drowning (as seen in our Houston case)
Exposure Cold weather exposure, heat exposure, confined spaces
Servitude Forced cleaning, driving, errands for members

If you or your child experienced any of these at a Stewart County-area university, you may have a case.

βš–οΈ Your Legal Rights as a Stewart County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue Even if You “Consented”

  • Tennessee law says consent is NOT a defense to hazing
  • Fraternities will argue “you agreed to participate”
  • The law says that doesn’t matter β€” hazing is illegal regardless of consent

2. Multiple Parties Can Be Held Liable

In our Houston case, we’re suing:

  • The local fraternity chapter
  • The national organization
  • The university
  • Individual members
  • Former members who hosted hazing
  • The spouse of a former member

Stewart County families can pursue the same defendants.

3. You Can Recover Compensation for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages (if you missed work)
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
  • Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
  • Educational disruption (if you had to transfer or drop out)

4. The Clock Is Ticking

  • Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims
  • Evidence disappears quickly
  • Witnesses forget
  • Contact us immediately to protect your rights

πŸ’° What Your Stewart County Hazing Case Could Be Worth

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

Case University Fraternity Outcome
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha $10.1 million settlement
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta $6.1 million jury verdict
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi $110+ million settlement
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Confidential settlement
Tucker Hipps Clemson Sigma Phi Epsilon $500,000+ settlement

Our $10 million demand in the Houston case is directly in line with these precedents.

Stewart County victims can achieve the same results.

πŸ₯ Medical Consequences of Hazing β€” What Stewart County Families Need to Know

Hazing doesn’t just cause emotional trauma β€” it causes serious, life-threatening physical injuries.

Rhabdomyolysis (Like Our Client)

  • What it is: Breakdown of muscle tissue that releases toxins into the bloodstream
  • Causes: Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, 100+ pushups)
  • Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, dark/brown urine, inability to move
  • Complications: Acute kidney failure, cardiac arrest, death

Alcohol Poisoning

  • What it is: Potentially fatal overdose of alcohol
  • Causes: Forced binge drinking
  • Symptoms: Unconsciousness, slow breathing, blue skin, vomiting while passed out
  • Complications: Death, brain damage

Traumatic Brain Injury

  • What it is: Brain damage from blows to the head
  • Causes: Beatings, falls, paddling
  • Symptoms: Headaches, confusion, memory loss, mood changes
  • Complications: Permanent cognitive impairment

Psychological Trauma

  • PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Trust issues and social withdrawal

These injuries can have lifelong consequences. Stewart County victims deserve compensation for both the physical and emotional harm.

πŸ“‹ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Stewart County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
  • Document everything medically
  • Request copies of all records

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

DO:

  • Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
  • Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
  • Document the location where hazing occurred
  • Write down names of witnesses
  • Keep a journal of what happened and how it affected you

DON’T:

  • Delete any messages or posts
  • Talk to the fraternity or university without legal counsel
  • Sign anything from the organization
  • Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Contact an Attorney Immediately

  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
  • We offer video consultations for Stewart County families
  • $0 upfront cost β€” we work on contingency (we don’t get paid unless you win)
  • We travel to Stewart County for depositions and meetings

Step 4: Report to Authorities (Optional)

  • Consider filing a police report
  • File a Title IX complaint if applicable
  • Report to university administration (with your attorney present)

πŸ›‘οΈ How Attorney 911 Protects Stewart County Victims

1. We Understand the Culture

  • We know how Greek organizations operate
  • We know their playbook for intimidating victims
  • We know how to counter their defenses

2. We Have Proven Results

  • Currently litigating a $10 million hazing case
  • Recovered millions for personal injury victims
  • Former insurance defense attorneys β€” we know how they think

3. We Serve Stewart County Families

  • Federal court authority β€” we can pursue cases nationwide
  • Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
  • Video consultations available
  • We travel to Stewart County for your case

4. We Protect Your Privacy

  • No one will know you’re working with us unless you want them to
  • We handle all communications with defendants
  • You focus on healing β€” we handle the legal fight

5. We Fight for Maximum Compensation

  • We pursue all liable parties β€” not just individuals
  • We seek punitive damages for egregious conduct
  • We don’t accept lowball settlement offers

🎯 Who We Can Sue for Stewart County Hazing Victims

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Organization Failed to supervise despite pattern of hazing
University Failed to protect students; premises liability
Individual Members Participated in or failed to stop hazing
Former Members Hosted hazing at their homes
Spouses of Members Allowed hazing on their property
Insurance Companies Provide
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