π¨ Hazing Victims in Stewart County, Tennessee: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back
Attorney 911 β Serving Stewart County Hazing Victims Nationwide
ποΈ 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.
π° 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.
β οΈ Why Stewart County Families Are at Risk
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
π 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.
βοΈ 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
π° 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.
π₯ 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.
π 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)
π‘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
π― 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 |