🚨 Hazing Victims in Stokes County: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

Stokes County Families: This Is Happening Near You — And We Can Help

If you’re reading this, you may be a student at a local college or university, or a parent whose child is involved in Greek life, athletics, or another student organization in Stokes County, North Carolina. You’ve likely heard about hazing incidents at schools across the country — and you should know that the same dangerous traditions exist right here in Stokes County.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas — it’s happening at universities near Stokes County, and we’re here to help Stokes County families fight back.

You are not alone. You have rights. And we will travel to Stokes County to fight for you.

What Is Hazing? — And Why It’s Illegal in North Carolina

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation rituals” — it’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture disguised as tradition. In North Carolina, hazing is illegal under state law, and victims can sue for damages.

North Carolina Hazing Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-35)

Under North Carolina law, hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student against another student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.”

This includes:

• Physical abuse (beatings, forced exercise, paddling)
• Psychological torture (humiliation, sleep deprivation)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, or other substances)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Any activity that endangers mental or physical health

North Carolina law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held legally responsible.

How Hazing Happens in Stokes County — And What It Looks Like

Hazing isn’t limited to fraternities. It happens in:

• Fraternities and sororities (including those with chapters near Stokes County)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, wrestling, and more)
• Marching bands and ROTC programs
• Honor societies and student clubs
• Military-style organizations

Real Hazing Incidents That Could Happen in Stokes County

Based on our current case and documented incidents nationwide, here’s what hazing looks like in North Carolina:

This is not “tradition.” This is not “team bonding.” This is abuse — and it’s happening at schools near Stokes County.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Stokes County?

If your child has been hazed, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity, Sorority, Team, etc.)

• The individuals who planned and carried out the hazing
• The chapter president, pledge master, or team captain
• All members who participated or witnessed and did nothing

2. The National Organization

• National fraternities/sororities have millions in assets and insurance
• They are responsible for supervising local chapters
• They often know about hazing but fail to stop it (as seen in our Pi Kappa Phi case)

3. The University or College

• Schools have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm
• If they knew or should have known about hazing, they can be held liable
• Many universities own fraternity/sorority houses, increasing their responsibility

4. Individual Perpetrators

• Every person who participated in hazing can be sued personally
• This includes former members and alumni who hosted hazing events

5. Insurance Companies

• National organizations and universities carry liability insurance
• Homeowners’ insurance may cover injuries that occurred off-campus

What Damages Can Stokes County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families can pursue both economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills (ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, rehabilitation)
• Future medical costs (if injuries require long-term treatment)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work due to injuries)
• Educational disruption (tuition refunds, lost scholarships)
• Property damage (if personal items were destroyed during hazing)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
• Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
• Disfigurement (scars, burns, or permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)

In cases of egregious misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing. This is especially likely if:

• The hazing involved torture (waterboarding, simulated drowning)
• The organization knew about prior incidents and did nothing
• The university failed to enforce its own anti-hazing policies

Our current hazing case seeks $10 million — and we will fight for the same justice for Stokes County families.

What Should Stokes County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what to do immediately:

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately
• Medical records are critical evidence in your case

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails)
• Document witness names (other pledges, teammates, bystanders)
• Keep all physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Without a Lawyer

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative
• They may pressure your child to sign documents or give statements
• Anything your child says can be used against them in court

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
• We will travel to Stokes County to meet with you
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case

Why Stokes County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know how to build these cases from the ground up
• We have insider knowledge of how fraternities and universities operate

2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Defendants

• We’ve taken on national fraternities, major universities, and insurance companies
• We have 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• We’re former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook

3. We Will Travel to Stokes County

• We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide
• We will come to Stokes County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• We offer video consultations for Stokes County families who can’t travel

4. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs

• You pay nothing unless we win your case
• We advance all case expenses (court fees, expert witnesses, etc.)
• If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds
• We offer bilingual legal services for Spanish-speaking families
• No language barriers — we’re here to help all Stokes County families

The Clock Is Ticking — North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations

In North Carolina, you typically have 3 years from the date of injury to file a hazing lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly, and the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Attorney 911 today.

Stokes County Families: You Have the Power to Stop This

Hazing doesn’t stop unless victims and families stand up and fight back. Our client in Houston is doing just that — and we’re ready to bring the same fight to Stokes County.

What Your Case Could Accomplish:

✅ Hold the abusers accountable — criminal charges and civil liability
✅ Force the university to implement real oversight — no more empty “anti-hazing” policies
✅ Send a message to national organizations — hazing will cost them millions
✅ Protect future students — your case could save lives

Call Attorney 911 Today — Free Consultation for Stokes County Families

If your child has been hazed in Stokes County, we are ready to fight for you. Call us 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now — and we’ll fight for Stokes County families too.

Stokes County Parents: Ask Yourself These Questions

• Does your child seem more anxious, depressed, or withdrawn after joining a group?
• Have they missed classes, work, or social events due to exhaustion or injuries?
• Have they refused to talk about initiation rituals or seemed afraid?
• Have you noticed bruises, cuts, or other unexplained injuries?
• Have they been forced to drink alcohol or consume food until they got sick?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, your child may be a victim of hazing. Call us immediately.

The Same Fraternities Operate Near Stokes County — And They’re Watching

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other national fraternities have chapters at universities near Stokes County. The same organizations that:

• Waterboarded our client in Houston
• Killed Andrew Coffey at Florida State
• Hospitalized Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State

They’re watching our $10 million lawsuit. They know what’s coming. And they know Stokes County families are next.

Don’t let them get away with it. Call Attorney 911 today.

Stokes County Universities and Colleges: You’re On Notice

If your institution has Greek life, athletic teams, or student organizations, you have a duty to protect your students. If you fail — like the University of Houston did — you will be held accountable.

We are coming for every university, every fraternity, and every individual who enables hazing culture in Stokes County.

Final Message to Stokes County Families

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “team bonding.”

It’s abuse. It’s assault. And it’s illegal.

If your child has been hazed, you have the power to stop it. You have the power to hold the abusers accountable. And you have the power to protect the next student.

Call Attorney 911 today. We’re ready to fight for Stokes County.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com

Enough is enough. The fight starts now.