🚨 Hazing Lawyers for Sullivan County, Indiana Families — Attorney 911 Fights for Justice
Sullivan County Parents: Is Your Child Being Hazed at College?
If your child attends Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, or any other institution near Sullivan County, they may be at risk of dangerous hazing rituals. The same fraternities and organizations that have killed and hospitalized students nationwide operate right here in Indiana.
Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — proving that these organizations will pay when they harm students. Sullivan County families deserve the same aggressive representation.
📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
The Hazing Crisis in Indiana — It’s Closer Than You Think
Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas or Florida. It happens right here in Indiana — at universities near Sullivan County where your children go to school.
Indiana Hazing Incidents — Recent Cases:
| Year | University | Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Indiana University | Multiple fraternities suspended for hazing | Chapters closed |
| 2022 | Purdue University | Sigma Nu fraternity suspended for hazing | Chapter closed |
| 2021 | Ball State University | Multiple Greek organizations suspended for hazing | Chapters closed |
| 2019 | University of Notre Dame | Sigma Chi fraternity suspended for hazing | Chapter closed |
| Ongoing | Indiana State University | Hazing allegations in multiple organizations | Investigations ongoing |
The same fraternities that have killed students in other states — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi — have active chapters at Indiana universities near Sullivan County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Indiana, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
What Is Hazing? — The Truth Sullivan County Parents Need to Know
Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It isn’t “team bonding.” It isn’t “harmless fun.”
Hazing is abuse. It is assault. It is torture.
Types of Hazing Reported at Indiana Universities:
| Category | Examples | Medical Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion | Broken bones, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, death |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Alcohol poisoning, choking, aspiration, death |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide |
| Waterboarding/Simulated Drowning | Spraying with hoses, holding underwater | Drowning, panic attacks, PTSD |
| Exposure | Forced nudity in cold weather, confined spaces | Hypothermia, heat stroke, suffocation |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands | Exhaustion, sleep deprivation, accidents |
Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Sullivan County Parents Fear Most:
- Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure (like our Houston client)
- Acute Alcohol Poisoning — Can be fatal; BAC levels 5-6x legal limit
- Traumatic Brain Injury — From beatings or falls
- Hypothermia/Hyperthermia — From exposure to extreme temperatures
- Cardiac Arrest — From extreme physical exertion
- PTSD, Anxiety, Depression — Long-term psychological damage
- Death — At least one hazing death in America every year since 2000
The Hazing Case That Proves Sullivan County Families Can Win — $10 Million Lawsuit in Progress
📰 BREAKING: Attorney 911 vs. Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston — $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit
What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a prospective Pi Kappa Phi pledge at the University of Houston, was subjected to weeks of systematic abuse including:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Forced to continue running while in physical distress after vomiting
- Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing activities
The Result:
- Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
- Hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days
- Pi Kappa Phi chapter immediately closed (admitted “violations”)
- $10 million lawsuit filed by Attorney 911
Why This Matters for Sullivan County Families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide — including near Sullivan County
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Indiana universities
- Universities near Sullivan County face the same liability failures as UH
- If your child is being hazed in Indiana, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston
From Ralph Manginello to ABC13:
“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”
From Lupe Pena to ABC13:
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Sullivan County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible — and we pursue them all.
Defendants We Sue in Hazing Cases:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Sullivan County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Fraternity/sorority chapters at Indiana universities near Sullivan County |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, Sigma Chi — nationals with Indiana chapters |
| University | Failed to protect students; owned property where hazing occurred | Indiana State, Rose-Hulman, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, etc. |
| Individual Members | Participated in or allowed hazing | Chapter officers, pledgemasters, active members |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Fraternity/sorority house corporations |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Former members who facilitated abuse |
Sullivan County families: We sue everyone responsible — not just the students involved.
Indiana Hazing Laws — Your Legal Rights
Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 — Hazing
Definition:
A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally:
- Engages in hazing; or
- Facilitates hazing; or
- Knowingly or intentionally fails to report hazing
Penalty:
- Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail, $1,000 fine)
- If hazing results in serious bodily injury → Level 6 felony (6 months – 2.5 years in prison)
- If hazing results in death → Level 5 felony (1 – 6 years in prison)
Consent is NOT a Defense:
Indiana law explicitly states that consent of the victim is not a defense to hazing charges.
Civil Liability in Indiana
Sullivan County families can sue for:
- Negligence — Failure to protect students
- Assault & Battery — Physical abuse
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — Psychological harm
- Premises Liability — Hazing at fraternity houses
- Wrongful Death — If hazing results in death
Multi-Million Dollar Precedents — What Sullivan County Families Can Win
Hazing cases result in massive settlements and verdicts — proving that juries and courts take this seriously.
Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | $110+ million (estimated) |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Confidential settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
Sullivan County families: These results are possible for Indiana hazing victims too.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Indiana
Immediate Action Steps for Sullivan County Families:
-
GET MEDICAL ATTENTION
- If your child shows signs of injury (bruises, vomiting, confusion, brown urine), take them to the ER immediately
- Document all medical treatment
-
PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE
- Save all text messages, social media posts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails about hazing
- Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Document all hazing activities your child describes
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
-
DO NOT TALK TO THE FRATERNITY/SORORITY OR UNIVERSITY WITHOUT A LAWYER
- They will try to control the narrative
- Anything your child says can be used against them
- Let your attorney handle all communication
-
DO NOT POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA
- Anything posted can be used by the defense
- Avoid discussing the incident online
-
CALL ATTORNEY 911 IMMEDIATELY
- 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for Sullivan County families
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
Why Sullivan County Families Choose Attorney 911
We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Fight for Sullivan County Too
| Advantage | How We Help Sullivan County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across America |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | Know how insurance companies try to deny claims — we beat them at their own game |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue cases in federal court when needed |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses | Texas AND New York — strategic advantage against national fraternities |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Sullivan County families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case — same strategies for Indiana victims |
| Aggressive Representation | We don’t back down from powerful institutions |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront — you pay nothing unless we win your case |
| Willing to Travel | We come to Sullivan County for depositions, meetings, and trials |
Frequently Asked Questions — Sullivan County Hazing Cases
Q: My child was hazed at Indiana State University. Can you help even though you’re based in Texas?
A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Sullivan County and all of Indiana. Our federal court authority and willingness to travel mean distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that matter?
A: No. Indiana law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. The fraternity cannot use this argument to avoid liability.
Q: How much is my child’s hazing case worth?
A: Every case is different, but hazing cases typically result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Factors include:
- Severity of physical injuries
- Extent of psychological trauma
- Whether the university knew about prior hazing
- Strength of evidence
- Number of defendants
Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million — and we believe Sullivan County victims deserve the same.
Q: Will my child have to go to court?
A: Most hazing cases settle out of court. We negotiate aggressively to secure fair compensation without a trial. However, if the defendants refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the hazing incident. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We understand the fear of retaliation. Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward. We protect our clients’ identities and work to ensure their safety. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — we will protect your child too.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never have to worry about legal bills while your child recovers.
Q: What if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injury?
A: Even if there are no serious physical injuries, hazing can cause severe psychological trauma including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These injuries are real and compensable. We pursue damages for all harm caused by hazing.
Sullivan County Universities — Greek Organizations with Hazing Histories
The same fraternities and sororities that have killed and hospitalized students nationwide operate at universities near Sullivan County.
Indiana Universities Near Sullivan County with Greek Life:
| University | Location | Distance from Sullivan County | Notable Greek Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | ~20 miles | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, others |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | ~20 miles | Multiple fraternities and sororities |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN | ~15 miles | Multiple Greek organizations |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | ~80 miles | Multiple Greek organizations |
| University of Evansville | Evansville, IN | ~80 miles | Multiple Greek organizations |
| DePauw University | Greencastle, IN | ~70 miles | Sigma Chi (recent hazing suspensions) |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | ~120 miles | Sigma Nu (recent hazing suspensions) |
| Indiana University | Bloomington, IN | ~110 miles | Multiple fraternities (recent hazing suspensions) |
National Fraternities with Indiana Chapters and Hazing Histories:
| Fraternity | National Hazing History | Indiana Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey death (2017); Leonel Bermudez hospitalization (2025) | Indiana State University |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple hazing deaths; “The True Gentleman” policy failures | Indiana State University |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021) — $10.1 million settlement | Indiana State University |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple hazing suspensions nationwide; recent suspensions at DePauw | Indiana State University, DePauw University |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017) — $110+ million settlement | Purdue University |
Sullivan County parents: If your child is pledging any of these organizations, they are at risk.
The Message to Indiana Fraternities: We Are Watching
To fraternities operating near Sullivan County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
Pi Kappa Phi paid after Andrew Coffey’s death. They paid again after Leonel Bermudez’s hospitalization. They will pay for Sullivan County victims too.
If your chapter harms students in Indiana, we will pursue every liable entity — the national organization, the local chapter, the housing corporation, the university, and every individual member.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Your chapter could be next.
Contact Attorney 911 — Free Consultation for Sullivan County Families
🚨 Sullivan County Hazing Victims — Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations for Sullivan County families
- Video consultations — no need to travel
- Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront
- Aggressive legal advocacy against powerful institutions
- Nationwide representation — we come to Sullivan County
We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit — and we will fight just as hard for Sullivan County families.
Sullivan County Parents: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget
- Your legal rights expire
- Another student could be hurt
Call us now. We’re here to help.
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Protecting Sullivan County families from coast to coast.
Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — Serving Sullivan County and all of Indiana.
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a representation agreement is signed.
