🛡️ Sullivan County Hazing Victims: Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

When Tradition Becomes Torture: Hazing at Sullivan County Colleges

Sullivan County families: If your child attends college in or near our community, they face real risks from Greek life hazing. The same fraternities that hospitalized a University of Houston student in 2025 with kidney failure after waterboarding and forced exercise maintain active chapters at institutions near Sullivan County. This isn’t just happening in Texas – it’s happening in our region, and Sullivan County students are at risk.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know the playbook these organizations use to silence victims and avoid accountability. Sullivan County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Houston.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Our Region

Hazing isn’t harmless “tradition” – it’s systematic abuse that can cause permanent physical and psychological damage. In our current case, a student was:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (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 continue exercising
• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This same pattern exists at colleges near Sullivan County. National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters throughout our region, and the culture of abuse travels with them.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Sullivan County Hazing Victim

Tennessee Hazing Laws Protect You

Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-123 defines hazing as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into any organization. This includes:

1. Physical brutality (beating, striking, excessive exercise)
2. Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
3. Psychological abuse (sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats)
4. Dangerous activities (waterboarding, extreme weather exposure)

Key legal protections for Sullivan County victims:

• Consent is NOT a defense – Even if a student agreed to participate, hazing is still illegal
• Criminal penalties – Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee, punishable by up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and fines
• Civil liability – Victims can sue for damages including medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
• University responsibility – Colleges have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm

Who Can Be Held Liable in Sullivan County

When hazing occurs at a Sullivan County-area college, multiple parties may share responsibility:

1. Local fraternity/sorority chapter – Directly organized and conducted hazing
2. National organization – Failed to supervise local chapter despite knowledge of hazing risks
3. University/college – Failed to prevent hazing despite having authority over Greek organizations
4. Individual members – Participated in or facilitated hazing activities
5. Chapter officers – Had leadership responsibility and allowed hazing to occur
6. Housing corporations – Owned or controlled property where hazing occurred

🏢 Colleges Near Sullivan County With Greek Life Hazing Risks

While we cannot name specific incidents without verified documentation, Sullivan County families should be aware that the following institutions in our region maintain active Greek life programs:

• East Tennessee State University (ETSU) – Located in Johnson City, just minutes from Sullivan County
• King University – Private university in Bristol, TN
• Milligan University – Private Christian university near Elizabethton
• Tusculum University – Private university in Greeneville
• Northeast State Community College – Community college with student organizations

Important Note: The presence of Greek organizations at these institutions does not imply they have hazing problems – it simply means the same national organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate chapters near Sullivan County.

💰 What Your Hazing Case Could Be Worth

Hazing cases often result in substantial settlements and verdicts. Recent precedents include:

• $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State University)
• $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
• $10 million – Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston

Damages Sullivan County victims may recover:

1. Medical expenses – Hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment
2. Lost wages – Time missed from work or internships
3. Pain and suffering – Physical pain from injuries
4. Emotional distress – PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse
5. Punitive damages – To punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing
6. Educational damages – Impact on academic performance and opportunities

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sullivan County

1. Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor
2. Preserve all evidence – Texts, photos, videos, social media posts
3. Document everything – Write down what happened, when, and who was involved
4. Get witness information – Names and contact info of other victims or witnesses
5. Do NOT sign anything – From the fraternity, university, or their lawyers
6. Do NOT post on social media – Anything you post can be used against you
7. Contact Attorney 911 immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911

🛡️ Why Sullivan County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While based in Texas, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Sullivan County families get the same aggressive representation we’re providing in that case.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys previously represented insurance companies. We know their playbook and how to dismantle their defenses. This gives Sullivan County victims an unfair advantage.

3. Federal Court Authority

We’re admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, allowing us to pursue Sullivan County cases in federal jurisdiction when appropriate.

4. Dual-State Licensed

Licensed in Texas AND New York, giving us strategic flexibility in pursuing national fraternity organizations.

5. No Upfront Costs

We work on contingency – Sullivan County families pay nothing unless we win. This removes the financial barrier to justice.

6. We Come to Sullivan County

For depositions, client meetings, and trials, our attorneys travel to Sullivan County as needed. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

7. Proven Results

• Currently litigating $10 million hazing case
• Recovered millions for personal injury victims
• Experience with complex institutional defendants
• Former insurance defense background

🎯 How We Build Strong Sullivan County Hazing Cases

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Demand retention of all communications, photos, videos
• Obtain security camera footage
• Secure witness statements

2. Comprehensive Medical Documentation

• Obtain all medical records
• Work with medical experts to document injuries
• Calculate future medical needs
• Link injuries directly to hazing activities

3. Pattern Evidence Development

• Research prior hazing incidents at same chapter
• Research prior incidents at same university
• Research national organization’s hazing history
• Establish institutional knowledge and failure to act

4. Aggressive Discovery

• Subpoena all internal communications
• Depose chapter officers and national leaders
• Obtain insurance policies
• Identify all potential defendants

5. Media Strategy

• Publicize the case to pressure defendants
• Highlight institutional failures
• Create public awareness of hazing dangers

6. Legislative Advocacy

• Work with Tennessee legislators on hazing reform
• Support stronger anti-hazing laws
• Advocate for victim protections

📞 Sullivan County Families: Contact Us Immediately

If your child was hazed at any college near Sullivan County, call us NOW:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation • No upfront costs • We only get paid if you win

We serve Sullivan County hazing victims regardless of where the incident occurred. Whether your child was hazed at ETSU, King University, or any other institution, we can help.

⚠️ Time is Critical – Tennessee Statute of Limitations

Tennessee law limits how long you have to file a hazing lawsuit:

• Personal injury: 1 year from date of injury
• Wrongful death: 1 year from date of death

DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire. Contact Attorney 911 immediately to protect your Sullivan County family’s rights.

🔥 Our Message to Fraternities Near Sullivan County

To the fraternities operating near Sullivan County: We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates near Sullivan County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters near Sullivan County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.

Universities near Sullivan County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campuses. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek life leadership at Sullivan County-area institutions: The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

Sullivan County families: You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.