Hazing Victims in Sumter County, Florida: Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 Hazing Is Happening at Sumter County Schools and Universities — You Are Not Alone

Sumter County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and student organizations will protect their well-being. But tragically, hazing continues to occur at institutions near Sumter County, including at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida State University in Tallahassee, and other colleges across the state.

The same national fraternities that have paid millions of dollars in hazing settlements — including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha — operate chapters at universities near Sumter County. These organizations have a documented history of dangerous hazing practices that lead to hospitalization, permanent injury, and even death.

If your child has been hazed at a university near Sumter County, you have legal rights. The attorneys at Attorney 911 are fighting this battle right now in Texas — and we can fight for Sumter County families too.

📰 The Hazing Crisis in Florida: Real Cases That Hit Close to Home

Andrew Coffey — Florida State University / Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

What happened: Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge, was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a fraternity event. He died from acute alcohol poisoning.

Outcome: Multiple fraternity members charged; chapter permanently closed; family filed lawsuit (settlement confidential).

Why it matters to Sumter County: Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities across Florida, including near Sumter County. The same organization that killed Andrew Coffey is operating in our state.

Maxwell Gruver — Louisiana State University / Phi Delta Theta (2017)

What happened: Maxwell Gruver, 18, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual. His blood alcohol level was 0.495 — more than six times the legal limit.

Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict; fraternity member convicted of negligent homicide; Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.

Why it matters to Sumter County: This case shows that juries will award millions of dollars in hazing cases. Florida has similar laws that protect victims.

Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University / Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

What happened: Stone Foltz was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a fraternity event. He died from alcohol poisoning.

Outcome: $10.1 million settlement — the largest hazing payout in Ohio history.

Why it matters to Sumter County: The same fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, has chapters at Florida universities. If your child was hazed by Pike, we can pursue the same aggressive representation.

Leonel Bermudez — University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi (2025)

What happened: Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” pledge not yet enrolled at UH, was subjected to weeks of torture including waterboarding, 500 squats, forced eating until vomiting, and being struck with wooden paddles. He was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

Outcome: Attorney 911 filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. The fraternity chapter was immediately shut down.

Why it matters to Sumter County: This is the case we’re fighting right now. We know how to build these cases. Sumter County families get the same aggressive representation.

⚖️ Florida Hazing Laws: What Sumter County Families Need to Know

Florida has strong laws against hazing, and victims have legal rights:

Florida Statute § 1006.63 — Hazing Prohibited

Definition of Hazing:

Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.

Criminal Penalties:

Key Provision: Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that does not excuse the conduct.

Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued in Sumter County Hazing Cases

💔 What Qualifies as Hazing in Sumter County?

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It is abuse, and it is illegal in Florida. Hazing activities include:

Physical Abuse

• Beatings, paddling, or striking
• Forced exercise to exhaustion (e.g., 500 squats, 100 pushups)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Branding or burning
• Sleep deprivation

Forced Consumption

• Forced drinking of alcohol
• Forced eating of food or non-food items
• Forced consumption of drugs

Psychological Abuse

• Humiliation or degradation
• Verbal abuse or threats
• Isolation or social ostracism
• Forced servitude (e.g., driving members, cleaning)

Sexual Abuse

• Forced nudity
• Sexual assault or harassment
• Carrying sexual objects

Dangerous Activities

• Extreme weather exposure
• Confinement in small spaces
• Activities that create risk of serious injury

If your child experienced any of these at a Florida university, they were hazed. You have legal rights.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Sumter County Families Need to Watch For

Hazing can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Some injuries appear immediately, while others develop over time.

Immediate Symptoms of Hazing Injuries:

• Severe muscle pain
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Dark brown or red urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
• Vomiting or nausea
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing difficulties

Delayed Symptoms:

• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Changes in academic performance

Life-Threatening Conditions Caused by Hazing:

If your child shows any of these symptoms after hazing, seek medical attention immediately.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Sumter County

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention

• Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.
• Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) are life-threatening and may not be immediately obvious.
• Document all medical visits and treatments.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

• Take photos of any physical injuries at all stages of healing.
• Save all communications, including text messages, social media messages, emails, and group chats.
• Document the hazing location — fraternity house, off-campus residence, etc.
• Get witness names and contact information.
• Do not delete anything, even if it seems embarrassing or irrelevant.

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• Report to the university — Title IX office, student affairs, or Greek life office.
• File a police report — hazing is a crime in Florida.
• Report to the national fraternity organization (if applicable).

Step 4: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without Legal Counsel

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative.
• They may ask your child to sign documents or give statements.
• Do not sign anything or give any statements without consulting an attorney first.

Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

• Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
• We offer remote consultations for Sumter County families.
• We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

💰 What Compensation Can Sumter County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills — past, present, and future
• Lost wages — if hazing caused your child to miss work
• Educational expenses — if hazing disrupted your child’s education
• Future earning capacity — if injuries affect career prospects

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering — for the agony caused by hazing
• Mental anguish — for anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Emotional distress — for humiliation, shame, or trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life — for impact on daily activities

Punitive Damages

• Punitive damages may be awarded in cases of egregious conduct, such as waterboarding, forced drinking, or physical abuse.
• These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.

🏆 Why Sumter County Families Choose Attorney 911

We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

Nationwide Experience, Local Understanding

While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including in Sumter County. Our attorneys are licensed in Texas and New York, and we have federal court authority, allowing us to pursue cases across the country.

Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked as insurance defense attorneys before switching sides to represent victims. We know how insurance companies think, and we use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

Aggressive Representation

We don’t back down from powerful institutions. We will:

• Pursue every liable party, including the university, national organization, and individual members.
• Use expert witnesses to prove the extent of your child’s injuries.
• Fight for maximum compensation, including punitive damages.
• Travel to Sumter County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.

Compassionate Support for Sumter County Families

We understand the trauma that hazing causes. Our team includes bilingual staff, and we treat every client like family.

No Upfront Costs for Sumter County Families

We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

📞 Sumter County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed at a university near Sumter County, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is here to help.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Visit: attorney911.com

We offer:

• Free, confidential consultations
• Remote consultations for Sumter County families
• Aggressive representation with no upfront costs
• Willingness to travel to Sumter County for your case

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence and building your case.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Sumter County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: Hazing is a crime, and it is important to report it to protect other students. However, your child may fear retaliation. We can help you navigate the reporting process while protecting your child’s rights and privacy.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injury?

A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, hazing can cause psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These injuries are compensable under Florida law.

Q: The university says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. Florida law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazing is still illegal.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Sumter County?

A: In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the injury. However, it is important to act quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Q: We live in Sumter County, but the hazing happened at a university in another city. Can you still help us?

A: Yes. While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We offer remote consultations and are willing to travel to Sumter County for your case.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means 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 pursuing justice.

🔥 A Message to Sumter County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Sumter County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. If your chapters haze students in Florida, we will pursue every liable entity.

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other nationals:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in other states apply to your Florida chapters. We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.

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

To Greek life leadership:
The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

🎯 Sumter County Families: This Is Your Moment to Fight Back

Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is abuse, and it has no place in Florida.

If your child has been hazed, you have the power to hold the perpetrators accountable. You can protect other Sumter County families from going through the same nightmare.

Attorney 911 is ready to fight for you. We have the experience, the resources, and the determination to win.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s bring the hazing crisis to light. Enough is enough.