🛡️ Hazing Victims in Switzerland County, Indiana: Your Rights, Your Justice
What Happened in Houston Could Happen Here — And We’re Fighting Back
Switzerland County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities and Greek organizations to protect their students. But as the shocking case at the University of Houston proves, that trust is often betrayed.
In November 2025, a young man named Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with severe kidney failure after being subjected to waterboarding, forced eating until vomiting, and extreme physical abuse during Pi Kappa Phi fraternity hazing rituals. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This didn’t happen in some distant state. It happened at a major university. And it could happen right here in Switzerland County or at nearby colleges where your children attend.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting this case in court — and we’re ready to fight for Switzerland County families too.
🚨 Hazing in Switzerland County: The Reality
Switzerland County is home to strong families, hardworking communities, and young people with bright futures. But when those young people head off to college, they face risks their parents never imagined.
The facts about hazing in America:
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
- 40% of student athletes report being hazed
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
- 95% of students who are hazed do NOT report it
Switzerland County families need to know:
- National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma operate chapters at universities near Switzerland County
- These same organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries
- Universities in our region have the same oversight failures that allowed the UH case to happen
- Your child could be next
🏛️ The Legal Framework: Switzerland County Victims Have Rights
Indiana Hazing Laws Protect Your Child
Indiana has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all educational institutions, including:
- Universities and colleges near Switzerland County
- Fraternities and sororities
- Sports teams
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Student clubs and organizations
Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 (Hazing):
A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally engages in hazing commits a Class B misdemeanor. If the hazing results in serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony.
Key points for Switzerland County families:
- Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still protects them
- Universities can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing on their campuses
- National organizations can be sued for failing to supervise their local chapters
- Individuals can be held personally responsible — including chapter officers and members
💰 Proven Results: Multi-Million Dollar Precedents
Hazing cases result in substantial compensation for victims and their families. These aren’t just numbers — they represent accountability and justice.
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Tucker Hipps | Clemson | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Settlement | $500,000+ |
Switzerland County families: These same results are possible for your case. The law doesn’t care where you live — justice is available to all victims.
🔍 What Constitutes Hazing in Switzerland County?
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It’s abuse, and it’s illegal. Under Indiana law, hazing includes:
Physical Abuse
- Beatings, paddling, or striking
- Forced exercise to exhaustion (like 500 squats until collapse)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Branding or burning
- Confinement in small spaces
Forced Consumption
- Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking)
- Forced food consumption until vomiting
- Forced consumption of non-food substances
- Forced drug use
Psychological Abuse
- Sleep deprivation
- Verbal abuse and humiliation
- Isolation from friends and family
- Threats of physical harm or expulsion
- Sexual humiliation or assault
Servitude
- Forced cleaning or errands
- Forced driving of members
- Financial exploitation
Switzerland County parents: If your child experienced any of these activities, they were hazed — and they have legal rights.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it can cause serious, life-threatening injuries:
| Injury | Description | Case Example |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown causing kidney failure | Leonel Bermudez (UH case) |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Potentially fatal alcohol overdose | Stone Foltz, Maxwell Gruver |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls | Multiple cases |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure to elements | Common in outdoor hazing |
| Internal Injuries | From physical abuse | Lacerated spleen (UH 2017 case) |
| Sexual Assault Injuries | Physical and psychological trauma | Documented in multiple cases |
| Death | From any of the above | Too many cases to count |
The long-term impact:
- Chronic health conditions
- PTSD and anxiety
- Depression and suicidal ideation
- Academic disruption
- Career limitations
🎓 Who Is Liable for Switzerland County Hazing Victims?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
| Defendant | Basis for Liability | Switzerland County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized hazing | Chapters at universities near Switzerland County |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew of risks | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Kappa Sigma, etc. |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; premises liability | Indiana University, Purdue, etc. |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility | Presidents, pledgemasters, risk managers |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Active members who participated |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Former members with local ties |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional liability | Policies held by universities and nationals |
Switzerland County families: You don’t have to sue just one person. We pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.
📋 What Switzerland County Families Should Do
If Your Child Has Been Hazed:
- Seek medical attention immediately — Even if injuries seem minor, get checked
- Preserve all evidence — Texts, photos, videos, witness names
- Do NOT talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative
- Do NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you
- Contact Attorney 911 immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911
Evidence to Preserve:
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house |
| Communications | Texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other victims/witnesses |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition payments |
💼 Why Switzerland County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now — And We’ll Fight for You
While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Switzerland County. We’re currently litigating the $10 million University of Houston hazing case — and we bring that same aggression to every case.
Our Advantages for Switzerland County Families:
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We know how the other side thinks
✅ Federal Court Authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-State Licensed — Texas AND New York (strategic for national fraternities)
✅ 25+ Years Experience — Battle-tested in courtrooms across America
✅ Multi-Million Dollar Results — Proven track record of big wins
✅ Se Habla Español — Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
✅ Contingency Fee — $0 upfront — We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid
✅ We Travel to Switzerland County — For depositions, meetings, and trials
Our Approach for Switzerland County Victims:
- Immediate Response — We act fast to preserve evidence
- Aggressive Investigation — We uncover the full extent of the abuse
- Multi-Defendant Strategy — We sue everyone responsible
- Expert Network — Medical experts, hazing culture experts, economists
- Federal Court Leverage — We can take your case to federal court if needed
- Media Strategy — We use public pressure to force accountability
- Legislative Advocacy — We work to change laws to protect future students
📞 Switzerland County Families: Call Now for Justice
1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Free Consultation — Available 24/7
We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.
🏆 Our Promise to Switzerland County Families
“If your child has been hazed, you deserve justice. You deserve compensation. You deserve accountability. And you deserve a legal team that will fight for you with everything we’ve got.”
“We’re not just lawyers. We’re parents. We’re advocates. And we’re furious that this keeps happening to our kids. Switzerland County families: We will fight for you.”
— Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena, Attorney 911
🔥 The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing victims often wait to come forward because of:
- Shame and embarrassment
- Fear of social retaliation
- Loyalty to the organization
- Not recognizing it as hazing
- Pressure to stay quiet
But the law has limits:
- Indiana has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases
- Evidence disappears over time
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
Switzerland County families: Don’t wait. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
🎯 Our Message to Fraternities Near Switzerland County:
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and all Greek organizations operating near Switzerland County:
We see you. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing deaths and settlements. And we know how to hold you accountable.
The $10 million case we’re fighting in Houston isn’t just about one victim — it’s a warning to every fraternity in America. If you haze students in Switzerland County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will make you pay.
Clean up your chapters. Enforce your policies. Protect your pledges. Because the next lawsuit could have your name on it.
🏛️ Our Message to Universities Near Switzerland County:
To Indiana University, Purdue University, and all colleges with Greek life near Switzerland County:
You own the property. You control the recognition. You have the power to stop hazing. When you fail to act, you become liable.
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They knew about prior hazing incidents. They failed to protect him. Now they’re being sued for $10 million.
Switzerland County universities: You could be next. Act now, or face the same accountability.
📚 Switzerland County Parents: What You Need to Know About Greek Life
The Truth About Fraternities Near Switzerland County:
- They have a documented history of hazing — Pi Kappa Phi alone has two major incidents (2017 and 2025)
- They operate under national organizations — These nationals have deep pockets and insurance
- They often hide behind “tradition” — But tradition doesn’t justify abuse
- They recruit aggressively — Even targeting students who aren’t enrolled yet (“ghost rushes”)
- They have powerful alumni networks — Which can intimidate victims into silence
Questions to Ask Before Your Child Joins:
- Has this chapter had any hazing incidents in the past 5 years?
- What specific anti-hazing training do members receive?
- How does the university monitor pledge activities?
- What are the consequences for hazing?
- Can I see the chapter’s risk management policies?
Switzerland County parents: If the answers aren’t satisfactory, your child should not join.
📅 Recent Hazing Cases: A Pattern of Abuse
| Date | University | Fraternity | Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Waterboarding, kidney failure | $10M lawsuit filed |
| Nov 2025 | University of Texas | Sigma Chi | Death by suicide after hazing | Lawsuit filed |
| Oct 2024 | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Death | $4M+ settlement |
| Dec 2024 | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death | $6.5M personal judgment |
| 2023 | University of Alabama | Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Traumatic brain injury | Lawsuit filed |
Switzerland County families: This isn’t just happening “somewhere else.” It’s happening now, at universities near you.
🎓 Switzerland County Students: Your Rights Matter
If you’re a student who has been hazed, you need to know:
- You are not to blame — Hazing is abuse, not tradition
- You have legal rights — Even if you “agreed” to participate
- You are not alone — 95% of students don’t report hazing; many others have suffered like you
- You can make a difference — Your case could save future students
- We will protect you — From retaliation, from intimidation, from the system
Switzerland County students: You don’t have to suffer in silence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
📞 Switzerland County Families: Take the First Step Today
1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Free Consultation — Available 24/7
We work on contingency — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.
🔚 Enough Is Enough
For too long, hazing has been dismissed as “tradition” or “boys being boys.” But when that “tradition” leads to waterboarding, kidney failure, and death, it’s not tradition — it’s torture.
Switzerland County families deserve better. Your children deserve better. And the law provides a path to justice.
We’re Attorney 911. We’re fighting this battle right now. And we’re ready to fight for Switzerland County.
Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free. The call could save your child’s life — or someone else’s.
📜 Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this content. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please contact Attorney 911 directly at 1-888-ATTY-911 or ralph@atty911.com.
Attorney 911 serves clients nationwide, including Switzerland County, Indiana. While headquartered in Texas, we represent hazing victims across America through federal court authority and our commitment to traveling wherever justice demands.
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