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Tulare County (Earth/North America/United States/California/Tulare County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Pi Kappa Phi Shut Down By Our $10M Lawsuit | Attorney911 — Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 20, 2026 20 min read
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Hazing Lawyer in Tulare County | Attorney 911 – Fighting for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Victims

🚨 Tulare County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next

Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s torture.

Right now in Tulare County, fraternities and sororities are subjecting students to dangerous, humiliating, and sometimes life-threatening initiation rituals—just like what happened to our client at the University of Houston, who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure.

The same national fraternities with chapters near Tulare County—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others—have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. Yet they continue to operate in Tulare County, putting your children at risk.

We are Attorney 911. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We will fight just as hard for Tulare County families.

🔥 What Is Hazing? The Truth Tulare County Parents Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” It’s a systematic cycle of abuse disguised as tradition. In Tulare County and across California, hazing includes:

Physical Abuse

Beatings with wooden paddles – Used to strike pledges as “punishment”
Forced extreme exercise – 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls until collapse (like our client, who couldn’t walk after hazing)
Waterboarding & simulated drowning – Fraternities spray pledges with hoses while they exercise, causing panic and fear of death
Branding & burning – Permanent scars as “proof” of loyalty
Sleep deprivation – Forced to stay up all night, then expected to function normally

Forced Consumption (Alcohol & Food)

Binge drinking to the point of alcohol poisoning – Many hazing deaths start here
Forced eating until vomiting – Hot dogs, milk, peppercorns—whatever causes the most discomfort
Lying in vomit-soaked grass – Humiliation as part of the “ritual”
“Drink or be expelled” – Threats to force compliance

Psychological & Sexual Humiliation

Hog-tying pledges with objects in their mouths – A tactic used in our UH case
Forced nudity in public or cold weather – Stripping pledges to their underwear
Carrying sexual objects at all times – Used to degrade and embarrass
Verbal abuse & threats – “You’re weak,” “You’ll never be a brother/sister,” “You’ll be blacklisted”
Isolation & sleep deprivation – Breaking down mental resilience

Dangerous “Traditions” That Hospitalize Students

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) – Caused by extreme exercise; can lead to kidney failure (what happened to our client)
Alcohol poisoning – BAC levels over 0.40 (5x the legal limit) are common
Traumatic brain injury – From beatings or falls during hazing
Hypothermia/hyperthermia – Forced exposure to extreme temperatures
Sexual assault – Including forced nudity, groping, and worse

These aren’t rare incidents. They’re happening right now at universities near Tulare County.

💀 Hazing Kills. We’ve Seen It Firsthand.

Hazing doesn’t just leave scars—it leaves grieving families.

The Cases That Prove Hazing Is Deadly (And Why Tulare County Families Should Be Worried)

Victim University Fraternity What Happened Outcome
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Forced to drink entire bottle of bourbon; died from alcohol poisoning 9 members charged; chapter closed
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State Pi Kappa Alpha Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died $10.1M settlement
Max Gruver LSU Phi Delta Theta “Bible Study” drinking game; BAC 0.495; died $6.1M jury verdict
Tim Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911 $110M+ settlement
Adam Oakes VCU Delta Chi Died from alcohol poisoning during hazing $4M+ settlement
Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Waterboarded, 500 squats, wooden paddles; hospitalized with kidney failure $10M lawsuit pending (OUR CASE)

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a pattern—and it’s happening at universities near Tulare County.

⚠️ The Same Fraternities Are Active Near Tulare County

The fraternities involved in these deaths and lawsuits have chapters at universities near Tulare County, including:

Fraternity Universities Near Tulare County Hazing History
Pi Kappa Phi Fresno State, Cal State Bakersfield, UC Merced 2 deaths (Coffey, Foltz); 1 hospitalization (Bermudez—our case)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fresno State, Cal Poly SLO, UC Santa Barbara Multiple hazing deaths & lawsuits
Kappa Sigma Fresno State, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz Hazing deaths, suspensions
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Fresno State, Cal State Bakersfield Stone Foltz death ($10.1M settlement)
Phi Delta Theta Fresno State, UC Riverside Max Gruver death ($6.1M verdict)
Beta Theta Pi UC Berkeley, UCLA Tim Piazza death ($110M+ settlement)

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Tulare County, they are at risk.

📍 Why Tulare County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer

1. Universities Near Tulare County Won’t Protect Your Child

Colleges and universities profit from Greek life—they don’t want to shut it down. Even when hazing is reported, they often:
Cover it up to avoid bad publicity
Minimize the severity (“It’s just tradition”)
Blame the victim (“They consented”)
Impose weak punishments (a few weeks’ suspension, then back to business)

Example: After our client was hospitalized, Pi Kappa Phi’s response was:

“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”

No apology. No remorse. Just planning their comeback.

2. National Fraternities Have Deep Pockets (And Good Lawyers)

Fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, and Kappa Sigma have:
Millions in assets
Liability insurance policies
Teams of lawyers to fight claims

They will try to:
Blame your child (“They consented”)
Lowball settlements (“This is just a misunderstanding”)
Drag out the case (to pressure you into accepting less)

You need a lawyer who knows how to fight them.

3. California Hazing Laws Protect Victims (But You Need a Lawyer to Enforce Them)

California has strong anti-hazing laws, including:

  • Penal Code § 245.6 – Hazing is a crime (misdemeanor or felony if serious injury/death occurs)
  • Civil liability for organizations (fraternities, universities, individuals)
  • No “consent” defense – Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter

But these laws only work if you take action.

💰 What Can Tulare County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:

Type of Damage What It Covers Potential Value
Medical Expenses Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment $50,000 – $500,000+
Lost Wages Time missed from work/school $10,000 – $100,000+
Pain & Suffering Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD $100,000 – $1M+
Punitive Damages Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding) $100,000 – $5M+
Wrongful Death If hazing leads to death $1M – $10M+

Recent hazing settlements/verdicts:

  • $10.1M (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
  • $6.1M (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
  • $110M+ (Tim Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
  • $4M+ (Adam Oakes, Delta Chi)

Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi is seeking $10 million. Tulare County victims deserve the same justice.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Tulare County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

Go to the ER – Even if injuries seem minor, hazing can cause internal damage (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, brain injury).
Document everything – Take photos of injuries, keep medical records.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

📱 Save all communications – Texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails.
📸 Take screenshots – Social media posts about hazing.
📝 Write down everything – Dates, times, what happened, who was involved.
📞 Get witness names – Other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw or heard about the hazing.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

Do NOT give a statement to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer.
Do NOT sign anything – They may try to get you to waive your rights.
Do NOT post on social media – Anything you say can be used against you.

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

California has a 2-year statute of limitations – If you wait, you could lose your right to sue.
📞 Call Attorney 911 now – We offer free, confidential consultations for Tulare County families.

🏆 Why Tulare County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Already Fighting This Battle (And Winning)

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure—just like what could happen to your child.
We know how to win these cases—we’ve secured millions for victims of institutional abuse.

2. We Know How Fraternities Operate (Because We’ve Sued Them Before)

Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of litigation experience, including high-stakes cases against major institutions.
Lupe Pena is a former insurance defense attorney—he knows how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
We’ve handled hazing cases before—including rhabdomyolysis injuries and university negligence claims.

3. We Fight for Maximum Compensation

We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers. We:
Investigate thoroughly – Gather text messages, social media, witness statements.
Identify all liable parties – Fraternity, university, national organization, individuals.
Calculate full damages – Medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
Negotiate aggressively – We don’t back down from lowball offers.
Go to trial if needed – We’re not afraid to take these cases to court.

4. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront for Tulare County Families

No hourly fees – You pay nothing unless we win.
No out-of-pocket costs – We front all case expenses.
We only get paid if you do – Our fee comes from the settlement, not your pocket.

📞 Tulare County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. The statute of limitations is running.

📅 Don’t wait until it’s too late.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing

We offer:
Free, confidential consultations (in-person, phone, or video)
Immediate case evaluation – We’ll tell you if you have a case
Aggressive representation – We fight for maximum compensation
Nationwide service – We represent hazing victims in Tulare County and across California

🚫 Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed in Tulare County

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Tulare County, watch for these red flags:

Physical Signs

Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
Extreme fatigue or difficulty walking
Signs of alcohol poisoning (vomiting, confusion, passing out)
Sudden weight loss (from forced exercise or food deprivation)
Complaints of muscle pain or dark urine (signs of rhabdomyolysis)

Behavioral Signs

Withdrawing from family/friends
Sudden drop in grades
Anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms
Fear of talking about Greek life
Suddenly quitting the fraternity/sorority

What They Might Say

“It’s just tradition—everyone goes through it.”
“I can’t tell you what happens—it’s a secret.”
“If I quit, I’ll be blacklisted.”
“The brothers/sisters say I’m weak.”
“I’m not allowed to leave.”

If you notice any of these signs, your child may be a victim of hazing. Call us immediately.

🔍 How We Prove Hazing in Court

1. Medical Records

✅ Hospital records showing rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or other injuries
✅ Doctor’s notes documenting hazing-related trauma

2. Digital Evidence

Text messages & GroupMe chats – Coordination of hazing activities
Social media posts – Photos/videos of hazing, bragging about abuse
Fraternity/sorority documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules

3. Witness Testimony

Other pledges – They were there; they saw what happened
Bystanders – Friends, roommates, or others who witnessed hazing
Former members – May have left because of the hazing culture

4. Pattern Evidence

Prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
National organization’s history of hazing (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi’s Andrew Coffey case)
University’s failure to act (e.g., UH’s 2017 hazing hospitalization)

5. Institutional Records

Fraternity emails/texts – Showing knowledge of hazing
University oversight failures – Lack of inspections, ignored complaints
Insurance claims – Proof the organization knew about risks

🏛️ Who We Sue for Tulare County Hazing Victims

Hazing cases involve multiple liable parties, including:

Defendant Why They’re Liable Example from Our Case
Local Chapter Directly organized hazing UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter waterboarded our client
National Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing Pi Kappa Phi National knew about “a hazing crisis”
University Owned property; failed to protect students UH owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
Chapter Officers Directed hazing activities Chapter president, pledgemaster
Individual Members Participated in hazing Members who waterboarded, struck, or forced exercise
Alumni Hosted hazing at their homes Former member’s spouse allowed hazing at their residence
Insurance Companies Coverage for institutional liability National fraternity’s liability insurance

We sue everyone responsible to maximize your recovery.

📅 Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait or You’ll Lose Your Rights

California has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including hazing.

The clock starts ticking on the date of the injury.

If you wait, you could lose your right to sue forever.

Example:

  • If your child was hazed on November 1, 2025, you have until November 1, 2027 to file a lawsuit.
  • If you wait until November 2, 2027, your case is barred by law.

⚠️ Exceptions exist (e.g., delayed discovery of injuries), but don’t rely on them. Call us now.

🎓 Tulare County Universities with Greek Life (And Hazing Risks)

If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools near Tulare County, they are at risk of hazing:

University Location Greek Life Presence Hazing History
Fresno State Fresno, CA Strong (40+ chapters) Multiple hazing suspensions
Cal State Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA Active Hazing reports
UC Merced Merced, CA Growing Recent hazing allegations
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Very strong Multiple hazing incidents
UC Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Strong Hazing deaths in past
UC Davis Davis, CA Strong Hazing suspensions
UC Riverside Riverside, CA Active Hazing reports
UC Berkeley Berkeley, CA Very strong Multiple hazing incidents
UCLA Los Angeles, CA Strong Hazing lawsuits

The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths (Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Kappa Sigma, etc.) have chapters at these schools.

💬 What Tulare County Families Are Saying About Hazing

“I thought my son was just going through ‘pledge week.’ I had no idea they were waterboarding him. When he came home unable to walk, I realized this wasn’t tradition—it was torture.”Parent of a hazing victim

“The fraternity told us it was just ‘a few harmless pranks.’ Then my daughter ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis. They lied to us.”Parent of a sorority pledge

“The university didn’t care until we hired a lawyer. Now they’re scrambling to settle. Don’t let them get away with it.”Family of a hazing victim

🚨 Fraternities Near Tulare County: We’re Coming for You

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Tulare County:

We know what you’re doing. We’re already suing Pi Kappa Phi for what they did to our client. We’ve seen the text messages, the videos, the “pledge manuals.”

If your chapter is hazing students in Tulare County, we will find out. And when we do, we will sue you, your national organization, and every individual involved.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi—your chapters near Tulare County are on notice.

The same legal strategies that shut down the UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter apply to you.

If you haze students in Tulare County, we will hold you accountable.

📢 Final Message to Tulare County Families

Your child trusted these organizations. They trusted the university. They trusted that they would be safe.

That trust was betrayed.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are fighting this battle right now—and we will fight just as hard for Tulare County families.

If your child was hazed, abused, or hospitalized because of Greek life near Tulare County, call us. We will make them pay.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing

We don’t get paid unless you do. $0 upfront. Free consultation.

Tulare County hazing victims: The time to act is now.

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