Hazing Lawyers in Tuscaloosa County: Protecting Students from Abuse

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Do We

At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting one of the most egregious hazing cases in America — a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate at universities near Tuscaloosa County, and the same dangers exist for your children.

If your son or daughter has been hazed at a Tuscaloosa County college, university, or Greek organization, we can help. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Tuscaloosa County families, with the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to our landmark case.

🚨 This Is Happening in Tuscaloosa County Too

The Same Fraternities Are Here

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — these are the same national organizations involved in multi-million-dollar hazing settlements across America. They have active chapters at universities near Tuscaloosa County, and they bring the same culture of abuse with them.

The Same Hazing Activities Are Happening

• Waterboarding and simulated drowning (like our Houston case)
• Forced alcohol consumption (like the cases that killed Stone Foltz and Max Gruver)
• Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, bear crawls, paddling)
• Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
• Psychological torture and humiliation

The Same Universities Are Failing to Protect Students

Just like the University of Houston, universities near Tuscaloosa County have a duty to protect students from hazing. When they fail — whether through negligence, cover-ups, or willful ignorance — they must be held accountable.

💔 What Hazing Does to Tuscaloosa County Students

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It’s abuse. And the consequences are devastating:

Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure, like our client)
• Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal, like the cases that killed Andrew Coffey and Timothy Piazza)
• Broken bones, burns, and internal injuries from physical abuse
• Hypothermia or heat stroke from forced exposure
• Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls

Psychological Trauma

• PTSD from waterboarding, paddling, and humiliation
• Anxiety and depression from ongoing abuse
• Suicidal ideation from feeling trapped and powerless
• Trust issues and social withdrawal from betrayal by peers

Academic and Career Impact

• Dropped grades from sleep deprivation and stress
• Lost scholarships from missing classes or being forced to drop out
• Damaged reputation from being associated with hazing
• Delayed graduation from medical leave or academic disruption

Hazing doesn’t just hurt students — it destroys their futures.

⚖️ Tuscaloosa County Families Have Legal Rights

1. Criminal Charges May Apply

Under Alabama law, hazing is a crime. If your child was hazed in Tuscaloosa County, the perpetrators could face:

• Misdemeanor charges for hazing
• Felony charges if the hazing caused serious injury or death
• Assault and battery charges for physical abuse
• Reckless endangerment charges for dangerous activities

We work with law enforcement to ensure criminal accountability while pursuing civil justice.

2. Civil Lawsuits for Compensation

Even if criminal charges are filed, your family can still sue for financial compensation to cover:

• Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, long-term care)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or lost job opportunities)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Punitive damages (to punish the organization and prevent future hazing)

Multi-million-dollar verdicts are possible. In similar cases, juries have awarded:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Ohio)
• $6.1 million (Max Gruver, Louisiana)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Pennsylvania)

3. Who Can Be Sued in Tuscaloosa County Hazing Cases?

We pursue everyone responsible for your child’s injuries:

🔍 Our Tuscaloosa County Hazing Case Strategy

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

Hazing cases hinge on evidence. We act fast to:

• Secure text messages, GroupMe chats, and social media posts before they’re deleted
• Obtain medical records to document injuries
• Interview witnesses before memories fade
• Preserve photos/videos of hazing activities
• Freeze fraternity/university records before they’re destroyed

⚠️ Critical Warning: Never confront the fraternity or university without legal representation. They will coordinate their story, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses. Let us handle it.

2. Proving the Pattern of Abuse

Hazing doesn’t happen in isolation — it’s systemic. We prove:

• Prior hazing incidents at the same chapter (universities often know but do nothing)
• National organization’s failure to enforce anti-hazing policies (like Pi Kappa Phi’s “hazing crisis”)
• University’s negligence in overseeing Greek life (like UH’s 2017 hazing hospitalization)
• Individual members’ participation in the abuse

3. Fighting the “Consent” Defense

Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks. He could have left.”

Alabama law says: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE.

We use Alabama’s anti-hazing statute to shut down this argument and hold the organization accountable regardless of what your child “agreed” to.

4. Pursuing Punitive Damages

When hazing is egregious (like waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption, or extreme physical abuse), we pursue punitive damages to:

• Punish the organization for their reckless disregard
• Send a message to other fraternities: “This will not be tolerated”
• Prevent future hazing by making it financially devastating

5. Working with Law Enforcement

We coordinate with Tuscaloosa County prosecutors to ensure criminal charges are filed when appropriate. While criminal cases focus on jail time, we focus on financial justice for your family.

🏆 Why Tuscaloosa County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t hypothetical — we’re in the trenches, and we’re winning. Tuscaloosa County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know their playbook:

• How they lowball settlements
• How they twist your words against you
• How they delay and deny claims
• We use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses.

3. Nationwide Reach, Local Commitment

While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Tuscaloosa County. We:

• Travel to Tuscaloosa County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Offer video consultations for Tuscaloosa County families
• Work with local experts to build your case
• Understand the unique challenges of Tuscaloosa County’s Greek life culture

4. No Upfront Costs — We Work on Contingency

We know Tuscaloosa County families can’t afford expensive legal fees while dealing with medical bills and trauma. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:

• $0 upfront costs
• $0 unless we win your case
• No risk to your family

5. We Treat Your Child Like Family

Hazing victims often feel isolated, ashamed, and afraid. We see your child as a person — not a paycheck. Our team provides:

• Compassionate, judgment-free support
• Bilingual assistance (Se habla español)
• 24/7 availability for emergencies
• Guidance through every step of the legal process

🎓 Tuscaloosa County Universities and Greek Organizations at Risk

The following Tuscaloosa County-area institutions have Greek organizations with documented hazing histories nationwide. If your child was hazed at any of these, we can help:

Universities Near Tuscaloosa County with Greek Life

• The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)

  • Fraternities with hazing histories: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Delta Chi
  • Sororities with hazing histories: Kappa Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha

• Stillman College (Tuscaloosa)

  • Smaller Greek system, but hazing can still occur in any organization

• Shelton State Community College (Tuscaloosa)

  • While less common, hazing can occur in clubs, sports teams, and honor societies

• Nearby Universities with Greek Life:

  • University of West Alabama (Livingston)
  • Alabama A&M University (Huntsville)
  • Auburn University (Auburn)

Fraternities with Documented Hazing Histories

Sororities with Hazing Concerns

While less publicized, sorority hazing can include:

• Forced alcohol consumption
• Sleep deprivation
• Humiliation rituals
• Excessive fines or fees
• Physical abuse

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

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Go to the ER if your child has symptoms of:
  • Rhabdomyolysis (dark urine, severe muscle pain, inability to move)
  • Alcohol poisoning (confusion, vomiting, slow breathing, unconsciousness)
  • Concussion or traumatic brain injury (headache, dizziness, memory loss)
  • Broken bones, burns, or internal injuries
• Follow up with a doctor even if injuries seem minor — some symptoms (like PTSD) appear later
• Document everything — medical records are critical evidence

2. Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of injuries at all stages of healing
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails)
• Get witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
• Document the hazing location (fraternity house, off-campus property, etc.)
• Do not delete anything — even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating

3. Do NOT Confront the Fraternity or University Alone

• They will minimize the incident
• They will pressure your child to stay silent
• They will destroy evidence
• They will coordinate their story
• Let us handle it. We know how to protect your rights.

4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Video Consultation: Available for Tuscaloosa County families

⚠️ Time is critical. Alabama has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire.

📞 Tuscaloosa County Families — Call Us Now

1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Tuscaloosa County. Whether your child was hazed at The University of Alabama, Stillman College, a community college, or any other Tuscaloosa County institution, we can help.

No upfront costs. No risk. Just justice.

🔥 Our Message to Tuscaloosa County Fraternities and Universities

We Are Watching. We Are Coming. And We Will Hold You Accountable.

To the fraternities operating near Tuscaloosa County:

• Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — we know your chapters’ histories.
• The same hazing that hospitalized our client in Houston happens in Tuscaloosa County too.
• We track your house corporations, alumni chapters, and national insurance policies.
• If you haze students in Tuscaloosa County, we will find every liable entity.

To the universities near Tuscaloosa County:

• The University of Alabama, Stillman College, Shelton State Community College — you own the property. You have the power to stop this.
• When you fail to protect students, you share liability.
• The $10 million lawsuit we filed against the University of Houston could be coming to your campus next.

To the national fraternity organizations:

• You have 150+ chapters across America.
• Andrew Coffey died in 2017. Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025. How many more?
• Your failure to enforce anti-hazing policies makes you complicit.
• We will pursue your assets, your insurance, and your leadership.

The Hazing Stops Here. The Accountability Starts Now.

📚 Tuscaloosa County Hazing Resources

Emergency Contacts

• Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office: (205) 349-4500
• Tuscaloosa Police Department: (205) 349-2121
• University of Alabama Police Department: (205) 348-5454
• National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE

Counseling and Support

• University of Alabama Counseling Center: (205) 348-3863
• The Crisis Center (Tuscaloosa): (205) 752-3192
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Legal Resources

• Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 392-5660
• Attorney 911 Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

Reporting Hazing

• University of Alabama Hazing Report Form: https://studentaffairs.ua.edu/hazing/
• Alabama State Department of Education: https://www.alsde.edu/
• U.S. Department of Education (for Title IX violations): https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

🏆 Our Commitment to Tuscaloosa County

We won’t stop until hazing is eradicated from Tuscaloosa County campuses.

This is our promise to Tuscaloosa County families:

1. Aggressive legal representation — we don’t back down from powerful institutions
2. Compassionate client care — your child’s well-being is our priority
3. Nationwide reach — we serve Tuscaloosa County families no matter where the hazing occurred
4. No upfront costs — you pay nothing unless we win
5. Justice for your family — whether through settlement or trial, we fight for what you deserve

If your child was hazed in Tuscaloosa County, call us now:

1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

The hazing stops here. The healing starts now.