Hazing Victims in Union County: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or other student organization near Union County, Indiana, you are not alone — and you have powerful legal rights.

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture — and it’s happening right here in Indiana. Whether your child attends Earlham College, Ivy Tech Richmond, or another institution in the region, the same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries are operating near Union County.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to hold fraternities, universities, and national organizations accountable — and we will bring that same fight to Union County families.

You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept “boys will be boys.” And you don’t have to face this alone.

🚨 What Is Hazing — And Why It’s Illegal in Indiana

Hazing is any activity that endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any student organization.

This includes (but isn’t limited to):

• Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “drink till you puke”)
• Extreme physical exercise (500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, “suicides”)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Beatings with paddles or other objects
• Sleep deprivation
• Forced consumption of food, milk, or other substances until vomiting
• Humiliation rituals (stripping, carrying sexual objects, being hog-tied)
• Psychological abuse and threats

In Indiana, hazing is a crime. Indiana Code § 35-42-2-2 defines hazing as a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the hazing results in serious bodily injury, it becomes a Level 6 felony, punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

But criminal charges aren’t your only recourse. You can also file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for medical bills, emotional trauma, lost wages, and pain and suffering — and to send a message that hazing will not be tolerated in Union County.

🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Union County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:

In our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and UH, we are suing all of these parties — including the national organization, the local chapter, individual members, and the university itself. The same legal strategies apply to hazing victims in Union County.

💰 What Is Your Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, especially when serious injuries or deaths occur. Here’s what other families have recovered:

These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can — and do — win big. Even if your child wasn’t killed, serious injuries like rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury, or psychological trauma can support significant compensation.

Damages you can recover in a Union County hazing lawsuit include:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work or internships)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants and deter future hazing)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (if hazing impacted your child’s college experience)

📅 Why You Need to Act Now — Indiana’s Statute of Limitations

In Indiana, you have only 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your child was hazed recently, the clock is already ticking.

Waiting too long is one of the biggest mistakes hazing victims make. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Text messages get deleted. And once the 2-year deadline passes, you lose your right to sue forever.

Don’t let the fraternity or university silence your child. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Union County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing can cause internal injuries, dehydration, alcohol poisoning, or rhabdomyolysis (a life-threatening condition where muscle breakdown damages the kidneys). Get them checked by a doctor immediately. Medical records are critical evidence in your case.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of any injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.)
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, emails, social media posts)
• Write down everything your child remembers (dates, times, locations, who was involved, what was said)
• Get the names and contact info of any witnesses
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing or incriminating

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters whose job is to minimize your claim or deny it altogether. They may try to:

• Get your child to sign a waiver or settlement agreement
• Record a statement to use against them later
• Pressure them to “move on” or “keep it quiet”
• Offer a lowball settlement that doesn’t cover their medical bills

You are not required to talk to them. You have the right to have an attorney present.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

We offer free, confidential consultations to Union County families. We’ll:

• Listen to your child’s story without judgment
• Explain their legal rights in plain language
• Help preserve evidence before it disappears
• Handle all communication with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• Fight for the maximum compensation they deserve

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

🏆 Why Union County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies think. We know their tactics. And we know how to dismantle their defenses.

3. We Will Travel to Union County

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Indiana. We will:

• Come to Union County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Offer video consultations for convenience
• Handle everything remotely if preferred

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand that legal fees can be a barrier, especially for families dealing with medical bills and trauma. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:

• You pay nothing upfront
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict — not your pocket

5. We Speak Spanish (Se Habla Español)

Our team is bilingual, and we’re proud to serve Spanish-speaking families in Union County without language barriers.

6. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 25+ years of litigation experience
• Millions recovered for personal injury victims
• Federal court admission (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
• Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook

📞 Union County Families: You Have Rights. We Will Fight for Them.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We are available 24/7. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start building your case.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Union County

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still talk to a lawyer?

A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, consulting with an attorney can:

• Protect their rights
• Help them understand their options
• Prevent the fraternity or university from pressuring them into signing away their rights
• Preserve evidence in case they change their mind later

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

A: No. Indiana law — like laws in most states — does not allow consent as a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable for any injuries or harm caused.

Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect their students. If the university:

• Owns or controls the property where hazing occurred
• Has oversight authority over Greek organizations
• Had prior knowledge of hazing at their campus (or should have known)
• Failed to implement reasonable safeguards

…then they can be held liable for negligent supervision or premises liability.

Q: My child was hazed off campus. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Hazing laws apply on or off campus. If the hazing occurred at a private residence, an off-campus apartment, or any other location, you can still pursue legal action against the fraternity, its members, and any other responsible parties.

Q: What if my child was drinking during the hazing? Will that hurt their case?

A: Not necessarily. If the fraternity forced or pressured your child to drink, that can actually strengthen your case. Forced alcohol consumption is a common form of hazing, and fraternities can be held liable for the consequences.

Q: How long will a hazing lawsuit take?

Most hazing cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases involving multiple defendants (like universities and national organizations) can take longer. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive full and fair compensation.

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

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, hazing can cause serious psychological trauma, including:

• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Loss of trust
• Academic decline

These injuries are real, and they deserve compensation.

🔥 The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing doesn’t stop on its own. It stops when fraternities, sororities, and universities are held accountable — financially, legally, and publicly.

Union County families: Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves compensation. And future students deserve to be safe.

Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

We are ready to fight for you.