🚨 Hazing Victims in Vinton County, Ohio — You Are Not Alone
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Vinton County, Ohio — we can help.
At Attorney 911, we are fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit right now against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all in the name of “tradition.”
This isn’t tradition. This is abuse. This is illegal. And it happens at schools near Vinton County too.
🔍 Does This Sound Like What Happened to Your Child?
✅ Extreme physical punishment — forced exercise, beatings, paddling
✅ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning — sprayed with hoses, held underwater
✅ Sleep deprivation — forced to stay up all night, drive members, attend events
✅ Psychological abuse — humiliation, threats, carrying degrading objects
✅ Hospitalization — rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, traumatic injuries
✅ Fear of speaking out — threatened with expulsion, social ostracism, retaliation
If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed. And you have legal rights.
💡 Why Vinton County Families Choose Attorney 911
| Why Us? | What It Means for Vinton County Families |
|---|---|
| We’re fighting this battle RIGHT NOW | We know the defendants, the tactics, and how to win |
| $10 million hazing lawsuit in progress | Our current case proves we can pursue high-value claims |
| Former insurance defense attorneys | We know how defendants try to minimize claims — and how to fight back |
| Federal court authority | We can pursue your case in federal court if needed |
| Dual-state bar licenses | Texas AND New York — strategic advantage against national organizations |
| We travel to Vinton County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings — distance is not a barrier |
| Video consultations available | Meet with us remotely from Vinton County |
| Contingency fee — $0 upfront | You pay nothing unless we win your case |
| Se habla español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families |
| 25+ years of litigation experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts |
🏛️ Universities Near Vinton County With Greek Life
While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. Many universities near Vinton County have active Greek organizations where hazing occurs:
Ohio University (Athens, OH — ~30 miles from Vinton County)
- Fraternities: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and others
- Sororities: Multiple Panhellenic chapters
- Greek Life Size: Large, established system
Marshall University (Huntington, WV — ~60 miles from Vinton County)
- Fraternities: Multiple chapters, including some of the same nationals as in our current case
- Sororities: Multiple chapters
Ohio State University (Columbus, OH — ~90 miles from Vinton County)
- Fraternities: One of the largest Greek systems in the country — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and many others operate here
- Sororities: Large Panhellenic and multicultural chapters
University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY — ~120 miles from Vinton County)
- Fraternities: Active Greek system with multiple chapters
- Sororities: Multiple chapters
The same national fraternities involved in our current lawsuit have chapters at these universities. If your child was hazed at a fraternity near Vinton County, we can help.
⚖️ What Vinton County Families Can Sue For
Hazing is not just a violation of school policy — it’s often a crime, and it always creates civil liability. Vinton County families can pursue compensation for:
| Category | Examples | Vinton County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | Your child’s medical costs from hazing injuries |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to recovery | If your child had to miss work or internships |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma | The agony of waterboarding, forced exercise, humiliation |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation | Long-term psychological impact from hazing |
| Educational Disruption | Dropped classes, failed courses, delayed graduation | Impact on your child’s academic progress |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for outrageous conduct | When hazing involves torture, cover-ups, or knowing disregard |
In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million. Vinton County families can pursue similar compensation.
📜 Ohio Hazing Laws — Your Legal Rights
Ohio has strong anti-hazing laws that protect Vinton County students:
Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31 — Hazing
Definition:
Any act or coercion to consume alcohol or drugs, or participate in any activity that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm, for the purpose of initiation into any student or other organization.
Criminal Penalties:
| Offense Level | Conduct | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor (4th degree) | Hazing that creates risk of harm | Up to 30 days in jail, $250 fine |
| Felony (3rd degree) | Hazing that causes serious physical harm | 1-5 years in prison, $10,000 fine |
| Felony (2nd degree) | Hazing that causes death | 2-8 years in prison, $15,000 fine |
Key Provision:
“Consent of the victim is not a defense to hazing.” — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal.
Ohio Revised Code § 3345.19 — Institutional Reporting
Universities must report hazing incidents to law enforcement. Failure to report is a misdemeanor.
💰 Precedent Cases — Vinton County Families Can Win Big
Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across America:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Why It Matters for Vinton County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State (OH) | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million | Ohio jury awarded $10M — shows Vinton County juries will punish hazing |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million verdict | Jury verdict proves high-value awards are possible |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million | Strong evidence leads to massive settlements |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential | Same fraternity as our current case — pattern of negligence |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million | Recent settlement shows ongoing litigation success |
Vinton County families can achieve similar results. The same legal strategies apply in Ohio.
📋 What Vinton County Families Should Do RIGHT NOW
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
- Get your child checked by a doctor immediately — even if injuries seem minor
- Document all injuries with photos and medical records
- Request copies of all medical reports
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- DO NOT delete any texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, or social media posts
- Take screenshots of all communications about hazing
- Save photos/videos from pledge events
- Write down everything your child remembers — dates, times, locations, who was involved
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- DO NOT confront fraternity/sorority leadership
- DO NOT give statements to university administrators
- DO NOT sign anything from the organization or their lawyers
- DO NOT accept settlement offers without legal counsel
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 — available 24/7
- Email ralph@atty911.com
- Schedule a free video consultation — we can meet with Vinton County families remotely
- We will evaluate your case and explain your legal options
Step 5: Report the Incident
- Consider filing a police report
- Report to the university’s Title IX office
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization
⏳ Time Is Critical — Ohio Statute of Limitations
Ohio law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit:
- Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death
DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your rights expire.
Call us today so we can preserve your case.
❓ Common Questions from Vinton County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they “consented.” Can we still sue?
A: YES. Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the hazing is still illegal and the perpetrators can be held liable.
Q: The fraternity says it was just “tradition.” Is that an excuse?
A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify abuse. Waterboarding, forced exercise, and physical beatings are not tradition — they are torture, assault, and battery. Courts and juries do not accept “tradition” as a defense.
Q: We’re in Vinton County — can you help us from Texas?
A: ABSOLUTELY. While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide. We offer:
- Video consultations
- Remote case management
- Travel to Vinton County for depositions and trials
- Federal court authority to pursue your case
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We understand the fear of retaliation. Many hazing victims are threatened with expulsion or social ostracism if they speak out. We protect our clients. Our client in the UH case is also fearful of retribution — we are fighting to protect him and will do the same for your child.
Q: How much will this cost us?
A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, so there’s no financial risk to your family.
Q: What if the fraternity is already closed? Can we still sue?
A: YES. Even if the chapter is closed, you can still sue:
- The national organization that failed to supervise
- The university that failed to protect students
- Individual members who participated
- Former members who hosted hazing events
- Insurance companies that provide coverage
🎯 Our Message to Vinton County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Vinton County: We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If your chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity — the national organization, the housing corporation, the alumni oversight board, and individual members.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Vinton County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston. Your chapter could be next.
To the universities near Vinton County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
If you own fraternity houses, if you allow Greek life to operate, if you fail to protect students from known hazing risks — you are liable. Act now or face the same accountability.
📞 Vinton County Families — Call Us Now
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization near Vinton County, Ohio — we can help.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 — Available 24/7
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront costs. We don’t get paid unless you do.
We will travel to Vinton County for your case. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Fight Back.
Vinton County families — your child deserves justice. Your family deserves accountability. Let’s hold them responsible.
