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Ware County (Earth/North America/United States/Georgia/Ware County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 21, 2026 14 min read
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Hazing Lawyers in Ware County, GA – Protecting Students & Holding Institutions Accountable

Ware County Parents: Your Child Could Be Next

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes murder—and it’s happening at colleges and universities near Ware County, GA.

Just weeks ago, a University of Houston student was hospitalized with kidney failure after fraternity members waterboarded him, forced him to do 500 squats, and struck him with wooden paddles during hazing rituals. His family is now suing for $10 million—and we’re the attorneys fighting this case.

The same fraternities operate in Georgia.
The same universities turn a blind eye.
The same hazing culture exists near Ware County.

If your child was hazed—physically, emotionally, or psychologically—we can help. Call us now before evidence disappears and your rights expire.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Ware County families)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Georgia)

Georgia law defines hazing as any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.

Common Hazing Practices in Georgia (That Could Be Happening Near Ware County)

Physical Abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
Forced Consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food items (until vomiting)
Waterboarding & Drowning – Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets
Sleep Deprivation – Forced late-night activities, no rest
Psychological Torture – Humiliation, threats, isolation
Sexual Humiliation – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects
Extreme Exposure – Forced to endure heat, cold, or dangerous conditions

This isn’t “brotherhood.” It’s a crime.

Georgia Hazing Laws – What Ware County Families Need to Know

Georgia Code § 16-5-60 – Hazing is a Criminal Offense

  • Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes physical harm
  • Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death
  • No Consent Defense: Even if a student “agreed” to hazing, it’s still illegal

Civil Liability – You Can Sue for Damages

If your child was hazed, you can sue:
The fraternity/sorority chapter
The national organization (they have deep pockets)
The university (if they knew and failed to act)
Individual members (personal liability)

Ware County families can recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
  • Lost wages & educational disruption
  • Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Real Cases, Real Verdicts – This Could Happen in Ware County

$10.1 Million Settlement (Ohio – Pi Kappa Alpha)

  • Victim: Stone Foltz (20)
  • Hazing: Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol
  • Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning
  • Result: $10.1 million settlement from university and fraternity

$6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Louisiana – Phi Delta Theta)

  • Victim: Max Gruver (18)
  • Hazing: Forced drinking game (“Bible Study”)
  • Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495)
  • Result: $6.1 million jury verdict

$110+ Million Settlement (Penn State – Beta Theta Pi)

  • Victim: Timothy Piazza (19)
  • Hazing: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes
  • Outcome: Fell down stairs, died from brain injury
  • Result: $110+ million settlement

These same fraternities operate in Georgia. The same hazing is happening near Ware County.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Georgia

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can cause kidney failure (like our UH client)
  • Alcohol poisoning can be fatal
  • Psychological trauma (PTSD, depression) requires professional care

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Take photos of injuries (bruises, burns, cuts)
Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
Get witness names (other pledges, bystanders)
Document everything (dates, times, locations, what was said)

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

  • They will try to cover it up
  • They will destroy evidence
  • They will pressure your child to stay silent

Step 4: Call a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

  • Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations – don’t wait
  • Evidence disappears fast – fraternities delete messages, universities destroy records
  • We work on contingency – no upfront fees

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Ware County families)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Why Ware County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now

  • Client: Leonel Bermudez (UH student hospitalized with kidney failure)
  • Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced vomiting
  • Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston, individual members
  • Status: Lawsuit filed – media coverage on ABC, KHOU, Houston Chronicle

We know how to win these cases—and we’ll fight just as hard for Ware County families.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

  • Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña used to defend insurance companies
  • We know exactly how they try to deny claims
  • We use their own tactics against them

3. Nationwide Representation – We Serve Ware County, GA

  • Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide
  • Federal court authority – can sue national fraternities anywhere
  • Video consultations – no need to travel
  • We come to Ware County for depositions and trials

4. No Upfront Fees – We Only Get Paid If You Win

  • Contingency fee – you pay $0 upfront
  • We cover all case expenses
  • You only pay if we win your case

5. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

  • Many hazing victims are Hispanic or international students
  • We ensure no language barriers to justice

Ware County Universities & Colleges – Hazing Risks Near You

Georgia is home to dozens of colleges and universities where hazing occurs. If your child attends (or plans to attend) any of these schools, they could be at risk:

Nearby Georgia Universities with Greek Life (Where Hazing Could Happen)

University Location Greek Life Presence
Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA (~1 hour from Ware County) Active fraternities & sororities
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA (~2.5 hours) Large Greek system
University of Georgia (UGA) Athens, GA (~4 hours) One of the largest Greek systems in the U.S.
Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA (~4.5 hours) Active fraternities & sororities
Emory University Atlanta, GA (~4.5 hours) Ivy League-level Greek life
Mercer University Macon, GA (~3 hours) Strong Greek presence
Columbus State University Columbus, GA (~3 hours) Active fraternities & sororities
Savannah State University Savannah, GA (~3 hours) Historically Black Greek organizations
Albany State University Albany, GA (~1.5 hours) Active Greek life

The same national fraternities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc.) have chapters at these schools—and they have a history of hazing.

Ware County Parents: What You Need to Watch For

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed

Sudden secrecy – Won’t talk about fraternity/sorority activities
Unexplained injuries – Bruises, cuts, burns, limping
Extreme exhaustion – Falling asleep in class, missing assignments
Withdrawal – Avoiding friends/family, depression
Mysterious errands – Forced to run errands for older members
Late-night activities – Coming home at odd hours, sleep deprivation
Weight loss – Forced exercise, poor nutrition
Strange objects – Carrying paddles, fanny packs with odd items

Medical Red Flags (Seek Help Immediately)

🚨 Dark/brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown – rhabdomyolysis)
🚨 Severe muscle pain (can indicate kidney failure)
🚨 Vomiting after forced eating/drinking
🚨 Confusion, dizziness, fainting (signs of alcohol poisoning)
🚨 Panic attacks, nightmares, PTSD symptoms

If you see these signs, your child may be in danger. Call us immediately.

Georgia Hazing Deaths & Cases – This Has Happened Before

1. Max Gruver (LSU – 2017)

  • Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta
  • Hazing: Forced drinking game (“Bible Study”)
  • Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495)
  • Result: $6.1 million jury verdict

2. Tucker Hipps (Clemson – 2014)

  • Fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon
  • Hazing: Forced to run at night, fell from bridge
  • Outcome: Died
  • Result: $500,000+ settlement

3. Stone Foltz (Bowling Green – 2021)

  • Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha
  • Hazing: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
  • Outcome: Died from alcohol poisoning
  • Result: $10.1 million settlement

These same fraternities have chapters in Georgia. The same hazing is happening near Ware County.

Ware County Families: You Have Rights – We Can Help

What We Can Do for You

Investigate the hazing – We gather evidence (texts, videos, witness statements)
Hold all parties accountable – Fraternity, university, individual members
Maximize your compensation – Medical bills, pain & suffering, punitive damages
Protect your child’s future – Academic, emotional, and financial recovery
Prevent future hazing – Your case could save other Ware County students

We’ve Done It Before – We’ll Do It for You

  • $10 million hazing lawsuit (currently fighting in Texas)
  • Multi-million dollar personal injury verdicts
  • Former insurance defense attorneys – we know how to beat their tactics

Ware County Hazing Victims: Call Us Before It’s Too Late

🚨 Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations – don’t wait
🚨 Evidence disappears fast – fraternities delete messages, universities destroy records
🚨 Your child’s future depends on action now

Free, Confidential Consultation – No Obligation

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Ware County families)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win.

Ware County Parents: This Could Be Your Child

Imagine if this happened to your son or daughter:

  • Waterboarded with a garden hose until they fear drowning
  • Forced to do 500 squats until their muscles break down
  • Struck with wooden paddles for “discipline”
  • Hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme exertion
  • Too afraid to speak up because of threats and intimidation

This isn’t a hypothetical. It’s happening at colleges near Ware County, GA.

Don’t let your child become the next victim. If they’ve been hazed, call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Ware County Families

1. Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Georgia law applies to hazing on or off campus.

2. Can we sue if my child “consented” to hazing?

Yes. Georgia law says consent is not a defense—hazing is illegal regardless.

3. Can we sue the national fraternity, or just the local chapter?

Both. National organizations have deep pockets and can be held liable for failing to supervise.

4. What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

✅ We protect our clients. Fraternities cannot intimidate you into silence.

5. How much is a hazing case worth in Georgia?

  • Minor injuries: $50,000–$200,000
  • Serious injuries (hospitalization): $500,000–$5 million+
  • Wrongful death: $1 million–$10+ million

6. How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Georgia?

2 years from the date of the hazing incident. Do not wait.

7. Do we have to pay upfront for a hazing lawyer?

No. We work on contingency—you pay $0 unless we win.

Ware County: It’s Time to End the Silence

Hazing thrives in secrecy. But it ends when victims speak up.

If your child was hazed—physically, emotionally, or psychologically—we can help.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Ware County families)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

No upfront fees. No risk. Just justice.

Ware County Parents: Your Child’s Life Matters More Than “Tradition”

Fraternities will tell you:
“It’s just tradition.”
“Everyone goes through it.”
“It builds character.”

We say:
It’s assault.
It’s illegal.
It can kill.

Don’t let your child become the next statistic. Call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Ware County families deserve justice. We’ll fight for you.

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