Hazing Victims in Warren County, Ohio: Your Legal Rights and How to Seek Justice

This Could Happen in Warren County — And It Likely Already Has

Warren County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They assume that when their child joins a fraternity or sorority, the national organization will enforce safety standards.

But the truth is devastating.

Just weeks ago in Houston, a University of Houston fraternity pledge was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck with wooden paddles as part of “pledge activities.” The young man—who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet—ended up in the hospital for four days with kidney failure from rhabdomyolysis. His name is Leonel Bermudez, and his family is now suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate at universities near Warren County. The same hazing “traditions” exist in Ohio. And the same negligence from universities and national organizations puts Warren County students at risk every year.

If your child has been hazed in Warren County—or anywhere in Ohio—you have legal rights. And you need an attorney who knows how to fight these powerful institutions.

What Warren County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Ohio

Ohio has strict anti-hazing laws under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.31. Hazing is defined as any act that recklessly or intentionally causes physical or mental harm to a student for the purpose of initiation into a group.

This includes:

• Forced alcohol consumption
• Extreme physical exercise (like 500 squats)
• Sleep deprivation
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Beating with paddles or other objects
• Psychological abuse or humiliation

Ohio law makes hazing a criminal offense—even if the victim “consented” to participate. Universities and fraternities can also be held civilly liable for failing to prevent hazing.

2. Universities Near Warren County Have Hazing Problems

Warren County is home to many students who attend colleges across Ohio. Some of the most prominent universities in the region—including Miami University, University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, and Wright State University—have all had documented hazing incidents in recent years.

Examples of hazing in Ohio:

• Miami University (2021): A fraternity was suspended after pledges were forced to drink excessive alcohol.
• Ohio State University (2019): A student was hospitalized after a fraternity hazing incident.
• University of Cincinnati (2018): Multiple fraternities were suspended for hazing violations.
• Wright State University (2020): A fraternity was shut down after reports of physical abuse during pledge activities.

If your child attends college near Warren County, they face the same risks that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez.

3. National Fraternities Have a Pattern of Negligence

Pi Kappa Phi—the fraternity involved in the UH case—has 150+ chapters across the U.S., including in Ohio. Despite knowing about deadly hazing incidents (like the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State), they failed to prevent the same abuse from happening again.

Other national fraternities with hazing histories in Ohio include:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Theta
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries, yet they continue to allow dangerous “traditions” to persist.

What Counts as Hazing in Warren County?

Many students—and even parents—don’t realize that hazing isn’t just about alcohol poisoning or physical beatings. Hazing can take many forms, including:

If your child experienced any of these, they may have a legal claim—even if they “consented.”

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Warren County?

When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

1. The Local Fraternity Chapter

• The chapter officers (president, pledge master, etc.) who organized the hazing
• The members who participated in or allowed the abuse

2. The National Fraternity Organization

• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Knew about prior incidents but did nothing to stop them
• Provided inadequate training or oversight

3. The University

• Owns or controls the fraternity house (premises liability)
• Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior hazing incidents
• Did not respond to reports of dangerous activities

4. Individual Members and Alumni

• Those who directly participated in hazing
• Those who hosted hazing events at their homes

In the UH case, Attorney 911 is suing:
✅ Pi Kappa Phi National
✅ The local UH chapter
✅ The University of Houston (which owned the fraternity house)
✅ Individual fraternity members and alumni

Warren County families can pursue the same defendants if their child was hazed.

What Can Warren County Families Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays
• Surgery or long-term treatment
• Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or depression

2. Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

• If the victim missed work or internships
• If injuries affect their ability to work in the future

3. Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional trauma from abuse
• Humiliation and psychological harm

4. Punitive Damages

• Additional compensation to punish the defendants for reckless or intentional misconduct
• Meant to deter future hazing

Recent hazing cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Louisiana State University)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Penn State University)

Warren County families can recover similar compensation.

What Should Warren County Families Do If Their Child Was Hazed?

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away. Get them checked by a doctor.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of injuries, hazing locations, or any objects used
• Save all communications (texts, GroupMe messages, social media posts)
• Get witness names and contact information
• Keep medical records and bills

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

• They will try to minimize the incident
• They may pressure your child to sign documents
• They may destroy evidence

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing case in Texas—and we can help Warren County families too.

We offer:
✅ Free consultations (no upfront cost)
✅ Contingency fee representation (you pay nothing unless we win)
✅ Nationwide reach (we can represent Ohio victims)
✅ Aggressive litigation (we don’t back down from powerful institutions)

Why Warren County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

2. We Have Insider Knowledge of Fraternities and Universities

Our attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena have decades of experience in personal injury and litigation. Both are former insurance defense attorneys, which means we know how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability—and we know how to counter their tactics.

3. We Can Represent Warren County Victims Nationwide

Even though we’re based in Texas, we can represent hazing victims in Warren County and across Ohio because:

• We’re admitted to federal court (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• We have dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
• We offer video consultations and travel to Warren County for depositions and trials

4. We Don’t Just Settle—We Fight for Maximum Compensation

Many law firms push for quick settlements to avoid trial. We don’t. We’re prepared to take hazing cases to court to get Warren County families the compensation they deserve.

5. We Care About Our Clients

We see your child as a person—not just a case. We’ve met families who’ve lost children to hazing, and we know the emotional toll it takes. We will fight for you like family.

Warren County Hazing Cases We Can Handle

We represent victims of hazing in all types of organizations, including:

Warren County Families: The Clock Is Ticking

Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue.

Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Universities and fraternities destroy records.

Don’t let them get away with it.

Contact Attorney 911 Today—Free Consultation for Warren County Families

If your child has been hazed at a college near Warren County—or anywhere in Ohio—we can help.

📞 Call our 24/7 legal emergency hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations
✔ No upfront fees—you pay nothing unless we win
✔ Video consultations for Warren County families
✔ Aggressive representation against universities and fraternities

Don’t wait. Call now before evidence disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions for Warren County Families

1. My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Can we still sue?

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a case for:

• Emotional distress
• PTSD or anxiety
• Humiliation or psychological harm

2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Can they still be liable?

Yes. Ohio law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

3. We’re worried about retaliation. Will the fraternity target my child if we sue?

We take steps to protect our clients from retaliation, including:

• Filing restraining orders if necessary
• Ensuring confidentiality in legal proceedings
• Holding fraternities accountable for any intimidation

4. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case
• Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

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

Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If the fraternity or its members were involved, they can be held liable.

6. What if the university claims they didn’t know about the hazing?

Universities have a duty to monitor Greek life and prevent hazing. If they failed to act on prior incidents or ignored warning signs, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.

7. How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits typically take 1-3 years to resolve. Some settle quickly; others go to trial. We work to maximize your compensation as efficiently as possible.

8. Can we sue if the hazing happened at a private university near Warren County?

Yes. Private universities have the same legal obligations as public schools to prevent hazing.

Warren County Parents: Protect Your Child Before It’s Too Late

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys” or “just a tradition.” It’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it can be deadly.

If your child has been hazed at a college near Warren County—or anywhere in Ohio—don’t stay silent. The fraternities, universities, and national organizations will try to cover it up. They’ll pressure your child to keep quiet. They’ll destroy evidence.

But you don’t have to let them get away with it.

Attorney 911 is here to fight for Warren County families. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case, and we know how to hold these institutions accountable.

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

The next victim could be someone you know. Don’t let it happen.