Hazing in Alabama: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Washington County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at an Alabama University, You Are Not Alone

A student from Washington County arrives at a prestigious Southeastern university, eager to belong. They accept a bid from a fraternity or sorority, believing it’s a path to friendship and legacy. What begins as “tradition” or “bonding” soon spirals into something darker: late-night summonses, forced drinking games, humiliating tasks, and physical exhaustion pushed far beyond safe limits. Your child is scared, injured, or deeply traumatized, but they’re terrified to speak up—afraid of retaliation, social exclusion, or “getting the chapter in trouble.”

This is not a hypothetical scenario. It is the reality for families across Alabama and the Southeast every academic year. The betrayal is profound: the institutions meant to educate and protect your child failed them. The groups promising brotherhood or sisterhood caused lasting harm.

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The details are harrowing: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced consumption of food until vomiting, hours of extreme calisthenics, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” This abuse caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization with risk of permanent damage.

This Texas case proves our firm’s active, serious hazing litigation capability. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in cases from Tuscaloosa to Auburn operate under the same dangerous patterns nationwide. If your child has been hazed at an Alabama university—whether they’re at the University of Alabama, Auburn University, or any campus across the South—you have rights and options.

This Guide Is for Washington County, Alabama Families

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and students in Washington County, Alabama, and surrounding communities across the Southeast who are facing the nightmare of campus hazing. Here, you will find:

• The Reality of Modern Hazing: What hazing actually looks like in 2025—far beyond old stereotypes.
• Alabama & Federal Law: Your legal rights under state and federal statutes.
• National Patterns, Local Impact: How the same fraternity and sorority histories that led to deaths at Ohio State, LSU, and Penn State play out on Alabama campuses.
• The Universities Washington County Students Attend: A focused look at hazing risks and histories at major Alabama and Southeastern schools.
• Practical, Immediate Steps: What to do in the first 48 hours if your child has been hazed.
• How Our Texas-Based Firm Can Help Alabama Families: Why Attorney911’s unique expertise in high-stakes institutional litigation matters for your case.

This is general information, not specific legal advice. Every hazing case is unique. We serve families nationwide and are ready to evaluate your situation confidentially.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Go to the ER or urgent care immediately. Tell doctors the injuries resulted from hazing.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears quickly. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Southern Campuses

Hazing is not “just partying” or “harmless tradition.” It is a calculated abuse of power designed to create loyalty through trauma. Under modern pressures and with digital tools, hazing has evolved into more insidious forms.

The Legal Definition

In Alabama, hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, reckless, or knowing act directed toward a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. This includes forced consumption of substances, physical brutality, or other forced activity that could adversely affect mental or physical health.

Modern Hazing Methods: From Overt to Digital

1. Substance Hazing (The Most Deadly Pattern):

• Forced Drinking: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, keg stands, lineups where pledges must finish alcohol.
• Coerced Drug Use: Pressure to consume marijuana, pills, or unknown substances as an “initiation.”
• Food/Ingestion Abuse: Forcing consumption of gross mixtures, excessive amounts of food (like milk or hot dogs), or non-food items until vomiting.

2. Physical & Psychological Hazing:

• “Workouts” or “Smokings”: Extreme, punitive calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse) under the guise of “conditioning.”
• Paddling or Beatings: Still prevalent despite national prohibitions, especially in some NPHC (Divine Nine) and IFC traditions.
• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night meetings, 3 AM wake-up calls, multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Humiliation & Degradation: Forced nudity, wearing embarrassing costumes in public, verbal abuse sessions (“roasts”), being covered in food or condiments.

3. Digital Hazing (The 2025 Norm):

• 24/7 Group Chat Control: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours; failure results in punishment.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
• Location Tracking: Required to share real-time location via apps like Find My Friends.
• Cyberbullying & Secrecy: Threats and intimidation via DM; orders to lie to parents and university officials.

4. Sexualized Hazing:

• Simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks”).
• Forced nudity or partial nudity.
• Coerced viewing of pornography or sharing of explicit images.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

Washington County families should be aware that hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Corps of Cadets and other military-style organizations.
• “Spirit” or “Tradition” Groups (like the University of Alabama’s “The Machine” legacy).

The common thread is a power imbalance, a culture of secrecy, and the twisted belief that suffering builds loyalty.

Alabama Hazing Laws & Legal Liability: A Primer for Families

Navigating the legal aftermath of hazing requires understanding both state criminal statutes and civil liability frameworks. While we are Texas-based attorneys, we have successfully handled cases across state lines by partnering with local counsel and applying our deep knowledge of institutional defense tactics.

Alabama’s Hazing Statutes

Alabama Code § 16-1-23 makes hazing a criminal offense. Key provisions include:

• Definition: Hazing is defined broadly as any willful act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into any organization, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of that student.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is classified as a Class C misdemeanor for the first offense. Subsequent offenses can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying more severe penalties.
• Consent is Not a Defense: The law explicitly states that the consent of the student is not a valid defense against a hazing charge.
• Duty to Report: The law requires any person at an institution of higher education who witnesses or has knowledge of hazing to report it to law enforcement or campus authorities.

Civil Liability: Holding Organizations Accountable

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit is what you, as a family, can file to seek compensation for the harm done to your child and to hold all responsible parties accountable. Potential defendants in a civil hazing case include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, executed, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity or sorority chapter as an entity (if incorporated).
3. The National Organization: The fraternity or sorority’s headquarters. They can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own policies, and for having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns at other chapters.
4. The University: Alabama universities like UA, Auburn, UAB, and Troy have a legal duty to protect students. They can be sued for negligent supervision, premises liability (if hazing occurred in university-owned housing), and under Title IX if the hazing involved sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alumni advisors, or event venues that enabled the dangerous conduct.

The Federal Legal Overlay

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual assault, harassment, or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX regulations require the university to investigate and provide a safe environment. Our firm has federal court experience navigating these claims.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crimes, including assaults and alcohol/drug violations that often accompany hazing.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law will require colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency nationwide.

Why “They Agreed to It” Fails as a Defense

A common defense from fraternities is, “The pledge consented.” This is legally meaningless in hazing cases. Alabama law, like Texas’s, explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize that a power imbalance, fear of social exclusion, and group coercion negate any notion of true, voluntary consent.

National Hazing Incidents: Patterns That Repeat in Alabama

The tragic cases below are not just news stories from other states. They are blueprints of the exact patterns of negligence, coercion, and institutional failure that Alabama families face. The same national organizations operate chapters at your child’s school.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death: A Persistent Pattern

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
• Max Gruver – LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, strengthening felony hazing laws.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died of alcohol poisoning after a “Big Brother” night. The chapter was closed, and FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life.

Physical Brutality & Lasting Injury

• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after forced drinking, leaving him unable to walk, talk, or see. His family has settled with multiple defendants for confidential, multi-million-dollar amounts.
• Texas A&M SAE Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million.

What This Means for Washington County Families

These national cases establish critical legal precedents:

1. Foreseeability: National fraternities cannot claim they “didn’t know” forced drinking could kill—the pattern is established.
2. Institutional Liability: Courts consistently hold both local chapters and national headquarters responsible.
3. High-Value Cases: Juries and settlement negotiations reflect the severe, lifelong impact of hazing injuries, with verdicts and settlements routinely in the millions of dollars.
4. The Same Organizations Are in Alabama: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), and Kappa Sigma all have active chapters at Alabama universities. Their national histories are directly relevant to your case.

Hazing at Universities Where Washington County Families Send Their Students

Washington County students often attend flagship Alabama institutions as well as major universities across the Southeast known for strong Greek life traditions. Understanding the specific landscape at these schools is crucial.

University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)

Campus Snapshot: UA is synonymous with Southern Greek life. Its fraternity and sorority system is one of the largest and most influential in the nation, with deep traditions and significant social power.
Hazing Reality: With size comes significant risk. National headlines have touched UA Greek life, and the university maintains an online hazing violation log. Incidents range from forced drinking and sleep deprivation to physical “workouts” and paddling allegations, particularly during the prolonged fall rush season.
For Washington County Families: A student at UA may be hours from home, immersed in a powerful social system. The geographic distance can make it harder for parents to spot warning signs early. Evidence preservation must be immediate and digital.

Auburn University

Campus Snapshot: Auburn’s close-knit campus and strong school spirit are complemented by a robust Greek community. Like UA, fraternity and sorority affiliation is a major part of campus social identity.
Hazing Reality: Auburn has faced public hazing incidents, including chapter suspensions and probations. The university has anti-hazing policies and reporting mechanisms, but the secretive nature of “pledge semesters” means much goes unreported until crisis strikes.
Legal Jurisdiction: Incidents may involve Auburn Campus Police, the City of Auburn Police, or the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, depending on location.

Other Alabama & Regional Universities

• University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB): While more commuter-based, Greek life exists and carries similar risks.
• Troy University, University of South Alabama, Jacksonville State University: Each has Greek systems where hazing incidents have occurred and been documented.
• SEC & Southern Peer Schools: Many Washington County students attend universities like University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, or Ole Miss. These schools share the intense Greek culture of the SEC, with comparable hazing risks and histories.

University Response: What to Expect

When an incident surfaces, universities often initiate a dual process:

1. Student Conduct Investigation: An internal administrative process that can lead to chapter probation, suspension, or expulsion of individual students. This process is not designed to compensate your family.
2. Potential Criminal Referral: The university may refer the case to local law enforcement.
   Caution: Universities have a powerful incentive to control the narrative, minimize liability, and protect their reputation. They may pressure families towards quick, confidential internal resolutions that waive your right to pursue legal action.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories on Alabama Campuses

The letters on your child’s t-shirt represent a national brand with a known history. This history is not just background noise; it is central to proving negligence and foreseeability in a lawsuit.

Why the National Organization’s History Matters

If a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at an Alabama school forces a pledge to drink excessively, the national headquarters cannot credibly claim it was an “unforeseeable, rogue incident.” Their own history—including the Stone Foltz death—proves they knew this exact activity was lethal. In court, we use this pattern evidence to show:

• The national had prior knowledge of the danger.
• Their anti-hazing policies were inadequately enforced.
• They failed in their duty to supervise and train local chapters.

Major Nationals with Chapters in Alabama

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Multiple hazing deaths nationally, including Stone Foltz. Settlements in the tens of millions.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced numerous hazing lawsuits, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M and a traumatic brain injury case at the University of Alabama.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey death at FSU.
• Kappa Sigma: Has faced hazing allegations and lawsuits across the country, including at Texas A&M.
• NPHC Organizations (Divine Nine): Have faced high-profile hazing cases involving physical brutality, though national policies officially prohibit such acts.

Investigating the “Chain of Liability”

Our approach involves mapping the entire organizational structure behind a chapter:

• The undergraduate chapter members and officers.
• The local alumni board or housing corporation (which may own the house and insurance).
• The regional/national headquarters and their insurers.
• The university’s office of Greek life and risk management.
  This thorough investigation is how we identify all potential sources of recovery and accountability, not just the most obvious ones.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires converting a traumatic experience into a compelling legal narrative backed by irrefutable evidence. This is where our firm’s investigative rigor and litigation experience make the difference.

Critical Evidence in a Modern Hazing Case

1. Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. We secure and analyze:
   • Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning, coordination, and admissions.
   • Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchats, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts that document events or humiliation.
   • Recovered Data: Through digital forensics, we can often recover deleted messages and media.
2. Medical Records: Documentation is everything. This includes ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (like toxicology or CK levels for rhabdomyolysis), and follow-up care with specialists and mental health professionals (for PTSD, anxiety, depression).
3. University & National Records: Through discovery and subpoenas, we obtain:
   • The chapter’s prior conduct history with the university.
   • Incident reports filed with the national headquarters.
   • Risk management manuals and training materials.
4. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders are crucial. We interview them early, before memories fade or they are pressured into silence.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Lawsuit

A successful civil case seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable through financial compensation for:

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for catastrophic injuries).
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity (if injuries prevent chosen career paths).
  • Lost educational costs (withdrawals, transfers).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Severe emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
  • For families in wrongful death cases: funeral costs, loss of companionship, and grief.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Institutional Defense Tactics

We know the playbook because our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), used to be an insurance defense attorney for large institutional clients. We anticipate and counter their common strategies:

• “Consent/Assumption of Risk”: We counter with the law and psychology of coercion.
• “Rogue Individuals”: We prove pattern and practice from the national level down.
• Insurance Coverage Disputes: We navigate complex policies to maximize recovery.
• Delay & Pressure Tactics: We move aggressively to preserve evidence and keep the case on track.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Washington County Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Response Guide

If you suspect or discover hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get your child medical care immediately. Be present and supportive, not angry.
2. Become an Evidence Archivist:
   • Help your child screenshot every relevant digital communication. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear.
   • Take clear, dated photos of all injuries.
   • Write a detailed timeline of events as told by your child.
3. Understand Your Reporting Options (Consult a Lawyer First):
   • University Reporting: Can be done via the Dean of Students or Office of Student Conduct.
   • Law Enforcement: Local police may investigate if crimes (assault, furnishing alcohol to minors) occurred.
   • National Hotline: The National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE) allows for anonymous reporting.
4. Consult an Attorney Before Engaging: Do not make statements to university administrators, insurance adjusters, or the organization without legal counsel. We can guide you on the strategic order of operations.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You have the right to be safe. No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for those hazing you.
• Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Policies: Most Alabama universities have policies protecting those who call for help in an alcohol-related emergency from minor disciplinary action. Use them.
• Exiting Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a clear, written resignation. If you fear retaliation, document it and report it immediately.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

• Deleting evidence (texts, photos, social media).
• Confronting the chapter directly, giving them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
• Signing a university “resolution agreement” without an attorney reviewing it—you may be waiving your right to sue.
• Posting about the incident on public social media, which can be used against you.
• Waiting too long. Evidence vanishes, witnesses become uncooperative, and statutes of limitations apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue an Alabama university for hazing?
A: Yes. While public universities have certain legal protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and other misconduct. Private universities have fewer protections. The specific facts of your case determine the viability of claims against the school.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: The statute of limitations varies by state and claim type. In Alabama, the time limit can be as short as two years. Do not wait. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

Q: Will our case be public?
A: Most civil hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We can often negotiate settlements that include confidentiality provisions to protect your family’s privacy.

Q: We live in Alabama. How can a Texas firm help us?
A: We serve hazing victims and families nationwide. For Alabama cases, we work as co-counsel with licensed Alabama attorneys, bringing our specialized hazing litigation and institutional insurance expertise to the local legal team. We also provide comprehensive case evaluation and strategic consultation. If your case has connections to Texas (e.g., a national fraternity headquartered or insured here), we may be able to take a leading role.

Why Choose Attorney911? Texas-Based Hazing Specialists Serving Alabama Families

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a local personal injury attorney. You need a firm with proven experience taking on the powerful institutions that protect hazing cultures: national fraternities, sororities, and universities. You need Attorney911.

Our Unique Qualifications for Your Hazing Case

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Experience):
Mr. Peña spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insight is invaluable in securing full and fair compensation.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation—a billion-dollar case against a corporate giant. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed national fraternities or university legal teams. We have federal court experience and know how to manage high-stakes, document-intensive cases.

3. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation:
We are not theorists. We are currently leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are in the trenches right now, fighting the exact same types of defendants that Alabama families face.

4. A National, Data-Driven Perspective:
We maintain investigative resources on Greek organizations across the country. This allows us to quickly identify patterns, prior incidents, and liability chains that a firm only handling local cases might miss.

5. Spanish-Language Services Available:
Se habla Español. Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Washington County and beyond can navigate this process comfortably in their native language.

6. Co-Counsel & Consultation Model for Alabama Families:
While we are based in Texas, we have successfully assisted families across the country. For Alabama cases, we partner with excellent local counsel, providing our specialized hazing strategy while ensuring all proceedings comply with Alabama law and procedure.

Your Confidential Consultation: What to Expect

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you will speak directly with our team. Your consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation. We will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Explain the legal landscape and your potential options.
• Discuss the critical importance of evidence preservation.
• Outline how our co-counsel model works for Alabama residents.
• Answer your questions about costs (we work on a contingency fee basis—no fee unless we recover money for you).

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

The shame, fear, and institutional inertia surrounding hazing can make families feel isolated and powerless. You are neither. Your child deserves justice, healing, and accountability. Holding these organizations responsible not only helps your family recover but can prevent the next tragedy.

If your child has been hazed at an Alabama university or any college nationwide, take the first step toward accountability today.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911)
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com

We serve families in Washington County, across Alabama, and throughout the United States.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com