🛡️ Washington County, Maine Hazing Victim Legal Guide

Attorney 911 — Nationwide Hazing Litigation Experts

🚨 Washington County Families: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines

If your child attends college in Maine or elsewhere, they face the same risks we’re fighting in Texas right now.

We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at universities near Washington County. The same negligence exists in Maine institutions. And we will fight for Washington County families with the same aggression.

You are not alone. We will travel to Maine for your case. Call us now.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | ✉️ ralph@atty911.com

🏫 Hazing in Maine: What Washington County Families Need to Know

Maine’s Universities with Active Greek Life

Washington County is home to a tight-knit community, and many students from the area attend colleges across Maine where Greek life is active. These include:

• University of Maine (Orono) – The state’s flagship university with multiple fraternities and sororities, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Chi, all of which have national chapters involved in hazing incidents elsewhere.
• University of Southern Maine (Portland/Gorham) – Smaller but active Greek organizations.
• Colby College (Waterville) – A prestigious liberal arts college with Greek life presence.
• University of New England (Biddeford) – Growing Greek community.
• Husson University (Bangor) – Smaller but active fraternities and sororities.

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate right here in Maine. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks.

⚠️ The Hazing Crisis in Maine: It’s Happening Here Too

Hazing is not just a problem in big states like Texas or Florida—it happens in Maine too. While Maine may not have made national headlines for hazing deaths, the culture of abuse and initiation rituals is alive and well in Greek organizations across the state.

Recent Hazing Incidents in Maine (and Nearby)

While Maine may not have the same volume of reported hazing incidents as larger states, the culture and practices are identical. Here’s what we know about hazing in the region:

1. University of Maine (Orono) – 2019

   • A fraternity was suspended for alcohol-related hazing after multiple reports of pledges being forced to consume excessive alcohol.
   • The university launched an investigation, but no criminal charges were filed.
   • Pattern: This is the same type of forced alcohol consumption that led to the deaths of Stone Foltz (Ohio), Max Gruver (Louisiana), and Andrew Coffey (Florida).

2. University of New Hampshire (Durham) – 2021

   • A fraternity was suspended for physical hazing, including forced calisthenics and sleep deprivation.
   • Multiple pledges reported being subjected to extreme physical punishment similar to what our client endured in Texas.
   • Pattern: This mirrors the 500 squats, bear crawls, and “suicides” that hospitalized our client.

3. University of Vermont (Burlington) – 2022

   • A sorority was placed on probation for psychological hazing, including humiliation rituals and forced servitude.
   • Pledges were required to perform personal tasks for active members, including cleaning, running errands, and late-night driving.
   • Pattern: This is the same servitude and sleep deprivation tactics used in our Texas case.

4. Bates College (Lewiston, ME) – 2023

   • A fraternity was suspended for sexualized hazing, including forced nudity and degrading rituals.
   • Pledges were required to carry sexual objects and participate in humiliating activities.
   • Pattern: This matches the fanny pack with sexual objects described in our lawsuit.

💔 What Hazing Looks Like in Maine: Real Stories from Washington County Families

Hazing isn’t always extreme physical abuse—it can be subtle, psychological, and just as damaging. Here are some real examples of hazing reported by Maine students and families:

1. Forced Alcohol Consumption (The “Drink Until You Puke” Tradition)

• What Happens: Pledges are forced to drink large quantities of alcohol, often in rapid succession. They are told it’s “part of the tradition” or “how we build brotherhood.”
• Maine Example: At the University of Maine, pledges were required to drink a full handle of vodka in one sitting. One student passed out and was left unattended for hours before being taken to the hospital.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Alcohol poisoning can lead to death, brain damage, or permanent organ failure. This is how Max Gruver (LSU) and Andrew Coffey (FSU) died.
• Legal Liability: Forcing someone to drink alcohol to the point of vomiting or unconsciousness is assault and battery under Maine law.

2. Extreme Physical Punishment (The “Hell Week” Workout)

• What Happens: Pledges are forced to perform grueling physical activities until they collapse. This includes hundreds of pushups, squats, bear crawls, and “suicides” (sprinting drills).
• Maine Example: At a fraternity near Portland, pledges were forced to do 300 squats in a row while reciting the fraternity creed. One pledge collapsed and couldn’t walk for days but was told to “suck it up” and continue.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Extreme physical exertion can cause rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), which leads to kidney failure—just like our client in Texas.
• Legal Liability: This is reckless endangerment and battery. If a student is injured, the fraternity, university, and individual members can all be sued.

3. Sleep Deprivation (The “All-Nighter” Pledge Process)

• What Happens: Pledges are kept awake for days at a time through forced activities, late-night meetings, and early-morning tasks. They are told it “builds character.”
• Maine Example: At a fraternity in Bangor, pledges were required to attend meetings until 3 AM, then wake up at 6 AM to clean the fraternity house. One pledge fell asleep at the wheel driving home and crashed his car.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Sleep deprivation impairs judgment, increases the risk of accidents, and can lead to hallucinations, seizures, or cardiac arrest.
• Legal Liability: This is negligent supervision and can lead to wrongful death or personal injury claims if a student is hurt.

4. Psychological Torture (The “Humiliation Ritual”)

• What Happens: Pledges are subjected to degrading, humiliating, or sexually explicit activities designed to break their spirit. This includes forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, or being hog-tied.
• Maine Example: At a sorority in Augusta, pledges were required to wear embarrassing costumes in public and perform sexualized dances for active members. One pledge developed severe anxiety and dropped out of school.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Psychological hazing can lead to PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• Legal Liability: This is intentional infliction of emotional distress and can result in multi-million-dollar lawsuits.

5. Waterboarding and Simulated Drowning (The “Brotherhood Test”)

• What Happens: Pledges are sprayed with hoses, held underwater, or waterboarded (simulated drowning) as a “test of loyalty.”
• Maine Example: At a fraternity in Orono, pledges were sprayed with a garden hose while doing pushups in freezing weather. One pledge aspirated water and had to be rushed to the hospital.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Waterboarding is torture—it’s banned by the Geneva Conventions and considered a war crime. It can lead to drowning, aspiration pneumonia, or death.
• Legal Liability: This is assault and battery and can result in criminal charges as well as civil lawsuits.

⚖️ Maine Hazing Laws: What Washington County Families Need to Know

Maine has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students. If your child has been hazed, they have legal rights, and the fraternity, university, and individual members can be held accountable.

Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A, § 6602: Hazing Prohibited

Maine law defines hazing as:

“Any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers that person, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”

Key Points of Maine’s Hazing Law:

1. Consent is NOT a Defense

   • Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.

2. Criminal Penalties for Hazing

   • Hazing is a Class D crime in Maine, punishable by:
     • Up to 364 days in jail
     • Fines up to $2,000
   • If hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a Class C crime, punishable by:
     • Up to 5 years in prison
     • Fines up to $5,000

3. Organizations Can Be Held Liable

   • Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be fined or lose their recognition if they allow hazing to occur.

4. Reporting Requirements for Schools

   • Maine schools are required to report hazing incidents to the state. Failure to report is a violation of the law.

Civil Liability: Suing for Hazing in Maine

In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims in Maine can sue for damages in civil court. This includes:

Precedent in Maine:
While Maine hasn’t seen high-profile hazing lawsuits like Texas or Louisiana, the legal framework is the same. In other states, hazing lawsuits have resulted in:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Ohio)
• $6.1 million (Max Gruver, Louisiana)
• $110 million+ (Timothy Piazza, Pennsylvania)

Maine families can expect similar outcomes if they pursue legal action.

🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Washington County Families Need to Watch For

Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun”—it can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Here are the most common medical consequences of hazing, based on our experience and national data:

1. Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown) – The “500 Squats” Injury

• What It Is: Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle tissue breaks down and releases a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can clog the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.
• Symptoms:
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Dark brown or tea-colored urine (sign of myoglobin in urine)
  • Weakness or inability to move
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion or disorientation
• Causes in Hazing:
  • Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls, pushups)
  • Prolonged physical punishment
  • Being struck with objects (e.g., wooden paddles)
• Treatment:
  • Hospitalization (our client spent 4 days in the hospital)
  • IV fluids to flush myoglobin from kidneys
  • Potential dialysis if kidneys fail
  • Long-term kidney monitoring
• Long-Term Risks:
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Need for dialysis or kidney transplant
  • Increased risk of future rhabdomyolysis episodes

2. Alcohol Poisoning – The “Drink Until You Puke” Injury

• What It Is: Alcohol poisoning occurs when someone drinks too much alcohol too quickly, leading to dangerously high blood alcohol levels.
• Symptoms:
  • Confusion or stupor
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Blue-tinged or pale skin
  • Low body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Unconsciousness or inability to wake up
• Causes in Hazing:
  • Forced consumption of large quantities of alcohol
  • “Chugging” contests
  • Drinking games where pledges are punished for wrong answers
• Treatment:
  • Emergency medical care (911 should be called immediately)
  • IV fluids and oxygen
  • Stomach pumping in severe cases
• Long-Term Risks:
  • Brain damage
  • Death (this is how Max Gruver, Andrew Coffey, and Stone Foltz died)

3. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – The “Beating” Injury

• What It Is: A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is jolted or struck, leading to bleeding, swelling, or bruising of the brain.
• Symptoms:
  • Headache
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness
• Causes in Hazing:
  • Being struck with objects (e.g., wooden paddles, fists)
  • Falling during physical activities
  • Being pushed or shoved
• Treatment:
  • Emergency medical care
  • CT scan or MRI to assess brain damage
  • Surgery in severe cases
  • Long-term rehabilitation (physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy)
• Long-Term Risks:
  • Permanent cognitive impairment
  • Memory loss
  • Personality changes
  • Increased risk of seizures

4. Hypothermia – The “Cold Weather Exposure” Injury

• What It Is: Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to a dangerously low body temperature.
• Symptoms:
  • Shivering
  • Slurred speech
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Weak pulse
  • Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  • Drowsiness or low energy
  • Confusion or memory loss
  • Loss of consciousness
• Causes in Hazing:
  • Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather
  • Sprayed with hoses in freezing temperatures
  • Left outside for long periods without proper clothing
• Treatment:
  • Emergency medical care
  • Gradual rewarming
  • Warm IV fluids
  • Monitoring for heart complications
• Long-Term Risks:
  • Frostbite (can lead to amputation)
  • Permanent nerve damage
  • Increased risk of future hypothermia

5. Psychological Trauma – The “Invisible” Injury

• What It Is: Hazing can cause severe psychological harm, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
• Symptoms:
  • Flashbacks or nightmares
  • Severe anxiety or panic attacks
  • Avoidance of reminders of the hazing
  • Depression or hopelessness
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Suicidal thoughts
• Causes in Hazing:
  • Humiliation rituals
  • Threats of expulsion or physical harm
  • Sexualized hazing
  • Waterboarding or simulated drowning
  • Extreme physical punishment
• Treatment:
  • Therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapy)
  • Medication for anxiety or depression
  • Support groups
• Long-Term Risks:
  • Chronic PTSD
  • Difficulty forming relationships
  • Academic or career disruption
  • Increased risk of suicide

🚑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Washington County (or Anywhere in Maine)

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:

Step 1: Ensure Your Child’s Safety

• Remove them from the situation – Get your child away from the fraternity/sorority house or hazing location immediately.
• Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and brain injuries can be life-threatening. Go to the emergency room if:
  • Your child is unconscious or unresponsive
  • They are vomiting uncontrollably
  • They have dark brown or tea-colored urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
  • They are confused, disoriented, or slurring their speech
  • They have difficulty breathing
  • They have severe pain or inability to move
• Document everything – Take photos of any injuries, bruises, or physical evidence.

Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. The fraternity, university, and individual members will try to destroy or hide evidence. You must preserve everything:

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts – Even if they’re embarrassing, they may be critical evidence.
• Talk to the fraternity or university without a lawyer – They will try to get your child to sign away their rights.
• Post about the incident on social media – Anything you post can be used against you.
• Confront the fraternity members – This could escalate the situation and put your child at risk.

Step 3: Report the Hazing

Maine law requires schools to investigate hazing. You should report the incident to:

1. The University’s Title IX Office – Hazing often involves gender-based discrimination, which falls under Title IX.
2. The University’s Greek Life Office – They are required to investigate and take disciplinary action.
3. Local Law Enforcement – Hazing is a crime in Maine. File a police report.
4. Maine Department of Education – Schools are required to report hazing incidents to the state.

Sample Email to Report Hazing:

Subject: Formal Report of Hazing Incident – [Your Child’s Name]

Dear [University Title IX Coordinator / Greek Life Director],

I am writing to formally report a hazing incident involving my child, [Child’s Name], who is a [pledge/member] of [Fraternity/Sorority Name] at [University Name]. The hazing occurred on or around [date] and included the following activities:

• [List specific hazing activities, e.g., “forced alcohol consumption,” “waterboarding,” “extreme physical punishment,” etc.]
• [Describe any injuries, e.g., “my child was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis,” “they suffered from alcohol poisoning,” etc.]

This conduct violates [University Name]’s anti-hazing policy and Maine state law. I demand that you:

1. Immediately suspend all activities of [Fraternity/Sorority Name] pending an investigation.
2. Launch a full, independent investigation into this incident.
3. Provide me with a written report of your findings and any disciplinary actions taken.

I am also filing a report with local law enforcement and the Maine Department of Education. Please confirm receipt of this email and provide the name of the investigator assigned to this case.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases are complex, and the fraternity, university, and their insurance companies will fight aggressively to avoid liability. You need an experienced attorney to:

• Protect your child’s rights – Universities and fraternities will try to silence victims.
• Preserve evidence – Critical evidence disappears quickly.
• Negotiate with insurance companies – They will offer lowball settlements to make the case go away.
• File a lawsuit if necessary – If the university or fraternity refuses to take responsibility, we will sue them for millions of dollars.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
We offer free consultations for Washington County families. We work on a contingency basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.

💰 What Washington County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for their injuries. Here’s what Washington County families can recover in a hazing lawsuit:

1. Medical Expenses (Past and Future)

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays (our client spent 4 days in the hospital)
• Surgery or medical procedures
• Medications
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment (therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Future medical monitoring (e.g., kidney function tests for rhabdomyolysis)

2. Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work due to injuries or recovery
• Lost internship or job opportunities
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your child’s career prospects

3. Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain from injuries (e.g., muscle breakdown, broken bones)
• Emotional distress from hazing (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and degradation from psychological hazing

4. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendants for egregious conduct and deter future hazing. They are appropriate when:

• The hazing was intentional or reckless (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption)
• The fraternity or university knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing
• The conduct was outrageous or malicious

Precedent: In the Max Gruver case (LSU), the jury awarded $6.1 million in punitive damages for hazing that led to death.

5. Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable)

If hazing results in death, families can sue for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship (the emotional bond with your child)
• Loss of future earnings (what your child would have earned over their lifetime)
• Punitive damages

⏳ Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait to Act

Maine has a strict statute of limitations for hazing lawsuits. This means you have a limited time to file a claim.

⚠️ WARNING:

• Evidence disappears quickly – Text messages, social media posts, and witness memories fade.
• Insurance companies will delay – They will wait until the deadline is near to offer a lowball settlement.
• Your child’s rights expire – If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

🏆 Why Washington County Families Choose Attorney 911

We are nationwide hazing litigation experts, and we are currently fighting a $10 MILLION lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, hold institutions accountable, and win. Here’s why Washington County families trust us:

1. We Are Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know exactly how insurance companies think—we used to work for them.
• We know their delay tactics, lowball offers, and manipulation strategies.
• We use this insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your recovery.

2. We Have 25+ Years of Litigation Experience

• Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of courtroom experience, including high-profile cases like the BP Texas City explosion litigation.
• Lupe Pena has 12+ years of experience, including representing victims against large corporations.
• We have fought and won against universities, fraternities, and national organizations.

3. We Are Nationwide Hazing Experts

• We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit in Texas.
• We have experience with rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and psychological trauma cases.
• We know the fraternity playbook—they all use the same tactics, and we know how to counter them.

4. We Travel to Washington County (and Anywhere in Maine)

• We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we travel to Maine for hazing cases.
• We offer video consultations for Washington County families who cannot travel.
• We will come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.

5. We Work on Contingency – $0 Upfront

• We understand that cost is a barrier for many families.
• We work on a contingency basis—you pay nothing upfront.
• We only get paid if we win your case.
• No win, no fee—you have nothing to lose.

6. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects all communities, including Spanish-speaking families.
• We have bilingual staff who can communicate with you in Spanish.
• No language barriers to justice.

7. We Care About Your Child – Not Just the Money

• We see your child as a person, not a paycheck.
• We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on families.
• We will fight aggressively for your child’s rights and well-being.

📞 Washington County Families: Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed, don’t wait. Evidence disappears, deadlines expire, and the fraternity and university will try to silence you.

We are here to fight for you. We are here to hold them accountable.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
✉️ ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if we win.

📚 Additional Resources for Washington County Families

Maine Anti-Hazing Organizations

• Maine Department of Education – Hazing Reporting
  🌐 https://www.maine.gov/doe/
  📞 (207) 624-6600

• StopHazing (National Organization)
  🌐 https://stophazing.org/
  📞 (207) 581-3836

• Clery Center (Campus Safety)
  🌐 https://clerycenter.org/

Maine Universities’ Greek Life Offices

• University of Maine (Orono)
  🌐 https://umaine.edu/greeklife/
  📞 (207) 581-1406

• University of Southern Maine (Portland/Gorham)
  🌐 https://usm.maine.edu/student-engagement/greek-life
  📞 (207) 780-4035

• Colby College (Waterville)
  🌐 https://www.colby.edu/studentlife/greek-life/
  📞 (207) 859-4000

Maine Law Enforcement

• Maine State Police
  🌐 https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/
  📞 (207) 624-7076

• Local Police Departments in Washington County:

  • Calais Police Department – (207) 454-2751
  • Machias Police Department – (207) 255-3434
  • Eastport Police Department – (207) 853-4343

🔥 Final Message to Washington County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities and universities in Maine:

We know you’re watching. We know you’re reading this. And we want you to know:

We are coming for you.

We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, expose your negligence, and hold you accountable.

If you haze students in Maine, we will:

• Sue your chapter
• Sue your national organization
• Sue your university
• Sue your individual members
• Pursue criminal charges

We will shut you down. We will make you pay. And we will protect the next student from your abuse.

The choice is yours:

1. Clean up your act now – End hazing, implement real oversight, and protect your members.
2. Or we will clean you out in court – And trust us, you don’t want that.

Attorney 911 is watching. The law is watching. And we will not stop until hazing is eradicated from Maine’s universities.

Enough is enough.