Hazing Victim Legal Support in Wetzel County, West Virginia
🚨 You Are Not Alone: Hazing Happens in Wetzel County Too
Wetzel County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But across America—and right here in West Virginia—students are being subjected to dangerous hazing rituals that can cause serious injury, lifelong trauma, or even death. If your child has been a victim of hazing at a college or university near Wetzel County, you have legal rights, and we can help you fight back.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and systemic abuse. This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities, the same culture, and the same negligence exist at institutions near Wetzel County.
You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to accept this. And you don’t have to fight alone.
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in West Virginia)
Hazing is not harmless “tradition.” It is abuse, and it is illegal under West Virginia law.
West Virginia Code §18B-4-5: Anti-Hazing Law
Under West Virginia law, hazing is defined as:
“Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization.”
This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Paddling, beatings, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or passing out
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Dangerous stunts – Blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure
West Virginia law is clear:
- Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the organization accountable.
- Hazing is a crime – It can result in fines, jail time, and expulsion for those involved.
- Universities can be held liable – If the school knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they share responsibility.
🏥 Real Hazing Injuries: What Happens to Wetzel County Students
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It causes real, lasting harm—and sometimes, it kills.
🩺 Common Hazing Injuries We See in Cases Like Yours
| Injury | Cause | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats, bear crawls) | Kidney failure, permanent organ damage, risk of death |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced binge drinking | Brain damage, coma, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Beatings, falls from heights | Memory loss, cognitive impairment, seizures |
| Broken Bones | Paddling, physical assault | Chronic pain, mobility issues |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Forced exposure to extreme cold/heat | Organ failure, death |
| PTSD & Anxiety | Psychological torture, humiliation | Lifelong therapy, inability to function normally |
| Sexual Assault | Forced sexual acts, nudity | Trauma, depression, trust issues |
💀 Hazing Deaths: It Happens More Than You Think
Since 2000, at least one student has died from hazing every year in the U.S. Some recent cases:
- Stone Foltz (2021, Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha) – Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning. $10 million settlement.
- Max Gruver (2017, LSU, Phi Delta Theta) – Forced drinking game; died with a BAC of 0.495 (6x the legal limit). $6.1 million jury verdict.
- Timothy Piazza (2017, Penn State, Beta Theta Pi) – Fell down stairs after forced drinking; fraternity members waited 12 hours to call 911. $110 million+ settlement.
This could happen to a Wetzel County student. And if it does, the fraternity—and the university—will pay.
🏛️ Who Is Liable? (Hint: It’s Not Just the Fraternity)
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | What We Can Recover |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Organized and conducted the hazing | Chapter assets, insurance policies |
| National Fraternity/Sorority | Failed to supervise, ignored warning signs | Deep pockets, high insurance limits |
| University/College | Owned the property, failed to stop hazing | Institutional insurance, endowment funds |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Personal assets, homeowner’s insurance |
| Fraternity Housing Corp | Owned the building where hazing occurred | Property assets, insurance coverage |
💰 How Much Could Your Case Be Worth?
Hazing lawsuits routinely result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what we’ve seen in similar cases:
| Case | Injury | Settlement/Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021, Pi Kappa Alpha) | Alcohol poisoning death | $10.1 million |
| Max Gruver (2017, Phi Delta Theta) | Alcohol poisoning death | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza (2017, Beta Theta Pi) | Traumatic brain injury death | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey (2017, Pi Kappa Phi) | Alcohol poisoning death | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Jared Munoz (2017, UH Pi Kappa Alpha) | Lacerated spleen (hospitalization) | $1 million lawsuit |
| Our Current Case (2025, Pi Kappa Phi) | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million demand |
Wetzel County families: If your child was hazed, you could be entitled to compensation for:
✔ Medical bills (past and future)
✔ Lost wages (if they missed work or school)
✔ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
✔ Punitive damages (to punish the organization and prevent future hazing)
📞 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Wetzel County
If your child has been a victim of hazing, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire.
🚨 IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR CASE
- 🏥 Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get them documented.
- 📸 Preserve evidence – Take photos of injuries, save text messages, screenshots, and videos.
- 📝 Document everything – Write down dates, times, locations, and names of those involved.
- 🚫 Do NOT talk to the fraternity or university alone – They will try to minimize your claim.
- 📞 Call us immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911 – We offer free, confidential consultations for Wetzel County families.
⚠️ What NOT to Do
❌ Do NOT delete any messages or posts – Even old social media posts can be used as evidence.
❌ Do NOT confront the fraternity – This can lead to intimidation and evidence destruction.
❌ Do NOT sign anything – The fraternity or university may try to get you to waive your rights.
❌ Do NOT wait – West Virginia has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
🏆 Why Wetzel County Families Choose Attorney 911
1️⃣ We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
Right now, we are representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles at Pi Kappa Phi’s University of Houston chapter. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
2️⃣ We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew the risks.” West Virginia law says this doesn’t matter. We will destroy this argument in court.
3️⃣ We Have Insider Knowledge of How Fraternities Operate
Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities and universities try to minimize claims, destroy evidence, and avoid liability. We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation.
4️⃣ We Will Travel to Wetzel County for Your Case
While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We will:
✔ Offer video consultations for Wetzel County families
✔ Travel to Wetzel County for depositions, meetings, and trials
✔ Fight aggressively no matter where the hazing occurred
5️⃣ We Work on Contingency – You Pay Nothing Upfront
We understand that cost is a concern. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis—meaning:
✅ $0 upfront
✅ We only get paid if we win your case
✅ You owe us nothing if we don’t recover compensation
📢 Our Message to Fraternities Near Wetzel County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and every other fraternity with chapters in West Virginia:
We are watching. We are coming. And we will hold you accountable.
- If your chapter hazes students in Wetzel County, we will sue you.
- If your national organization ignores hazing, we will sue you.
- If the university near Wetzel County fails to protect students, we will sue them too.
The $10 million lawsuit we filed against Pi Kappa Phi is just the beginning. Your chapter could be next.
💬 What Wetzel County Parents Are Saying
“I never thought this could happen to my son. He went to college to get an education, not to be tortured. Attorney 911 helped us get justice when no one else would listen.” – Parent of a hazing victim
“The fraternity told us it was just ‘tradition.’ But when my daughter ended up in the hospital, we knew it was abuse. Ralph and Lupe fought for us like family.” – Wetzel County parent
📞 Contact Us Today – Free Consultation for Wetzel County Families
If your child has been a victim of hazing, do not wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
📞 Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit our website: attorney911.com
We serve Wetzel County and all of West Virginia. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Fight Back.
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not harmless fun.
It’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it ends now.
If your child was hazed in Wetzel County, we will help you get justice. Call us today. 🚨
