Hazing Victims in Arkansas: Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Arkansas Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Arkansas, you need to know: This is not “tradition.” This is not “building character.” This is abuse. And you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The same fraternities operate at Arkansas universities, and the same negligence exists at Arkansas institutions.
We will bring the same fight to Arkansas.
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Arkansas)
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them—regardless of whether the victim “consented.” In Arkansas, hazing is a misdemeanor under Arkansas Code § 6-5-201, and in severe cases, it can lead to felony charges.
Common Hazing Practices in Arkansas
Hazing can take many forms, including:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, or non-food substances until vomiting)
- Psychological torture (humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats)
- Dangerous stunts (blindfolded activities, extreme weather exposure)
- Sexual assault or harassment (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
Example: In our current case, a student was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck with wooden paddles—all of which led to kidney failure and a 4-day hospital stay.
This happens in Arkansas too.
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Arkansas?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local fraternity/sorority chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National fraternity/sorority organization | Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies; knew about prior incidents |
| University/college | Failed to supervise Greek life; may own the fraternity house |
| Chapter officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Directed or participated in hazing |
| Individual members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni or property owners | Allowed hazing at their homes or facilities |
Arkansas universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew (or should have known) about hazing and failed to act, they can be held accountable.
💰 What Compensation Can Arkansas Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:
1. Medical Expenses
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgery (if needed)
- Physical therapy
- Mental health counseling (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Example: In our current case, the victim was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
2. Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity
- Time missed from work due to recovery
- Impact on academic performance (leading to lost scholarships or career opportunities)
3. Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional trauma (humiliation, fear, PTSD)
- Long-term psychological effects
4. Punitive Damages
If the hazing was especially egregious (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning, sexual assault), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future misconduct.
Precedent: In a similar case, a family received $10.1 million after their son died from hazing.
⚖️ Arkansas Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
1. Hazing Is a Crime in Arkansas
Under Arkansas Code § 6-5-201, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Fines up to $2,500
If hazing causes serious injury or death, it can be elevated to a felony.
2. Consent Is NOT a Defense
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Arkansas law does not allow consent as a defense to hazing.
3. Universities Must Report Hazing
Arkansas law requires schools to report hazing incidents to law enforcement. If they fail to do so, they can face legal consequences.
4. Statute of Limitations
Arkansas has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Do not wait to take action.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Arkansas
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
- Document everything (photos of injuries, medical records).
2. Preserve Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails).
- Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing.
- Write down details (who was involved, what happened, when it occurred).
3. Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without legal counsel.
- Do not sign anything from the university or organization.
- Do not post about the incident on social media.
4. Contact an Arkansas Hazing Lawyer Immediately
Hazing cases are complex, and evidence disappears quickly. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Arkansas Hazing Case?
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, negotiate with institutions, and win in court.
2. Nationwide Representation for Arkansas Victims
While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Arkansas. We can:
- File lawsuits in Arkansas courts
- Travel to Arkansas for depositions and trials
- Handle your case remotely (phone/video consultations)
3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Our attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims. We know their playbook—and how to beat them.
4. Federal Court Authority
We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, allowing us to pursue federal civil rights claims against national organizations.
5. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency
You pay nothing unless we win your case. No fees, no expenses—just justice.
6. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español)
We serve Spanish-speaking families in Arkansas without language barriers.
📞 Arkansas Families: Call Us Now for a Free Consultation
If your child was hazed in Arkansas, you have legal rights. We can help.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We will fight for you—just like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez in Texas.
🔥 Arkansas Fraternities & Universities: We’re Watching
To the fraternities operating in Arkansas—including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others:
We are tracking your chapters. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. And we know your history of hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
If you haze students in Arkansas, we will hold you accountable.
The UH Pi Kappa Phi chapter that waterboarded our client? Shut down. The fraternity president who oversaw it? Personally liable for $6.5 million in another case. The university that owned the house? Sued for millions.
Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Arkansas Hazing Victories: What’s Possible
Hazing cases do win—and they win big. Here’s what other families have recovered:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million |
| Max Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement |
These results are possible for Arkansas victims too.
📌 Arkansas Universities with Greek Life (Where Hazing Occurs)
Arkansas is home to multiple universities with active Greek life, including:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations Present |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) | Fayetteville, AR | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and many others |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | Multiple fraternities and sororities |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | Active Greek system |
| Henderson State University | Arkadelphia, AR | Greek organizations |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | Fraternities and sororities |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | Greek life presence |
If your child attends any of these schools, they are at risk of hazing.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Arkansas Families
1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?
- Hazing is a crime. If you don’t report it, the organization will continue hurting others.
- We can help protect your child’s identity and pursue legal action without public exposure.
2. The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
- No. Arkansas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.
3. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Arkansas?
- 3 years from the date of the hazing incident (or from when you discovered the injury).
4. Can I sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate?
- Yes. If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable.
5. What if my child was hazed at a private university in Arkansas?
- Private universities can still be sued for negligence, premises liability, and failure to protect students.
6. How much is my Arkansas hazing case worth?
- Every case is different, but severe hazing cases (hospitalization, wrongful death) often result in millions in compensation.
7. Will my child’s name be made public?
- We can file the case under seal to protect your child’s privacy. Many hazing victims choose to remain anonymous.
8. Can I afford a lawyer for a hazing case?
- Yes. We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
🚀 Next Steps for Arkansas Families
- Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
- Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, medical records).
- Do not speak to the fraternity, university, or insurance companies without legal counsel.
- Let us handle everything—we’ll investigate, file the lawsuit, and fight for justice.
Arkansas hazing victims: You don’t have to suffer in silence. We’re here to help.
📢 Final Message to Arkansas Parents
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university to protect them. You trusted the fraternity to treat them with respect.
That trust was betrayed.
But you do not have to accept this. You do not have to stay silent. And you do not have to fight this battle alone.
Attorney 911 is here to stand with you.
We will hold the fraternity accountable.
We will hold the university accountable.
We will fight for the justice your child deserves.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The clock is ticking.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
Arkansas hazing victims: We’re ready to fight for you.
