Hazing Lawyers in Madison County, Arkansas | Attorney 911

Justice for Hazing Victims in Madison County and Beyond

If your child has been the victim of fraternity hazing, sorority hazing, or any form of initiation abuse at a college or university near Madison County, Arkansas, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is here to help.

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. This case involves waterboarding, forced consumption, extreme physical punishment, and systematic abuse that led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure requiring hospitalization. The same fraternities and universities operate near Madison County, and we are committed to protecting students in our community.

Madison County families: You deserve aggressive legal representation. We will fight for you.

📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Hazing in Madison County Must Be Stopped

Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building character.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes murder—and it’s happening at colleges and universities near Madison County.

The Alarming Reality of Hazing Near Madison County

While Madison County itself is home to smaller community colleges and rural schools, students from our area often attend larger universities in nearby regions where Greek life is prevalent. Some of the institutions where hazing commonly occurs include:

• University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) – Less than 2 hours from Madison County
• Arkansas State University (Jonesboro)
• University of Central Arkansas (Conway)
• Missouri State University (Springfield, MO)
• University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)

These schools have active Greek systems where the same national fraternities and sororities implicated in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide maintain chapters.

The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Operate Near Madison County

The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity that hospitalized our client in Houston has 150+ chapters across America, including in states near Arkansas. Other fraternities with documented hazing histories—such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, and Phi Delta Theta—also have chapters at universities within driving distance of Madison County.

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Madison County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

What Happened to Our Client Could Happen in Madison County

The $10 Million Case That Exposes Hazing Culture

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush”—a prospective member not even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he could not stand
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Forced to carry objects of a sexual nature at all times
• Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• A pledge lost consciousness during a workout (October 15, 2025)

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to perform extreme physical exercises while being threatened with expulsion if he stopped. He became so exhausted he could not stand without help and crawled up the stairs when he got home.

The next day, he was “really sore and couldn’t really move.” His condition worsened, and on November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring three nights and four days of hospitalization.

Pi Kappa Phi’s Response: Close the Chapter and Plan to Return

Pi Kappa Phi National closed the UH chapter on November 14, 2025—just one week before our lawsuit was filed. In their official statement, they admitted to “violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy and membership conduct standards.” Yet, they also stated they look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.

This is not remorse. This is damage control.

The University of Houston’s Role: They Owned the Torture Chamber

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the waterboarding and other hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter at any time. Yet, they did nothing—despite having a student hospitalized from hazing at another fraternity in 2017.

Madison County families: If your child is hazed at a university-owned fraternity house near Madison County, the university shares liability.

Hazing Is Not Just a “College Problem”—It’s a Madison County Problem

Hazing Affects Madison County Families

Every year, students from Madison County leave home to attend colleges and universities where Greek life is prevalent. They go expecting to make friends, build networks, and prepare for their futures. Instead, many are subjected to abuse, humiliation, and life-threatening rituals—all in the name of “tradition.”

Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities. It happens wherever fraternities and sororities exist—including near Madison County.

The Long-Term Consequences of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It leaves lasting psychological scars that can affect victims for years:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from waterboarding, beatings, or humiliation
• Anxiety and depression from the trauma of abuse
• Trust issues that affect personal and professional relationships
• Academic struggles due to physical and emotional distress
• Substance abuse as a coping mechanism

For some victims, hazing leads to death. Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Madison County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

Madison County families: We sue everyone responsible. No one gets away with torturing our children.

Legal Rights of Hazing Victims in Madison County

Arkansas Hazing Laws

Arkansas has strong laws against hazing. Under Arkansas Code § 6-5-205, hazing is defined as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.

Penalties for Hazing in Arkansas:

• Class A Misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail and/or $2,500 fine
• Class D Felony – If hazing results in serious physical injury or death (up to 6 years in prison)

Importantly, Arkansas law states:

“Consent is not a defense to hazing.”

This means that even if a student “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal.

Civil Liability for Hazing

In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims and their families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Madison County families: You can sue for hazing even if no criminal charges are filed.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Madison County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. If your child shows any of these symptoms after hazing, seek emergency medical care:

• Severe muscle pain or weakness (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
• Brown or dark urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
• Vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (slow breathing, pale skin, seizures)
• Signs of psychological trauma (extreme anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts)

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor. Some injuries, like rhabdomyolysis, may not show symptoms immediately.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Evidence is critical to building a strong hazing case. Preserve the following:

Do NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media
• Give statements to university administrators alone

Step 3: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Time is critical. Arkansas has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget details. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.

At Attorney 911, we:

• Investigate immediately to preserve evidence
• Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• File lawsuits aggressively to hold all responsible parties accountable
• Fight for maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

Madison County families: We offer free consultations and work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Madison County Hazing Case?

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

We are actively litigating a hazing case involving waterboarding, forced consumption, and extreme physical abuse. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

Madison County families: You get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Houston.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how insurance companies think, strategize, and try to deny claims. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.

3. Nationwide Reach with Local Commitment

While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Madison County. We have:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Willingness to travel to Madison County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Remote consultation technology for Madison County families who cannot travel

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish, including:

• Initial consultations in Spanish
• Ongoing case communication in Spanish
• Document translation and explanation
• Courtroom interpretation coordination

No language barriers to justice.

5. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including:

• Wrongful death cases
• Catastrophic injury cases
• Cases against large institutions

Madison County families: We don’t back down from powerful defendants.

6. We Care About Madison County Families

We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We understand the pain and anger you’re feeling, and we will fight hard for your family because we truly care.

Client testimonial:

“The Manginello Law Firm treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me. They worked on my case for about three years.” — Debra Cambric-Chisolm

What You Can Recover in a Madison County Hazing Lawsuit

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

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy, future treatment)
• Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
• Lost earning capacity (if injuries affect future career prospects)
• Educational expenses (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
• Out-of-pocket costs (travel for treatment, medical equipment)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering (the agony of hazing injuries)
• Mental anguish (trauma from waterboarding, paddling, humiliation)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
• Disfigurement (scars from burns, branding, or injuries)
• Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded in cases of egregious misconduct to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct. They are appropriate in hazing cases where:

• The conduct was intentional or reckless (waterboarding, forced consumption, extreme physical punishment)
• The defendants knew about the risks and did nothing (pattern of prior incidents)
• The defendants showed conscious indifference to the victim’s safety

Madison County families: Punitive damages send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.

Common Hazing Activities That Lead to Lawsuits

Hazing takes many forms, all of which can lead to serious injury or death. Some of the most dangerous hazing activities include:

Madison County families: If your child experienced any of these activities, they may have a legal claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Lawsuits in Madison County

Q: My child consented to participate in hazing. Can we still sue?

A: YES. Arkansas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal, and you can still sue.

Q: The fraternity says this was just “tradition.” Is that a defense?

A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault, battery, and hazing are crimes regardless of how long the fraternity has been doing them.

Q: We’re worried about retaliation. How do you protect my child?

A: We take retaliation very seriously. We can:

• File motions to protect your child’s identity
• Request restraining orders if necessary
• Hold the fraternity accountable for any retaliation
• Pursue additional damages for emotional distress caused by retaliation

Q: How much will hiring a lawyer cost?

A: NOTHING UPFRONT. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee is a percentage of the recovery
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Q: How long will the lawsuit take?

A: It depends on the complexity of the case. Some hazing cases settle within 6-12 months, while others may take 1-3 years if they go to trial. We work aggressively to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: YES. Hazing is illegal whether it occurs on or off campus. If the fraternity or its members organized the hazing, they can be held liable.

Q: What if