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Decatur County (Earth/North America/United States/Kansas/Decatur County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 22, 2026 21 min read
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🏛️ Hazing Victims in Decatur County, Kansas: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or student organization in Decatur County, Kansas — you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now in Texas, and we will bring the same fight to Decatur County.

At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure because of fraternity hazing.

The same fraternities operate at colleges near Decatur County. The same negligence exists at Kansas institutions. And we will fight for Decatur County families with the same aggression.

If your child has been hazed in Decatur County, call us now for a free consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

🚨 Hazing in Decatur County, Kansas: What Families Need to Know

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen at Big Universities — It Happens in Decatur County Too

Decatur County, Kansas is home to hardworking families who value community, education, and safety. When you send your child to college — whether it’s at a nearby Kansas university or out of state — you trust that the institutions will keep them safe.

But hazing happens at colleges near Decatur County, and it’s not just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” Hazing is abuse. It’s torture. And it can cause permanent physical and psychological damage.

In our current case in Texas:

  • A student was waterboarded with a garden hose — a form of torture
  • He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down
  • He was struck with wooden paddles
  • He was hospitalized with kidney failure and spent four days in the hospital

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening at fraternities and sororities near Decatur County — and at colleges across Kansas and America.

The Same Fraternities That Hazed Our Client Operate Near Decatur County

Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity we’re suing in Texas, has 150+ chapters across America — including in the Midwest and likely near Decatur County. Other major fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi also have chapters at Kansas universities.

These are not independent local groups — they’re part of national organizations with millions in assets and insurance. They have the resources to pay when they hurt our kids.

And when they fail to stop hazing, they should be held accountable — just like we’re doing in our current case.

Kansas Law Protects Hazing Victims — Even If the Incident Happened Out of State

Kansas has strong anti-hazing laws. Under Kansas Statutes § 21-5418, hazing is a Class B misdemeanor — punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

But criminal charges aren’t the only option. Victims and families can also file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

And if the hazing happened in another state — like Texas or Missouri — we can still pursue your case in federal court.

At Attorney 911, we have federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York). We can represent Decatur County families no matter where the hazing occurred.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Decatur County Hazing Victim

1. You Have the Right to Hold the Organization Accountable

Fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations can be sued for:

  • Negligence — Failing to prevent hazing
  • Assault and battery — Physical abuse
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress — Psychological torture
  • Premises liability — If hazing occurred on property they control

In our current case, we’re suing:

  • The local fraternity chapter
  • The national fraternity organization
  • The university that owned the fraternity house
  • Individual members who participated

Decatur County families have the same rights.

2. You Have the Right to Compensation for Your Injuries

Hazing can cause:

  • Physical injuries — Broken bones, burns, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning
  • Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts
  • Academic disruption — Missed classes, failed courses, delayed graduation
  • Financial losses — Medical bills, lost wages, therapy costs

In our current case, our client suffered:

  • Rhabdomyolysis — Muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure
  • Acute kidney failure — Life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization
  • Four days in the hospital — Fighting for his life
  • Long-term health risks — Potential for chronic kidney disease

These injuries entitle victims to compensation — and we know how to fight for it.

3. Consent Is Not a Defense — Kansas Law Says So

Fraternities will argue: “He agreed to participate. He knew what he was signing up for. He could have left.”

Kansas law explicitly says: CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE.

Kansas Statutes § 21-5418 states that hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.

You cannot consent to being a victim of a crime. Hazing is assault. It’s battery. It’s abuse. And it’s illegal — no matter what the fraternity tells you.

4. You Have the Right to Sue Even If You’re Not a Student

Our client in Texas wasn’t even enrolled at the university when he was hazed. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer.

If your child was hazed before enrolling, or even if they weren’t a student at all, you still have rights.

Fraternities and sororities recruit aggressively — sometimes targeting high school students. If they haze someone who isn’t enrolled, that shows reckless disregard for safety — and strengthens your case.

5. You Have the Right to Sue Even If the Hazing Happened Off-Campus

Hazing doesn’t just happen in fraternity houses. It happens:

  • At private homes
  • In hotel rooms
  • At off-campus parties
  • In cars
  • In fields or parks

Kansas law applies to hazing that occurs on OR off campus.

And if the hazing occurred at a private home, the homeowners and their insurance may also be liable.

💰 What Is Your Decatur County Hazing Case Worth?

Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for our client’s injuries.

Recent Hazing Settlements and Verdicts:

Case Fraternity University Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Pi Kappa Alpha Bowling Green State Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Phi Delta Theta Louisiana State Jury Verdict $6.1 million
Timothy Piazza Beta Theta Pi Penn State Settlement $110+ million
Andrew Coffey Pi Kappa Phi Florida State Settlement Confidential (major)

These cases prove that hazing victims can — and do — win big.

What Factors Increase Your Case Value?

Factor Why It Matters
Severe physical injuries Hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage
Psychological trauma PTSD, anxiety, depression requiring therapy
Wrongful death If hazing caused a death, damages are highest
University ownership If the university owns the fraternity house, they’re more liable
Prior incidents If the chapter had prior hazing incidents, pattern evidence increases value
Egregious conduct Waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption = punitive damages
Pattern by national organization If the national fraternity knew about hazing and did nothing

In our current case, all of these factors apply — and we’re fighting for $10 million.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Decatur County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked by a doctor.

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening and may not appear immediately:

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can cause kidney failure
  • Alcohol poisoning can be fatal
  • Head injuries from falls or beatings can cause permanent damage
  • Psychological trauma may not surface for weeks or months

If your child has any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:

  • Severe muscle pain
  • Dark or brown urine
  • Difficulty walking
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Signs of alcohol poisoning (unconsciousness, slow breathing)

Document everything. Medical records are critical evidence in hazing cases.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Evidence disappears fast in hazing cases.

Save:

  • Text messages (GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat)
  • Social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X)
  • Photos and videos (from hazing events, injuries, or aftermath)
  • Emails (from fraternity/sorority, university, or witnesses)
  • Physical evidence (clothing worn during hazing, items used in hazing)
  • Witness information (names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses)

If your child doesn’t have evidence, ask friends or witnesses to save what they have.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

They will try to control the narrative. They will try to intimidate you. They will try to get you to sign away your rights.

Do not:

  • Give a statement to the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign any documents from the organization
  • Talk to university administrators without legal counsel
  • Post about the incident on social media

Anything you say can — and will — be used against you.

Step 4: Report the Hazing to Authorities

Hazing is a crime in Kansas. You can report it to:

  • Local police (Decatur County Sheriff’s Office or city police)
  • University police (if the hazing occurred on campus)
  • Kansas Board of Regents (for state universities)

Filing a police report creates an official record — which strengthens your case.

Step 5: Call Attorney 911 Immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911

The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be.

We will:

  • Guide you through the legal process
  • Handle all communications with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
  • Preserve evidence before it disappears
  • File a lawsuit if necessary
  • Fight for maximum compensation

We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

🏢 Who We Sue in Decatur County Hazing Cases

1. The Local Chapter

The chapter that organized and conducted the hazing is directly liable.

Examples of chapter liability:

  • Forcing pledges to perform dangerous activities
  • Failing to stop hazing when it was happening
  • Allowing a culture of abuse to continue

In our current case, the UH chapter:

  • Waterboarded our client
  • Forced him to do 500 squats
  • Struck him with wooden paddles
  • Hospitalized him with kidney failure

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

National organizations have millions in assets and insurance. They’re responsible for:

  • Failing to supervise local chapters
  • Ignoring prior hazing incidents
  • Failing to enforce anti-hazing policies

In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi National:

  • Knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 — and did nothing
  • Knew about a “hazing crisis” — and did nothing
  • Immediately closed the UH chapter when the lawsuit was filed — proving they knew it was wrong

They have deep pockets — and they should pay.

3. The University

Universities can be liable for:

  • Failing to supervise Greek life
  • Ignoring prior hazing incidents
  • Allowing hazing to occur on their property

In our current case, University of Houston:

  • Owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred
  • Had a prior hazing incident in 2017 — and did nothing
  • Failed to inspect or regulate the fraternity

If the university near Decatur County knew or should have known about hazing — they’re liable too.

4. Individual Members

Every person who participated in or facilitated hazing can be sued individually.

In our current case, we’re suing:

  • The fraternity president
  • The pledgemaster
  • Current members who participated
  • Former members who hosted hazing at their home

These individuals may have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers their liability.

5. Homeowners (If Hazing Occurred Off-Campus)

If hazing occurred at a private home, the homeowners may be liable for:

  • Premises liability — allowing dangerous activities on their property
  • Negligent supervision — failing to stop hazing

In our current case, we’re suing a former member and his spouse for allowing hazing at their home.

⏳ Time Is Running Out — Kansas Statute of Limitations

In Kansas, you have only 2 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit.

If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.

Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Memories fade. Don’t wait.

Call Attorney 911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911

🛡️ Why Decatur County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are 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. We know how to win. Decatur County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims.

We know exactly how they think. We know their tactics. And we know how to beat them.

3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas — and we can pursue hazing cases in federal court nationwide.

No matter where the hazing occurred — in Kansas, Texas, Missouri, or anywhere — we can represent your family.

4. Dual-State Bar Licenses — Texas and New York

We are licensed in Texas and New York — giving us strategic advantages when suing national fraternities headquartered in other states.

5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims come from Spanish-speaking families. We can communicate in Spanish to ensure nothing gets lost in translation.

6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Decatur County Families

We understand that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

7. We Will Travel to Decatur County

We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — but we will travel to Decatur County for:

  • Client meetings
  • Depositions
  • Trials
  • Court appearances

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

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

If your child has been hazed in Decatur County, Kansas — or anywhere in America — call us now.

We will:

  • Evaluate your case for free
  • Explain your legal rights
  • Guide you through the process
  • Fight for maximum compensation

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com

The consultation is free. The call is confidential. And you pay nothing unless we win.

🎯 Our Message to Fraternities and Sororities Near Decatur County

To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, and every other Greek organization operating near Decatur County:

We are watching. We are documenting. And we are coming for you.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

If you haze students near Decatur County, we will:

  • Pursue every liable entity — your national organization, your local chapter, your individual members
  • Demand every dollar of insurance coverage — and then some
  • Expose your culture of abuse in court and in the media
  • Make you pay — so the next family doesn’t have to go through this

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze near Decatur County. Your chapter could be next.

🏆 We Don’t Just Talk About Hazing — We’re Fighting It Right Now

This isn’t theoretical. This isn’t hypothetical. This is happening now.

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure.

We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. And we will bring the same fight to Decatur County, Kansas.

If your child has been hazed — call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

📝 Frequently Asked Questions for Decatur County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to sue. Should we still call a lawyer?

A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, you should still consult with an attorney to:

  • Understand your legal rights
  • Preserve evidence in case they change their mind
  • Know what deadlines apply
  • Protect them from retaliation

You can call us for a confidential consultation — even if you’re not sure about suing.

Q: The fraternity says my child consented. Can they still be held liable?

A: Yes. Kansas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. You cannot consent to being a victim of a crime.

No matter what the fraternity says, they are still liable for what they did.

Q: My child was hazed at an out-of-state university. Can you still help?

A: Yes. We have federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses. We can represent Decatur County families no matter where the hazing occurred — in Kansas, Texas, Missouri, or anywhere in America.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you never have to worry about hourly bills or upfront costs.

Q: What if the hazing happened last year? Is it too late to sue?

A: Maybe not. Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, there may be exceptions if:

  • Your child was a minor at the time
  • The injuries weren’t discovered until later
  • The hazing was part of an ongoing pattern

Call us immediately to find out if you still have time.

Q: Will suing the fraternity hurt my child’s future?

A: No. Suing a fraternity is about holding them accountable — not about punishing your child. In fact, many fraternities try to silence victims to protect their own reputation.

By speaking out, your child is helping to prevent future hazing — and protecting other Decatur County families.

Q: What if my child was drinking during the hazing? Does that affect the case?

A: No. Even if your child was drinking, the fraternity is still liable for:

  • Forcing or pressuring them to drink
  • Failing to stop dangerous activities
  • Failing to get medical help when needed

The fraternity’s actions — not your child’s choices — are what matter in the case.

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

A: Yes. Universities can be liable for:

  • Failing to supervise Greek life
  • Ignoring prior hazing incidents
  • Allowing a culture of abuse to continue

If the university knew or should have known about hazing — they’re liable, even if it happened off-campus.

📞 Call Now — Decatur County Families Deserve Justice

If your child has been hazed in Decatur County, Kansas — or anywhere in America — call Attorney 911 now for a free consultation.

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

We fight for Decatur County families. We fight for your child. And we won’t stop until justice is served.

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