🚨 Hazing Victims in Simpson County: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

Attorney911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ — Now Serving Simpson County Families

📞 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline for Simpson County Hazing Victims: 1-888-ATTY-911

Simpson County Parents and Students: This Is Happening Near You

Right now, in Simpson County and across Mississippi, students are being subjected to the same brutal hazing rituals that hospitalized our client in Houston. The same national fraternities operate at universities near Simpson County. The same institutional failures exist here. And the same legal rights apply to Simpson County victims.

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 hold institutions accountable. And we are ready to fight for Simpson County families.

What Is Hazing? It’s Not “Tradition” — It’s Abuse

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of their willingness to participate.

Hazing in Simpson County Includes:

✅ Physical Abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced Consumption: Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances
✅ Sleep Deprivation: Late-night activities, early-morning demands, disrupted sleep
✅ Psychological Torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats
✅ Waterboarding: Simulated drowning — yes, this happens in Simpson County too
✅ Exposure: Forced to be outside in extreme heat or cold
✅ Servitude: Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands

This isn’t “brotherhood.” It’s not “sisterhood.” It’s not “team bonding.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s sometimes criminal. And it’s happening to students near Simpson County right now.

The Hazing Crisis in Mississippi: Simpson County Is Not Immune

Mississippi Hazing Law: It’s a Crime

Mississippi Code § 97-3-105 makes hazing a misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if a student “agrees” to participate

For hazing that causes serious injury or death, the penalties increase dramatically.

Universities Near Simpson County With Greek Life:

While Simpson County itself may not have a major university, students from Simpson County attend colleges across Mississippi where hazing is a documented problem:

The same national fraternities and sororities with hazing histories operate at these universities — including chapters near Simpson County.

Real Hazing Cases in Mississippi: This Is Happening Near Simpson County

Case 1: University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) — Sigma Phi Epsilon (2023)

• Incident: Pledges forced to drink excessive alcohol, perform dangerous physical challenges
• Outcome: Chapter suspended, multiple students disciplined
• National Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon — same nationals that had a hazing death at Clemson in 2014

Case 2: Mississippi State University — Kappa Alpha Order (2022)

• Incident: Forced alcohol consumption, physical abuse, sleep deprivation
• Outcome: Chapter placed on probation, national investigation
• National Organization: Kappa Alpha Order — same nationals involved in multiple hazing deaths nationwide

Case 3: University of Southern Mississippi — Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• Incident: Extreme physical workouts, forced consumption, psychological abuse
• Outcome: Multiple students suspended, chapter temporarily closed
• National Organization: Pi Kappa Alpha — same fraternity involved in the Stone Foltz death (2021) and our current $10M lawsuit

Simpson County families: These cases prove that hazing is happening at universities where your children attend. The same fraternities that hazed in these cases have chapters near Simpson County.

What Simpson County Families Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Causes Real, Permanent Harm

Hazing isn’t harmless fun. It causes:

Simpson County parents: If your child is being hazed, they are at risk of these injuries — right now.

2. Universities Are Complicit — Including Those Near Simpson County

Universities near Simpson County have the power to stop hazing. They choose not to because:

• Greek life brings in donations
• Greek life boosts alumni engagement
• Greek life improves rankings and prestige
• Administrators fear backlash from powerful alumni

They prioritize reputation over student safety.

3. National Organizations Know — And Do Nothing

National fraternities and sororities have actual knowledge of hazing at their chapters. They:

• Receive hazing reports from multiple chapters
• Conduct internal investigations
• Issue suspensions and closures
• Then reopen chapters under new names

They know. They do nothing. And students pay the price.

Who Is Liable for Simpson County Hazing Victims?

If your child is hazed near Simpson County, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

Simpson County families: You can sue all of them. And we know how to do it.

What Simpson County Families Can Recover in a Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing victims and their families are entitled to full compensation for all damages caused by hazing:

Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)

• Medical bills — Emergency room, hospital stays, specialists, therapy
• Future medical expenses — Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, potential surgery
• Lost wages — Time missed from work during recovery
• Lost earning capacity — If injuries affect future career
• Educational expenses — Tuition lost if forced to drop out, transfer costs

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain — From beatings, forced exercise, injuries
• Mental anguish — Trauma from abuse, humiliation, degradation
• Emotional distress — Anxiety, depression, PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement — Scars from branding, burns, or injuries

Punitive Damages (To Punish Egregious Conduct)

• Awarded when conduct is intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent
• Meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct
• No cap in Mississippi for most personal injury cases

Simpson County families: These damages can reach millions of dollars — as proven by recent hazing verdicts and settlements.

Recent Hazing Verdicts and Settlements: Simpson County Families Can Win

Simpson County families: These cases prove that hazing victims win. The same legal strategies apply to Simpson County cases. And we are ready to fight for you.

Our Current Case: The $10 Million Fight We’re Bringing to Simpson County

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi — The Case That Shows Simpson County What’s Possible

What Happened:

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez — “ghost rush” (not even enrolled at UH yet)
• Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi at University of Houston
• Incident: Waterboarded with garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, struck with wooden paddles, forced to eat until vomiting
• Result: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4 days hospitalized
• Lawsuit: $10 MILLION filed November 21, 2025

Why This Matters to Simpson County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters — including near Simpson County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client happen at Simpson County-area fraternities
• Universities near Simpson County face the same liability failures as UH
• If your child is being hazed near Simpson County, we will fight for you with the same aggression

From our attorneys:

“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.” — Ralph Manginello

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena

What Simpson County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away
• Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Photos/Videos: Injuries, hazing activities, locations
✅ Texts/Messages: GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp
✅ Social Media: Screenshots of posts about hazing
✅ Witnesses: Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
✅ Documents: Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child

DO NOT:
❌ Delete anything
❌ Talk to the fraternity/sorority without legal counsel
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• To the police: File a report — hazing is a crime in Mississippi
• To the university: File a formal complaint with the Dean of Students or Greek Life office
• To the national organization: Report to the national fraternity/sorority

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

• 2-year statute of limitations in Mississippi — don’t wait
• Evidence disappears quickly
• Witnesses forget or are intimidated
• Organizations destroy records

Simpson County families: Call us NOW at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Simpson County Families Choose Attorney911

1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

• Currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit
• Know the defendants’ tactics
• Know how to build these cases

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies
• Know how they value claims
• Know how they try to deny liability
• We use their playbook against them

3. Nationwide Reach for Simpson County Families

• Based in Texas, but serve Simpson County and all of Mississippi
• Federal court authority — can pursue cases anywhere
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
• Will travel to Simpson County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

4. We Understand the Culture

• Ralph Manginello is a father of three
• Lupe Pena is a third-generation Texan with deep community roots
• We know what’s at stake when a child is harmed
• We treat Simpson County families like family

5. No Upfront Costs for Simpson County Families

• Contingency fee — we don’t get paid unless you get paid
• $0 upfront — no retainer, no hourly fees
• We take the risk — if we don’t win, you owe us nothing

6. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation

• We don’t back down from powerful institutions
• We don’t let insurance companies intimidate us
• We fight for maximum compensation
• We fight for justice and accountability

Frequently Asked Questions for Simpson County Families

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

A: YES. Mississippi law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.

Q: The university says they didn’t know. Are they still responsible?

A: YES. Universities near Simpson County have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing, they are liable. Many universities own the fraternity houses — they can’t claim ignorance when they own the property.

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

A: NO. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Assault is assault. Torture is torture. Hazing is a crime in Mississippi.

Q: We’re in Simpson County. Can you still help us?

A: YES. We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Simpson County. We offer video consultations and will travel to Simpson County for your case.

Q: How much is my child’s case worth?

A: Every case is unique. Factors include:

• Severity of injuries
• Medical expenses
• Psychological impact
• Whether the university knew
• Whether the national organization knew
• Strength of evidence

Recent hazing cases have resulted in $4 million to $110 million settlements and verdicts. We will fight for maximum compensation for your Simpson County family.

Q: How long will this take?

A: Most cases settle within 12-24 months. Complex cases with multiple defendants (like universities and nationals) may take longer. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Q: Will my child have to testify?

A: Many cases settle without trial. If your case goes to trial, your child may need to testify. We prepare our clients thoroughly and support them through every step.

Q: What if the fraternity retaliates against my child?

A: Retaliation is illegal. We will protect your child and hold the organization accountable for any retaliation.

Simpson County Fraternities and Sororities: We Are Watching

To the Chapters Operating Near Simpson County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.

Pi Kappa Phi: You paid after Andrew Coffey died. You’re paying now after Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized. When will you stop?

Sigma Phi Epsilon: You’ve been suspended at Ole Miss. You had a hazing death at Clemson. How many more?

Kappa Alpha Order: You’ve been disciplined at Mississippi State. You’ve had hazing deaths at other schools. When does it end?

Phi Delta Theta: You paid $6.1 million after Maxwell Gruver died. How much is a life worth to you?

To every fraternity and sorority near Simpson County: We are watching. We are documenting. And when you haze students, we will sue you, your national organization, your university, and every individual responsible.

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

Universities Near Simpson County: You Are Next

To the Administrators at Universities Near Simpson County:

You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect. You have the power to shut down dangerous chapters.

You had the power to prevent this. You chose not to use it.

Now you will pay.

University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson State University, Delta State University, Mississippi College:

We are coming for you. We will hold you accountable. We will expose your failures. And we will make you pay for every student you failed to protect.

Simpson County Families: This Is Your Call to Action

If your child has been hazed near Simpson County, you have legal rights. You have power. And you have us.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, confidential consultation

📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com

🌐 Website: attorney911.com

We serve Simpson County and all of Mississippi. We travel to you. We fight for you.

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free Consultation: We listen to your story and evaluate your case
2. Immediate Action: We send preservation letters to protect evidence
3. No Upfront Costs: We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
4. Aggressive Representation: We build your case and fight for maximum compensation
5. Justice and Accountability: We hold every responsible party accountable

Simpson County Parents: Protect Your Child

You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity or sorority.

That trust was betrayed.

Now it’s time to fight back.

Call us. We will fight for your child. We will fight for your family. And we will make sure this never happens to another Simpson County family.

1-888-ATTY-911

Attorney911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ — Serving Simpson County Hazing Victims