Hazing Victims in Boone County, Missouri: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice
Boone County Families: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Boone County, Missouri, you need to know: this was not tradition. This was not bonding. This was abuse. And you have powerful legal rights to hold the perpetrators and institutions accountable.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — a case that has exposed waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and a culture of institutional negligence. The same fraternities operate at universities near Boone County. The same hazing happens here. And we will fight for Boone County families with the same aggression.
You deserve justice. Your child deserves compensation. And together, we can prevent this from happening to another Boone County family.
What Is Hazing? Missouri Law Explained
Missouri law defines hazing as any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate.
This includes:
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Extreme physical exercise (like our client who was forced to do 500 squats)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Physical assaults or beatings
- Sleep deprivation
- Sexual humiliation
- Psychological abuse
Missouri Statute § 578.360 makes hazing a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine. If the hazing results in serious physical injury or death, it becomes a Class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison.
Importantly, Missouri law — like Texas law — states that consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the hazers accountable.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Boone County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:
1. The Local Chapter
The Boone County fraternity or sorority chapter that directly organized and conducted the hazing activities.
2. The National Organization
The national fraternity or sorority (like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, etc.) that failed to supervise the Boone County chapter despite knowing about hazing risks. In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after a student died — they did nothing.
3. The University or College
Mizzou, Stephens College, Columbia College, and other Boone County institutions have a legal duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable — especially if the hazing occurred on university-owned property.
4. Individual Members and Leaders
The chapter president, pledgemaster, and every member who participated in or enabled the hazing can be personally sued. In a recent case, a fraternity president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally for his role in hazing.
5. Housing Corporations and Property Owners
If hazing occurred at a fraternity or sorority house, the organization that owns or controls the property can be held responsible under premises liability laws.
What Compensation Can Boone County Hazing Victims Receive?
Hazing victims in Boone County can pursue economic and non-economic damages, including:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, rehabilitation)
- Future medical costs (if injuries require long-term care)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or internships)
- Educational disruption (tuition refunds, scholarship losses)
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering (the agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, or other injuries)
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression from the abuse)
- Humiliation and shame (from forced nudity, sexual humiliation, or other degrading acts)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
Punitive Damages
If the hazing was particularly egregious — like waterboarding, forced consumption to the point of hospitalization, or a cover-up — Boone County courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.
Recent hazing verdicts and settlements:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Ohio)
- $6.1 million (Max Gruver, Louisiana)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Pennsylvania)
These same results are possible for Boone County victims.
What Should Boone County Families Do Immediately?
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what to do right now:
1. Seek Medical Attention
Even if your child seems “fine,” hazing can cause delayed-onset injuries like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), traumatic brain injury, or psychological trauma. Get them checked by a doctor immediately and document everything.
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or abusive activities
- Screenshots of text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, or social media posts about hazing
- Names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
- Medical records from hospital or doctor visits
- Any physical evidence (paddles, clothing, objects used in hazing)
Do NOT delete anything. Even if it’s embarrassing, it’s evidence.
3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without Legal Counsel
These organizations will try to control the narrative. They may offer a quick settlement, ask for a statement, or pressure your child to “move on.” Do not sign anything or give any statements without talking to an attorney first.
4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email ralph@atty911.com
- Video consultation available for Boone County families
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Boone County Hazing Case?
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. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight, and we know how to win.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña both worked for national insurance defense firms before switching sides to represent victims. We know how the other side thinks, and we know how to dismantle their defenses.
3. Federal Court Authority
We are admitted to U.S. District Court, which means we can pursue Boone County hazing cases in federal court if necessary — especially against national fraternities and sororities.
4. Dual-State Licensed (Texas and New York)
This gives us strategic flexibility to take on national organizations headquartered anywhere in the country.
5. We Will Travel to Boone County
We come to you for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
6. Aggressive, Compassionate Representation
We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We fight hard because we care deeply about stopping hazing culture.
7. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español)
We serve Spanish-speaking families in Boone County without language barriers.
Boone County Hazing: The Reality
Hazing is not limited to Greek life. It happens in:
- Fraternities and sororities (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others operate near Boone County)
- Sports teams (football, baseball, soccer, etc.)
- Marching bands
- ROTC programs
- Student clubs and organizations
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide have active chapters near Boone County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Boone County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
Boone County Universities and Hazing Risks
University of Missouri (Mizzou)
- Greek life is a major part of campus culture (nearly 30 fraternities and sororities)
- Known hazing incidents in the past, including alcohol-related hospitalizations
- Mizzou owns or leases fraternity and sorority houses — premises liability applies
Stephens College
- Smaller private women’s college with active Greek life
- Hazing risks exist in sororities and student organizations
Columbia College
- Growing Greek life presence
- Hazing can occur in any student group
If your child attends any Boone County institution, they are at risk — and you have legal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions for Boone County Families
1. “My child consented to hazing. Can we still sue?”
Yes. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the hazers accountable.
2. “The fraternity says this was just ‘tradition.’ Is that a defense?”
No. “Tradition” does not justify illegal activity. Waterboarding, forced drinking, and extreme physical abuse are not tradition — they are crimes.
3. “We’re worried about retaliation. Will the fraternity target my child?”
We take retaliation concerns very seriously. In our current case, our client is fearful of doing interviews due to retribution. We will protect your child’s identity and safety throughout the legal process.
4. “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, but you should act immediately. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the longer you wait, the harder it is to build a strong case.
5. “We can’t afford a lawyer. How much does this cost?”
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, and our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict. Boone County families pay $0 unless we recover compensation for you.
6. “Will this affect my child’s standing at the university?”
Universities have legal obligations to protect students from retaliation. If your child faces disciplinary action for reporting hazing, we will fight back.
7. “Can we sue the university if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Yes. Even if hazing occurred off-campus, universities can still be held liable if they knew or should have known about the risks and failed to act.
The Boone County Hazing Lawsuit Process
1. Free Consultation
We evaluate your case, explain your rights, and discuss next steps — at no cost to you.
2. Evidence Collection
We gather medical records, witness statements, photos, videos, and other evidence to build a strong case.
3. Demand Letter
We send a demand to the defendants (fraternity, university, individuals) outlining their liability and the compensation we seek.
4. Negotiation
We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and defendants to secure a fair settlement.
5. Litigation (If Necessary)
If the defendants refuse to offer a fair settlement, we file a lawsuit and take the case to court.
6. Trial or Settlement
Most cases settle before trial, but we are prepared to go to trial to get you the justice you deserve.
Boone County Hazing: The Bigger Picture
Hazing is not just a Boone County problem — it’s a national crisis. But Boone County families can be part of the solution.
Our current case has already led to:
- The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH being permanently closed
- National media coverage exposing hazing culture
- Increased awareness of the dangers of Greek life
Your case can do the same for Boone County.
Boone County Families: It’s Time to Take a Stand
If your child has been hazed in Boone County, Missouri, you have the power to:
✅ Hold the abusers accountable
✅ Secure compensation for medical bills, therapy, and pain and suffering
✅ Prevent this from happening to another Boone County family
✅ Change the culture of hazing in Missouri
You are not powerless. You are not alone.
Contact Attorney 911 Today
Boone County hazing victims and families — call now for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We come to Boone County. We fight for Boone County. And we won’t stop until justice is served.