Hazing Lawyers in Butler County, MO – Protecting Victims & Families
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines – Neither Do We
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization near Butler County, Missouri, you’re not alone. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized a University of Houston student with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure happen right here in Southeast Missouri.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—and we’re ready to bring that same fight to Butler County families.
Butler County Parents: You Sent Your Child to College for Education, Not Torture
When you sent your child to college near Butler County, you trusted that universities and Greek organizations would keep them safe. Instead, your child may have been subjected to:
- Waterboarding (simulated drowning)
- Forced consumption of alcohol or food until vomiting
- Extreme physical punishment (500+ squats, 100+ pushups)
- Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
- Psychological humiliation and abuse
These aren’t “pranks.” They’re crimes. And they can cause permanent physical and psychological damage—or worse.
Hazing in Missouri: The Crisis Hits Close to Home
Missouri has seen its share of hazing tragedies. While Butler County hasn’t had a widely publicized hazing death, the same fraternities and sororities that operate in Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, and Southeast Missouri have chapters across the country with documented abuse.
Missouri Hazing Laws: What Families Need to Know
Missouri has strong anti-hazing laws (RSMo § 578.360), making it a misdemeanor or felony to haze a student. But too often, universities and Greek organizations cover up incidents rather than stopping them.
Under Missouri law:
✅ Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t excuse abuse.
✅ Organizations can be held liable – Fraternities, sororities, and universities can be sued for failing to prevent hazing.
✅ Criminal charges are possible – Hazing that causes serious injury or death can lead to felony charges.
Yet, despite these laws, hazing continues—because no one is held accountable.
Why Butler County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student hospitalized with kidney failure after being hazed at Pi Kappa Phi’s University of Houston chapter. Our lawsuit seeks $10 million and has already forced the fraternity to shut down the chapter.
The same fraternities operate near Butler County. The same negligence exists at Missouri universities. And we will fight for Butler County families with the same aggression.
2. We Know How to Win Against Powerful Institutions
Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize or deny your claim. You need a legal team that:
✔ Understands Greek life culture (we’ve litigated fraternity cases before)
✔ Knows how to expose cover-ups (we’ve seen universities hide hazing before)
✔ Has the resources to take on deep-pocketed defendants (we’ve won multi-million-dollar settlements)
3. We Travel to Butler County – Distance is Not a Barrier
While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Butler County, MO. We offer:
- Free remote consultations (video or phone)
- Willingness to travel to Butler County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- 24/7 availability for hazing emergencies
4. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning:
✅ $0 upfront – You pay nothing to hire us.
✅ We only get paid if we win your case – Our fee comes from your settlement or verdict.
✅ No financial risk – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Butler County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
If your child was hazed and is experiencing:
- Severe muscle pain
- Dark/brown urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
- Difficulty walking or moving
- Signs of alcohol poisoning (confusion, vomiting, unconsciousness)
Take them to the ER immediately. Hazing injuries can be life-threatening, and delaying treatment can make them worse.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
Hazing cases are won or lost based on evidence. Do not delete anything.
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshot everything)
✔ Photos or videos of injuries, hazing activities, or fraternity/sorority events
✔ Medical records (ER visits, doctor’s notes, therapy records)
✔ Names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
✔ Any documents given by the organization (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone
They will try to control the narrative and may pressure your child to:
❌ Sign a waiver or non-disclosure agreement
❌ Admit fault or downplay the incident
❌ Delete evidence (texts, photos, social media posts)
Let us handle all communication. Once you hire us, they can’t contact you directly—they must go through your attorneys.
Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately – Time is Running Out
Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but evidence disappears fast. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Call us 24/7 at:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
Who We Sue in Butler County Hazing Cases
When your child is hazed, multiple parties are responsible—and we sue them all.
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; ignored prior hazing incidents |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity house |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional negligence |
We don’t just sue broke college students—we go after deep pockets.
What Your Butler County Hazing Case Could Be Worth
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000 – $3,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, lost internship opportunities | $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| Educational Impact | Failed classes, delayed graduation, lost scholarships | $20,000 – $200,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | To punish egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking) | $100,000 – $2,000,000+ |
Recent hazing verdicts & settlements:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
Your Butler County case could be worth millions.
Butler County Schools & Greek Organizations We’re Watching
While we can’t name specific incidents without a client, we know that hazing happens at schools near Butler County, including:
Universities Near Butler County with Greek Life:
-
Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO)
- Active fraternities: Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Phi Epsilon
- Active sororities: Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha
-
Three Rivers College (Poplar Bluff, MO)
- Smaller Greek presence, but hazing can still occur in clubs and organizations
-
Missouri State University (Springfield, MO)
- Large Greek system with documented hazing risks
National Fraternities with Hazing Histories Near Butler County:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases |
|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz ($10.1M), Andrew Coffey (death) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Max Gruver ($6.1M verdict) |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza ($110M+ settlement) |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple hazing suspensions nationwide |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver (LSU, $6.1M verdict) |
If your child was hazed by any of these organizations near Butler County, we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Butler County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still talk to a lawyer?
A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, consulting an attorney protects their rights. We can:
- Advise on medical and academic accommodations
- Help file a Title IX complaint (if applicable)
- Ensure evidence is preserved in case they change their mind
- Prevent the university from pressuring them into silence
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Can they still be held liable?
A: Absolutely. Missouri law (RSMo § 578.360) explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t excuse abuse.
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Missouri?
A: Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears quickly, so contact us immediately to preserve your case.
Q: The university says they’re “investigating.” Should I wait to see what happens?
A: No. Universities protect themselves, not victims. Their “investigation” is designed to minimize liability. We can:
- Conduct our own independent investigation
- Preserve evidence before it’s destroyed
- File a lawsuit to force transparency
Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?
A: Retaliation is illegal under Title IX and Missouri law. We:
- Send preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction
- Handle all communication with the university/fraternity
- File protective motions if retaliation occurs
- Can add retaliation claims to the lawsuit if needed
Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from your settlement or verdict.
Butler County Families: The Time to Act is Now
Hazing doesn’t just hurt your child—it betrays your trust. You sent them to college to learn, grow, and build a future. Instead, they were tortured, humiliated, and endangered.
You have the power to hold the people responsible accountable.
Call Attorney 911 Today – Free, Confidential Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
We will travel to Butler County for your case. We will fight for your child. And we will make sure this never happens to another family.
🚨 If your child was hazed near Butler County, MO, call now before evidence disappears.
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com