🚨 Hazing Lawyers in Crawford County: Protecting Students from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Crawford County parents: Is your child being hazed at college?
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university near Crawford County to protect them. You believed that Greek organizations would provide mentorship and friendship.
Instead, your child may be subjected to torture disguised as tradition—waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption, extreme physical punishment, and psychological abuse. And when it goes wrong, universities and fraternities cover it up—until someone gets hurt or killed.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting this battle right now. We are representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles at a fraternity near Houston. The same fraternities operate at universities near Crawford County. The same negligence exists at Crawford County institutions.
If your child has been hazed, we can help. We serve hazing victims across Missouri and nationwide—including Crawford County. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
🏆 Why Crawford County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
1. We Are Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the courtroom right now, and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Crawford County families.
2. We Know the Hazing Playbook
Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to minimize claims. We’ve seen their playbook from the inside—and now we use that knowledge to destroy their defenses.
3. We Have Proven Results in Hazing Cases
- Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation – We understand the medical consequences of forced exercise
- Kappa Sigma fraternity expertise – We’ve handled cases involving major Greek organizations
- Texas A&M University hazing cases – We know how universities fail to protect students
- Multi-million dollar case experience – We’ve secured large settlements and verdicts
4. We Serve Crawford County – No Matter Where the Hazing Happened
While we’re based in Texas (Houston, Austin, Beaumont), we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Crawford County. We offer:
- Video consultations – Meet with us remotely
- Travel commitment – We come to Crawford County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Federal court authority – We can pursue your case in federal jurisdiction
- Dual-state bar licenses – Texas AND New York
5. We Speak Your Language – Literally
Many hazing victims are international students or come from immigrant families. We have bilingual staff and offer services in Spanish. We understand the unique challenges Crawford County families face.
6. We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win
Hazing cases are taken on contingency—you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This means:
- No financial risk for Crawford County families
- No hourly fees – We don’t bill by the hour
- We take the risk – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
🔍 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Missouri)
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys” or “building brotherhood.” It’s abuse, and it’s illegal in Missouri.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360 defines hazing as:
“Any activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization.”
This includes:
✅ Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances to the point of vomiting or injury
✅ Psychological abuse – Humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation, isolation
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Dangerous activities – Waterboarding, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces
Missouri law is clear: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent does not matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of whether the victim consented.
🏥 The Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing isn’t just embarrassing—it can be deadly. Some of the most common medical consequences include:
| Injury | What It Is | Hazing Activities That Cause It |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown that damages kidneys | Forced exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls) |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste | Rhabdomyolysis; dehydration |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Potentially fatal overdose | Forced binge drinking |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Brain damage from blows or falls | Beatings with paddles; falls during hazing |
| Hypothermia | Dangerously low body temperature | Exposure to cold weather; forced outdoor activities |
| Heat Stroke | Overheating that can cause organ failure | Extreme physical activity in hot conditions |
| Internal Bleeding | Bleeding inside the body | Physical assaults; forced consumption injuries |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Long-term psychological trauma | Psychological abuse; humiliation; threats |
Our client was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats. This could happen to your child at a university near Crawford County.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in millions of dollars in compensation, depending on the severity of the injuries and the defendants involved. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded in recent hazing cases:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (alcohol poisoning) | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Confidential settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10 million lawsuit pending |
These same results are possible for Crawford County families.
What Damages Can Crawford County Victims Recover?
| Damage Type | Examples | Crawford County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment | Cover all medical costs from hazing injuries |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work due to injuries | Recover income lost during recovery |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from hazing activities | Compensation for agony of waterboarding, paddling, forced exercise |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse | Therapy costs; emotional trauma compensation |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | When fraternities engage in torture (waterboarding, extreme physical abuse) |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | Funeral expenses; loss of companionship; lifetime earnings |
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Crawford County?
When hazing happens, everyone who participated or allowed it can be held liable. In our current case, we are suing:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise despite knowledge of hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students despite prior hazing incidents |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Housing Corporation | Owned property where hazing occurred |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
Crawford County families: These same defendants exist at universities near Crawford County.
📅 Missouri Statute of Limitations – Act Now
Missouri law gives you only 2 years from the date of injury to file a hazing lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Crawford County
If your child has been hazed, follow these steps immediately:
1. Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately
- Medical records are critical evidence
2. Preserve Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
- Save all communications – texts, emails, GroupMe chats, social media
- Document everything – dates, times, locations, what happened
- Get witness names – other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw or heard about the hazing
3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Fraternities/sororities will try to control the narrative
- They may destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses
- Do not give statements to university administrators or Greek life leaders without legal counsel
4. Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Anything you post can be used against you
- Even innocent posts (“I’m fine”) can be twisted to claim you weren’t hurt
- Stay off social media until your case is resolved
5. Call Attorney 911 Immediately
- 1-888-ATTY-911 – 24/7 free consultation
- We will guide you through the legal process
- We will handle all communications with the organization and insurance companies
🚫 Common Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases
Hazing victims and their families often make mistakes that destroy their legal rights. Avoid these at all costs:
| Mistake | Why It’s Dangerous | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Deleting texts/social media | Destroys evidence of hazing | Preserve everything |
| Talking to the organization | They’ll use your words against you | Let your attorney handle all communication |
| Waiting too long to act | Evidence disappears; statute of limitations expires | Call an attorney immediately |
| Not seeking medical attention | Insurance companies will claim you weren’t hurt | See a doctor right away |
| Posting on social media | Defense will use posts to claim you’re “fine” | Stay off social media |
| Signing documents | May waive your legal rights | Never sign anything without an attorney |
🎯 How We Win Hazing Cases for Crawford County Families
Step 1: Immediate Case Evaluation
- Free, confidential consultation
- Determine if you have a viable case
- Explain your legal rights and options
Step 2: Evidence Preservation
- Send preservation letters to all defendants
- Demand they preserve all evidence (texts, photos, videos, documents)
- Take immediate action to prevent evidence destruction
Step 3: Medical Documentation
- Work with medical experts to document injuries
- Obtain all medical records
- Calculate future medical needs
Step 4: Identify All Liable Parties
- Local chapter
- National organization
- University
- Individual members
- Housing corporation
- Alumni
Step 5: Aggressive Litigation
- File lawsuit against all defendants
- Conduct depositions to uncover the truth
- Use pattern evidence (prior hazing incidents) to prove negligence
- Push for maximum compensation
Step 6: Negotiation or Trial
- Negotiate aggressively with defendants
- If they won’t settle fairly, take the case to trial
- Fight for justice in front of a jury
🏆 Our Track Record in Hazing and Personal Injury Cases
Case 1: $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit (Ongoing)
- Client: Leonel Bermudez
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
- University: University of Houston
- Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
- Hazing Activities: Waterboarding, forced eating until vomiting, 500 squats, wooden paddles
- Status: Lawsuit filed November 2025
Case 2: BP Texas City Explosion Litigation
- Represented victims of catastrophic refinery explosion
- $1.5 billion mass tort litigation
- Demonstrated ability to handle complex, high-stakes cases
Case 3: Multi-Million Dollar Personal Injury Settlements
- Recovered millions for victims of car accidents, trucking accidents, workplace injuries
- Proven ability to secure large settlements and verdicts
Case 4: Criminal Defense Victories
- Hundreds of cases dismissed
- Demonstrated ability to dismantle prosecution cases
🗣️ What Our Clients Say About Us
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” – Dame Haskett
“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months, I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” – Donald Wilcox
“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” – Chad Harris
“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.” – Kiwi Potato
“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.” – Debra Cambric-Chisolm
📞 How Crawford County Families Can Reach Us
For immediate help with hazing cases, call our 24/7 legal emergency hotline:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Office Locations (Serving Crawford County):
- Houston: 1177 W Loop S Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
- Austin: Serving Crawford County from our Austin office
- Beaumont: Serving Crawford County from our Beaumont office
We come to Crawford County for:
- Client meetings
- Depositions
- Trials
- Court appearances
🔥 Fraternities and Sororities Near Crawford County: We Are Watching You
To Greek organizations operating near Crawford County:
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for every chapter that engages in hazing.
We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements across America.
If you haze students near Crawford County, we will:
- Sue your local chapter
- Sue your national organization
- Sue your housing corporation
- Sue your individual members
- Sue your alumni
- Sue your insurance carriers
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case. This is not a threat—it’s a promise.
The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Why We Fight for Crawford County Families
We fight for hazing victims because we’ve seen what happens when institutions fail to protect our children. We’ve seen:
- Students hospitalized with kidney failure from forced exercise
- Students dying from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink
- Students traumatized for life from psychological abuse
- Families devastated by loss
Crawford County families: You are not alone. We are here to fight for you. We are here to hold these institutions accountable. And we are here to make sure this never happens to another Crawford County family.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions for Crawford County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to sue. Should we still call a lawyer?
A: Yes. Even if your child doesn’t want to sue, you should consult with an attorney to understand your rights. Hazing is illegal, and universities/fraternities may be required to take action. Additionally, your child may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, therapy, and other damages—even if they don’t want to pursue a lawsuit.
Q: The fraternity says my child consented to hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal regardless of consent.
Q: My child attends college outside of Missouri. Can you still help?
A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Missouri and beyond. Our federal court authority and dual-state bar licenses allow us to pursue cases anywhere in the country.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so there’s no financial risk for Crawford County families.
Q: What if the hazing happened months ago? Is it too late to sue?
A: Missouri has a 2-year statute of limitations for hazing cases. However, the clock may not start running until the injury is discovered (for example, if PTSD symptoms appear later). Call us immediately—even if the hazing happened months ago, we can evaluate your case.
Q: Can we sue the university, or just the fraternity?
A: Both. Universities have a duty to protect students from hazing. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable. In our current case, we are suing both the fraternity and the university.
Q: My child is an international student. Will suing affect their visa?
A: No. Pursuing a civil lawsuit for hazing does not negatively impact visa status. We have experience representing international students and can guide you through the process.
Q: The fraternity says they’ve already punished the members involved. Do we still have a case?
A: Yes. Internal fraternity discipline does not prevent you from pursuing legal action. In fact, if the fraternity has already acknowledged wrongdoing, that can strengthen your case.
Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?
A: Hazing cases can take 1-3 years from filing to resolution, depending on the complexity. Some cases settle quickly, while others go to trial. We work aggressively to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while maximizing compensation.
Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?
A: We protect our clients. Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We take steps to ensure your child’s safety and confidentiality throughout the legal process.
🚨 Crawford County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child
This is what hazing looks like in 2025:
- Waterboarding – Simulated drowning with a garden hose
- Forced eating – Milk, hot dogs, peppercorns consumed until vomiting
- Extreme physical punishment – 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls
- Psychological torture – Hog-tying pledges with objects in their mouths
- Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive members during early morning hours
- Humiliation – Carrying sexual objects, stripping in cold weather
- Threats – Expulsion if they don’t comply
This is not “tradition.” This is not “brotherhood.” This is torture.
And it’s happening at universities near Crawford County.
📞 Call Now – 1-888-ATTY-911
Crawford County families: If your child has been hazed, call us now for a free, confidential consultation.
- 24/7 availability – We’re here when you need us
- $0 upfront cost – No financial risk
- Nationwide representation – We serve Crawford County and beyond
- Aggressive advocacy – We fight for maximum compensation
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Your legal rights expire.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.