Hazing Lawyer in Dent County, Missouri – Protecting Victims of Fraternity & Sorority Abuse
Dent County Families: Your Child Deserves Justice
If your son or daughter has been hazed at a college or university near Dent County, Missouri, you are not alone. Hazing is not “tradition” — it is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture. At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. The same fraternities and sororities operate near Dent County, and we are here to fight for your family too.
🚨 This Happens in Dent County Too
Dent County is home to families who send their children to colleges and universities across Missouri and beyond. Many of these institutions have active Greek life chapters — including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others — that have been involved in hazing incidents nationwide. If your child was hazed at a university near Dent County, we can help.
💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like
Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” It’s dangerous, illegal, and often life-threatening. In our current case, a student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
- Hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This is not “brotherhood” — it’s torture. And it happens in Dent County’s backyard.
📞 Dent County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We serve Dent County families nationwide. No upfront costs — we only get paid if we win your case.
🏛️ Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Dent County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise chapters, ignored prior incidents |
| University/College | Failed to protect students, ignored warning signs |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Led and participated in hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Actively participated in or enabled hazing |
| Alumni Who Hosted Hazing | Allowed dangerous activities at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional and individual liability |
💡 Dent County Families: You Can Sue Even If Your Child “Consented”
Missouri law (like Texas law) says consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, and university can still be held liable.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth in Dent County?
Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, depending on the severity of the injuries and the egregiousness of the conduct. Recent hazing cases have resulted in:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Confidential settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending |
🔍 What Determines the Value of a Dent County Hazing Case?
- Severity of injuries (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, paddling, forced consumption)
- Institutional knowledge (Did the university or national organization know about prior hazing?)
- Pattern of abuse (Was this an isolated incident, or part of a culture of hazing?)
- Defendants’ ability to pay (National organizations and universities have deep pockets)
🏥 Common Hazing Injuries in Dent County Cases
Hazing can cause serious, life-altering injuries, including:
| Injury | Cause | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls) | Kidney failure, permanent damage |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking (binge drinking, chugging) | Death, brain damage, organ failure |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Beating, falls, head trauma | Memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes |
| Broken Bones | Physical abuse, paddling | Chronic pain, disability |
| Internal Bleeding | Blows to the abdomen | Emergency surgery, long-term complications |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to extreme cold/heat | Organ failure, death |
| PTSD & Anxiety | Psychological torture | Therapy, medication, lifelong trauma |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts | Severe psychological harm, legal consequences |
| Death | Extreme hazing (alcohol poisoning, physical trauma) | Wrongful death lawsuits, criminal charges |
🚑 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Dent County
If your child has been hazed, act immediately to protect their rights:
- 🏥 Seek Medical Attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
- 📸 Document Everything – Take photos of injuries, save text messages, screenshots, and social media posts.
- 🚫 Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority or University Alone – They will try to minimize the incident. Let us handle all communications.
- 📞 Call Attorney 911 Immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911 – Evidence disappears quickly, and Missouri has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
- 📝 Report to Authorities – Consider filing a police report or Title IX complaint.
🎓 Why Dent County Families Choose Attorney 911
1️⃣ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other law firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know how they minimize claims, delay payments, and try to blame the victim. We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
3️⃣ We Travel to Dent County for Your Case
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Dent County. We will come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
4️⃣ No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
5️⃣ Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español
Many hazing victims in Dent County come from Spanish-speaking families. We speak Spanish and can communicate with you in your preferred language.
6️⃣ Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Wins
We’ve recovered millions for personal injury victims, including:
- $10.1 million in the Stone Foltz hazing case
- $6.1 million jury verdict in the Maxwell Gruver case
- Millions in trucking, refinery, and workplace injury cases
📞 Dent County Hazing Victims: Call Now for a Free Consultation
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Dent County families nationwide. No upfront costs — we only get paid if we win your case.
🔍 Common Questions from Dent County Families
❓ Can I sue if my child was hazed at a college near Dent County?
Yes. If your child was hazed at a university near Dent County (such as Missouri State University, University of Missouri, or other schools), you can sue the fraternity, sorority, university, and individuals responsible.
❓ What if my child “consented” to hazing?
Missouri law (like Texas law) says consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity, sorority, and university can still be held liable.
❓ How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in Dent County?
Missouri has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. If your child was hazed, act immediately — evidence disappears quickly, and your rights expire after 2 years.
❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?
You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on-campus, off-campus, or at a private residence.
❓ Can I sue the national fraternity/sorority organization?
Yes. National organizations have deep pockets and can be held liable for failing to supervise their chapters. In our current case, we’re suing Pi Kappa Phi National for ignoring prior hazing incidents.
❓ What if my child was injured but not hospitalized?
You may still have a case. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, hazing can cause PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other long-term harm. We can help you pursue compensation for these injuries.
❓ What if my child is afraid to speak out?
We understand that hazing victims often fear retaliation. We protect our clients’ privacy and can pursue legal action without exposing their identity until necessary.
🏛️ Missouri Hazing Laws – What Dent County Families Need to Know
Missouri has strict anti-hazing laws that apply to colleges and universities near Dent County. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360, hazing is defined as:
“Any act which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.”
🚔 Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Missouri
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Hazing (Class A Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 year in jail and $2,000 fine |
| Hazing Causing Serious Injury (Class E Felony) | Up to 4 years in prison |
| Hazing Causing Death (Class D Felony) | Up to 7 years in prison |
💡 Civil Liability – You Can Sue for Money Damages
Even if criminal charges are filed, you can still sue for financial compensation, including:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages (if your child missed work or school)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)
🎯 Fraternities & Sororities Near Dent County with Hazing Histories
The same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits operate chapters near Dent County. Some of the most dangerous include:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Universities Near Dent County with Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017 – death), Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025 – kidney failure) | University of Missouri, Missouri State University |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths, alcohol poisoning cases | University of Missouri, Missouri State University |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021 – death), Jared Munoz (UH, 2017 – lacerated spleen) | University of Missouri, Missouri S&T |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017 – death) | University of Missouri |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017 – death) | University of Missouri |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple hazing injuries and deaths | Missouri State University, University of Missouri |
| Sigma Chi | Recent hazing death lawsuit (UT Austin, 2025) | University of Missouri |
🚨 Warning to Fraternities Near Dent County
We are watching. The same legal strategies that won $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If you haze students near Dent County, we will find every liable entity and hold you accountable.
📞 Dent County Families: Call Now for Justice
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Dent County families nationwide. No upfront costs — we only get paid if we win your case.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to Fight Back.
Hazing has taken too many lives and ruined too many futures. If your child has been hazed at a university near Dent County, you have the power to stop it from happening to someone else.
Call Attorney 911 today. We will fight for your child, your family, and justice.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
💬 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Dent County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Houston. Let’s end hazing together.