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February 23, 2026 11 min read
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Hazing Lawyer in Dunklin County, MO | Attorney 911

🚨 Dunklin County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. Now What?

If your son or daughter was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization in or near Dunklin County, Missouri, you are not alone. And you are not powerless.

At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to kidney failure, and systematic abuse of a student. The same fraternities operate at universities near Dunklin County. The same negligence exists at institutions in your community.

We will fight for Dunklin County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

(Available 24/7 for Dunklin County hazing emergencies)

🔥 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Missouri)

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

Examples of Hazing in Dunklin County (and Across Missouri):

Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, chugging)
Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, it happens in Missouri)
Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns)
Sleep deprivation (forced late-night activities, early-morning driving)
Beatings with wooden paddles or objects
Sexual humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
Psychological abuse (threats, isolation, verbal degradation)

🚫 Missouri Law: Hazing Is a Crime

Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360, hazing is a misdemeanor—and if it causes serious injury or death, it can be a felony.

Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says they cannot legally consent to abuse.

🏥 The Medical Reality: Hazing Can Kill

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s dangerous, often life-threatening, and leaves lasting scars.

Common Hazing Injuries in Dunklin County:

🔴 Rhabdomyolysis – Muscle breakdown from extreme exercise (like our client who did 500 squats and ended up in the hospital with kidney failure)
🔴 Acute alcohol poisoning – Forced drinking can lead to coma or death (like Andrew Coffey at Pi Kappa Phi in 2017)
🔴 Traumatic brain injury – From beatings, falls, or lack of oxygen
🔴 Hypothermia or heatstroke – From forced exposure to extreme weather
🔴 PTSD, anxiety, and depression – Psychological trauma lasts long after the physical injuries heal

If your child was hazed in Dunklin County, seek medical attention immediately—even if they “feel fine.” Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) take days to appear.

💰 Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Dunklin County?

When hazing happens, everyone involved can be sued—not just the individuals who did it.

Potential Defendants in a Dunklin County Hazing Case:

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Organized and conducted the hazing
National Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture
University/College Failed to prevent hazing despite prior incidents
Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster) Directed or allowed hazing to happen
Individual Members Participated in or witnessed hazing
Alumni/Hosts Allowed hazing at their homes
Insurance Companies Coverage for institutional liability

🏛️ Universities Near Dunklin County With Greek Life:

While Dunklin County itself is rural, several universities with active Greek life are within driving distance:

  • Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO) – ~1 hour from Kennett
  • University of Missouri (Columbia, MO) – ~4 hours from Kennett
  • Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, AR) – ~1.5 hours from Kennett
  • University of Memphis (Memphis, TN) – ~2 hours from Kennett

If your child was hazed at any of these institutions, we can help.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Dunklin County

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

  • Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
  • Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be fatal if untreated.
  • Document everything (photos, medical records, bills).

✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence

  • Save all texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs about hazing.
  • Take screenshots of social media posts (before they’re deleted).
  • Photograph injuries at all stages of healing.
  • Get witness names and contact info (other victims, bystanders).

✅ Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or University Alone

  • Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence you.
  • They will twist your words to minimize your claim.
  • Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.

✅ Step 4: Call a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

  • Missouri has a 2-year statute of limitations—if you wait, you lose your right to sue.
  • Evidence disappears fast—texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records.
  • We offer free consultations—no upfront cost, no obligation.

📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

💼 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Dunklin County Hazing Case?

🏆 We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case involving waterboarding, forced exercise to kidney failure, and weeks of systematic abuse.

Dunklin County families get the same aggressive representation.

👨🏻‍⚖️ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys—We Know Their Playbook

  • Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
  • We know exactly how they’ll try to deny or minimize your claim.
  • We use their own tactics against them to maximize your compensation.

⚖️ Federal Court Authority—We Can Sue Anywhere

  • Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (and other federal courts).
  • Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York).
  • We serve Dunklin County families nationwide—distance is not a barrier.

💬 Se Habla Español—Bilingual Representation

  • Lupe Pena is fluent in Spanish—no language barriers for Dunklin County families.
  • We understand the cultural and emotional challenges of hazing cases.

💰 No Upfront Cost—We Only Get Paid If You Win

  • Contingency fee basis—you pay $0 upfront.
  • We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
  • No risk to you—we take the financial burden so you can focus on healing.

🏆 Proven Results in High-Stakes Cases

  • $10 million hazing lawsuit (current case)
  • Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
  • BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
  • Former insurance defense attorneys—we know how to beat their strategies

📌 Dunklin County Hazing Case Examples (What We’ve Handled)

🔴 Case 1: $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi & University of Houston (2025)

  • Victim: Leonel Bermudez (pledge, not even enrolled at UH yet)
  • Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, forced eating until vomiting, wooden paddles
  • Injuries: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
  • Status: $10 million lawsuit filed—currently in litigation

Why This Matters for Dunklin County:
Same fraternities operate near Dunklin County—Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities across the region.
Same negligence exists—universities and nationals fail to stop hazing until someone gets hurt.
Same legal strategies apply—we’re using the same approach for Dunklin County victims.

🔴 Case 2: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha) – $10.1 Million Settlement

  • Hazing: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
  • Result: Death from alcohol poisoning
  • Outcome: $10.1 million settlement (university + fraternity)

🔴 Case 3: Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta) – $6.1 Million Jury Verdict

  • Hazing: “Bible Study” drinking game—wrong answers = drink more
  • Result: Death (BAC 0.495—6x legal limit)
  • Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict

🔴 Case 4: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi) – $110+ Million Settlement

  • Hazing: “The Gauntlet” – 18 drinks in 82 minutes
  • Result: Fell down stairs, died from traumatic brain injury
  • Outcome: $110+ million settlement

These cases prove: Hazing lawsuits win. The same results are possible for Dunklin County families.

⚖️ Missouri Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

📜 Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360 – Hazing is a Crime

  • Misdemeanor if no serious injury
  • Felony if hazing causes serious physical injury or death
  • Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate

🏛️ Civil Lawsuits for Hazing in Dunklin County

You can sue for:
Medical bills (past and future)
Lost wages (if your child missed work/school)
Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)

⏳ Missouri Statute of Limitations

  • Personal injury: 5 years from date of injury
  • Wrongful death: 3 years from date of death

⚠️ Don’t wait—evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

📞 What to Do Next: Contact Attorney 911

📅 Free, Confidential Consultation

  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for Dunklin County hazing emergencies)
  • Email: ralph@atty911.com
  • Video consultation available—we come to you (or meet remotely)

💼 No Upfront Cost – We Only Get Paid If You Win

  • $0 out of pocket—we work on contingency
  • No risk to you—if we don’t win, you owe us nothing

🏆 We Fight for Dunklin County Families

  • Aggressive representation—we don’t back down from fraternities or universities
  • Nationwide reach—we serve hazing victims across Missouri and the U.S.
  • Bilingual staff—Se habla español

🚨 Dunklin County Parents: This Is a Legal Emergency

Hazing isn’t “tradition.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter.

If your child was hazed in Dunklin County or at a nearby university, you have legal rights. You have the power to hold them accountable. And you don’t have to do it alone.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

We will fight for your family like we’re fighting in court right now.

Enough is enough.

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