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Morgan County (Earth/North America/United States/Missouri/Morgan County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $50M+ in National Hazing Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 β€” The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 16 min read
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🚨 Hazing Victims in Morgan County, Missouri β€” You Have Rights. We Can Help.

If your child was hazed in Morgan County, Missouri, or anywhere in America, Attorney 911 is fighting for justice β€” and we can fight for you too.

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles β€” resulting in rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital because of what they did to him.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening in Missouri. It’s happening at universities near Morgan County. And it needs to stop.

πŸ›οΈ The Hazing Crisis in Missouri and Near Morgan County

Hazing isn’t just a problem in other states β€” it’s happening right here in Missouri, including at universities near Morgan County. While we don’t have specific reports of hazing incidents in Morgan County itself, we know that national fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others operate at universities across Missouri, including:

  • University of Missouri (Mizzou) β€” Columbia, MO (approximately 150 miles from Morgan County)
  • Missouri State University β€” Springfield, MO (approximately 200 miles from Morgan County)
  • University of Central Missouri β€” Warrensburg, MO (approximately 130 miles from Morgan County)
  • Truman State University β€” Kirksville, MO (approximately 180 miles from Morgan County)
  • Southeast Missouri State University β€” Cape Girardeau, MO (approximately 250 miles from Morgan County)
  • Lindenwood University β€” St. Charles, MO (approximately 200 miles from Morgan County)

These institutions, like universities nationwide, have Greek organizations where hazing occurs. The same national fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas have chapters at Missouri universities near Morgan County.

πŸ’” What Hazing Really Looks Like β€” The Case That Shows Missouri Families What’s at Stake

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was a “ghost rush” β€” a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. He was expected to transfer for the upcoming semester. Despite not being a student, Pi Kappa Phi subjected him to weeks of systematic abuse, including:

πŸ”₯ Physical Torture:

  • Waterboarding with a garden hose β€” simulated drowning, a form of torture
  • 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls β€” until he collapsed from exhaustion
  • Struck with wooden paddles β€” physical assault with weapons
  • Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather β€” exposure to the elements

🀒 Forced Consumption:

  • Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
  • Forced to continue running sprints while vomiting
  • Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass

😨 Psychological Abuse:

  • Carried a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times β€” humiliation and degradation
  • Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
  • Threatened with physical punishment and expulsion if he didn’t comply

πŸƒ Exhaustion and Sleep Deprivation:

  • Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours β€” leading to chronic exhaustion
  • Late-night hazing sessions β€” disrupting sleep and recovery

πŸ₯ The Result:

After being forced to do 500 squats and other extreme exercises on November 3, 2025, Bermudez became so exhausted he could not stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he was “really sore and couldn’t really move.” The day after that, his condition worsened. On November 6, his mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.

βš–οΈ Missouri Hazing Laws β€” Know Your Rights

Missouri, like Texas, has strict laws against hazing, and victims have legal rights. Under Missouri Revised Statutes Β§ 578.360, hazing is defined 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 operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education.”

πŸ“œ Missouri’s Anti-Hazing Law:

  • Hazing is a Class A Misdemeanor in Missouri
  • If hazing causes serious physical injury, it becomes a Class D Felony
  • If hazing causes death, it becomes a Class C Felony
  • Consent is NOT a defense β€” even if a student “agreed” to participate, it’s still illegal

πŸ›οΈ Civil Liability in Missouri:

Missouri victims of hazing can also file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Punitive damages (in cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm)

Universities, national fraternities, and individual members can all be held liable in civil court.

πŸ’° What Missouri Hazing Victims Can Recover β€” Multi-Million Dollar Precedents

Hazing cases across the country have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These precedents show that Missouri families can recover substantial compensation for hazing injuries:

πŸ† Precedent Cases β€” They Will Pay:

Case University Fraternity Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Bowling Green State (Ohio) Pi Kappa Alpha Settlement $10.1 million
Maxwell Gruver Louisiana State Phi Delta Theta Jury Verdict $6.1 million
Timothy Piazza Penn State Beta Theta Pi Settlement $110+ million (estimated)
Andrew Coffey Florida State Pi Kappa Phi Settlement Confidential (major)
Adam Oakes Virginia Commonwealth Delta Chi Settlement $4+ million

Our $10 million demand for Leonel Bermudez is directly in line with these precedents. Missouri families deserve the same aggressive representation and the same potential for justice.

πŸ“‹ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Missouri or Near Morgan County

If your child has been hazed at a university in Missouri or near Morgan County, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims β€” but you should act immediately to preserve your rights.

βœ… Immediate Steps for Missouri Families:

  1. Get Medical Attention

    • Even if your child seems “fine,” some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately
    • Document all symptoms and medical treatment
  2. Preserve Evidence

    • Save all text messages, social media posts, and group chats related to hazing
    • Take photos/videos of any injuries, hazing locations, or physical evidence
    • Document witness names and contact information
    • Save any pledge manuals, schedules, or fraternity communications
  3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers Without Legal Counsel

    • They will try to minimize the incident and shift blame
    • Anything your child says can be used against them
  4. Do NOT Post on Social Media

    • Avoid posting about the incident, injuries, or recovery
    • Avoid posting photos that could be misinterpreted (e.g., party photos)
  5. Report the Incident (Optional but Recommended)

    • Consider filing a police report (hazing is a crime in Missouri)
    • Consider filing a Title IX report with the university
    • Consult with an attorney before making any official statements
  6. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

    • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
    • We serve hazing victims nationwide, including Missouri and Morgan County
    • No upfront cost β€” we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)

🎯 Why Missouri Families Choose Attorney 911

πŸ”Ή We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit

We are not just talking about hazing β€” we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case right now. Missouri families get the same aggressive representation.

πŸ”Ή Former Insurance Defense Attorneys β€” We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims. We know exactly how they will try to deny or minimize your claim β€” and we know how to fight back.

πŸ”Ή Federal Court Authority β€” We Can Pursue Cases Nationwide

We are admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and have experience in federal litigation. This means we can pursue hazing cases anywhere in America, including Missouri.

πŸ”Ή Dual-State Bar Admission β€” Strategic Advantage

Ralph Manginello is licensed in Texas and New York. This gives us strategic flexibility when pursuing national fraternities headquartered in different states.

πŸ”Ή We Will Travel to Missouri for Your Case

Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to Missouri for depositions, trials, and client meetings. We come to you.

πŸ”Ή Se Habla EspaΓ±ol β€” Bilingual Representation for Missouri Families

We provide bilingual legal services in Spanish and English. Language should never be a barrier to justice.

πŸ”Ή Contingency Fee Representation β€” $0 Upfront

We understand that Missouri families may be concerned about legal costs. We take hazing cases on contingency β€” you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

🏒 Universities Near Morgan County, Missouri β€” We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating at universities near Morgan County, Missouri:

We are watching. We are coming.

  • Pi Kappa Phi β€” You waterboarded our client in Texas. You have chapters at Missouri universities. Your Missouri chapters could be next.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma β€” If your Missouri chapters are hazing students, we will find out.
  • University of Missouri, Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri, Truman State, Southeast Missouri State, Lindenwood University β€” If you own fraternity houses where hazing occurs, you are liable.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your Missouri chapters.

πŸ“ž Morgan County, Missouri Families β€” Call Us Now

If your child has been hazed in Missouri or near Morgan County, you are not alone. We can help.

🚨 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

We offer:

  • Free, confidential consultations for Missouri hazing victims
  • Video consultations for families who cannot travel
  • Immediate evidence preservation to protect your case
  • Aggressive litigation against universities, fraternities, and individuals
  • Nationwide representation β€” we serve Missouri families no matter where the hazing occurred

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Statutes of limitations expire. Call us now.

πŸ’¬ What Missouri Families Are Saying About Attorney 911

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” β€” Dame Haskett

“They treated me with honesty and respect from the very beginning. I was able to trust the firm to advocate for me.” β€” Debra Cambric-Chisolm

“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.” β€” 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.” β€” Chad Harris

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Missouri Hazing Victims

❓ Can I sue if my child was hazed in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri law allows victims of hazing to file civil lawsuits against fraternities, universities, and individuals responsible for the abuse.

❓ What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Missouri’s anti-hazing law applies to activities on or off campus. If hazing occurred at a private residence, the homeowners may also be liable.

❓ What if my child “consented” to the hazing?

Consent is NOT a defense in Missouri. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still considers hazing illegal. The fraternity and university are still liable.

❓ What if the fraternity is already suspended or closed?

You can still sue. Closing a chapter does not absolve the national organization or university of liability. In fact, it may show they knew about the problem and tried to cover it up.

❓ What if the university claims they didn’t know about the hazing?

They are likely lying. Universities have a duty to oversee Greek life and student organizations. If hazing occurred, they either knew or should have known.

❓ How much can I recover in a Missouri hazing lawsuit?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts across the country. Our current case seeks $10 million for a victim who survived but suffered serious injuries.

❓ What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We protect our clients. We understand the fear of retaliation and will take steps to ensure your child’s safety and privacy. Many hazing victims are afraid to come forward β€” we will support you every step of the way.

❓ What is the statute of limitations for hazing in Missouri?

Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including hazing. However, you should act immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

❓ Can I afford a hazing attorney?

Yes. We take hazing cases on contingency β€” you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Missouri families pay $0 unless we recover compensation for you.

❓ What if the hazing happened at a university near Morgan County, but not in Morgan County itself?

We can still help. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including at universities near Morgan County like University of Missouri, Missouri State, and others. Distance is not a barrier.

❓ What if my child was hazed but not physically injured?

You may still have a case. Hazing often causes psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These injuries are just as real and compensable as physical injuries.

❓ What if my child was hazed at a high school in Missouri?

We handle hazing cases at all levels, including high schools. Missouri’s anti-hazing law applies to high school organizations as well.

πŸ† Our Commitment to Missouri Families

At Attorney 911, we don’t just handle hazing cases β€” we fight against the culture of abuse that allows hazing to happen. We are committed to:

  • Justice for Missouri victims β€” Holding every responsible party accountable
  • Prevention for Missouri students β€” Sending a message that hazing will not be tolerated
  • Support for Missouri families β€” Guiding you through every step of the legal process
  • Change for Missouri institutions β€” Forcing universities and fraternities to implement real safeguards

Missouri families: You are not alone. We are here to help. Call us now.

🚨 Enough is enough. If your child was hazed in Missouri or near Morgan County, call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

Free consultation. No upfront cost. We fight for you.

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