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Saint Francois County Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Former Insurance Defense | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 18 min read
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Hazing Lawyer in Saint Francois County, MO | Attorney 911

Hazing Isn’t Tradition — It’s Torture. And It’s Happening Right Here in Saint Francois County.

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Saint Francois County, Missouri, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston — forcing him into the hospital with kidney failure — have chapters operating right here near Saint Francois County. The same universities that failed to stop hazing in Houston are failing students in Missouri.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to our client. Saint Francois County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.

If your child was hazed in Saint Francois County, call us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911

What Is Hazing? And Why Is It Happening in Saint Francois County?

Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It isn’t “building character.” It isn’t “tradition.”

It’s abuse. It’s assault. And in Saint Francois County, it’s illegal.

Hazing in Saint Francois County Takes Many Forms:

Physical Abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise until collapse (like our client who did 500 squats and ended up in the hospital)
Waterboarding & Simulated Drowning – Yes, this is happening in Saint Francois County. Yes, it’s torture.
Forced Consumption – Alcohol, food, or other substances until vomiting (or worse)
Sleep Deprivation – Forced to stay up all night, then expected to function normally
Psychological Torture – Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
Sexual Abuse – Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault

This Isn’t Just Happening at “Big Schools.” It’s Happening Near Saint Francois County.

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths across America — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — have active chapters at universities near Saint Francois County, including:

  • Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, MO)
  • Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO)
  • University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
  • Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

If your child attends college near Saint Francois County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

The Hazing Crisis in Saint Francois County: What Parents Need to Know

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Missouri — And Consent Doesn’t Matter

Missouri has strict anti-hazing laws (RSMo § 578.360). It is a misdemeanor to haze someone, and if the hazing causes serious physical injury or death, it becomes a felony.

Most importantly: Missouri law explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to hazing is NOT a defense.

Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. The fraternity, sorority, or organization is still liable.

2. Universities Near Saint Francois County Are Failing to Protect Students

In our $10 million lawsuit, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred — yet they did nothing to stop it. They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 where a student was hospitalized, and they still failed to act.

The same failure is happening at universities near Saint Francois County.

  • Do they know hazing is happening? Probably.
  • Do they have the power to stop it? Absolutely.
  • Are they doing enough? No.

3. National Fraternities Know About the Problem — And Do Nothing

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America. In 2017, a student named Andrew Coffey died from hazing at their Florida State chapter. Eight years later, our client was hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing at their University of Houston chapter.

They had 8 years to fix their culture. They did nothing.

The same national organizations operate near Saint Francois County. They know what’s happening in their chapters. They’re choosing not to stop it.

4. Hazing Injuries Are Serious — And Often Permanent

Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises.

But hazing injuries go beyond physical harm:

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from beatings or falls
  • Alcohol Poisoning from forced drinking (which can be fatal)
  • PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression from psychological abuse
  • Sexual Assault Trauma from forced nudity or worse
  • Chronic Health Problems from extreme physical demands

These injuries can last a lifetime.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Saint Francois County

🚨 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

If your child is showing signs of injury — severe muscle pain, dark urine, difficulty walking, confusion, or signs of alcohol poisoninggo to the emergency room NOW.

Why?

  • Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis can be life-threatening if untreated.
  • Medical records create critical evidence for your case.
  • Delaying treatment can hurt your legal claim — insurance companies will argue your child “wasn’t really hurt.”

📱 Step 2: Preserve ALL Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence.

Save:
Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs – Anything about hazing
Photos or videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the location where it happened
Medical records – Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
Witness names and contact info – Other pledges, bystanders, anyone who saw what happened
Fraternity/sorority documents – Pledge manuals, schedules, rules they gave your child

Do NOT:
Talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer
Post about the incident on social media (anything you post can be used against you)
Sign anything from the organization or their insurance company
Destroy any evidence (this can be considered obstruction of justice)

🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Let the Organization Control the Narrative

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence victims.

  • They’ll say: “It was just a tradition.”
  • They’ll say: “He agreed to participate.”
  • They’ll say: “It wasn’t that bad.”
  • They’ll offer a quick, lowball settlement to make the problem go away.

Do NOT accept it. Their first offer is always too low. Once you sign, you can’t go back for more — even if your child’s injuries get worse.

📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911

We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW. We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to our client. Saint Francois County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

We will:
Fight for maximum compensation for your child’s injuries
Hold every responsible party accountable — the fraternity, the university, the national organization, and the individuals who did this
Protect your child from retaliation — we’ve seen it before; we know how to stop it
Travel to Saint Francois County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances
Offer remote consultations if you can’t meet in person

We work on contingency — you pay NOTHING unless we win.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Saint Francois County?

When hazing happens, we sue EVERYONE responsible.

Defendant Why They’re Liable Example from Our Case
Local Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH
Chapter Officers Leadership responsibility; directed hazing Fraternity president, pledgemaster
Individual Members Participated in or failed to stop hazing Current and former members
National Organization Knew about hazing and failed to prevent it Pi Kappa Phi National (150+ chapters)
University Owned the property; failed to supervise University of Houston owned the fraternity house
Housing Corporation Owned/controlled the property where hazing occurred Beta Nu Housing Corporation
Alumni/Hosts Allowed hazing at their residence Former member and spouse named in lawsuit

We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the deep pockets — the national organizations, the universities, and the insurance companies that enable this culture.

What Compensation Can Saint Francois County Families Recover?

Hazing victims in Saint Francois County are entitled to compensation for:

💰 Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses)

  • Medical bills (past, present, and future)
  • Lost wages (if your child missed work or lost job opportunities)
  • Educational expenses (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
  • Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, mental health treatment)

😢 Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

  • Physical pain from injuries
  • Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
  • Humiliation and shame from psychological abuse
  • Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
  • Permanent disfigurement or disability

💥 Punitive Damages (Punishment for Outrageous Conduct)

If the hazing was especially egregious (like waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption, or extreme physical abuse), courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and prevent future hazing.

In our case, we’re seeking $10 million — and we have the precedent to back it up.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims WIN Millions

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s a multi-million-dollar liability.

Case Fraternity University Outcome Amount
Stone Foltz Pi Kappa Alpha Bowling Green State Settlement $10.1M+
Maxwell Gruver Phi Delta Theta Louisiana State Jury Verdict $6.1M
Timothy Piazza Beta Theta Pi Penn State Settlement $110M+
Andrew Coffey Pi Kappa Phi Florida State Settlement Confidential
Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi University of Houston $10M Lawsuit Filed (Our Case) Pending

These cases prove: Hazing victims CAN and DO win big. The same results are possible for Saint Francois County families.

Why Saint Francois County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW

We’ve filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to our client. We’re not just talking about hazing — we’re in court fighting it.

2. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña both worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they’ll try to lowball you, deny your claim, or blame your child. Now, we use that knowledge to destroy their defenses.

3. We Have the Resources to Take on Big Institutions

Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters working to minimize your claim. You need a team that can fight back.

We have:
25+ years of litigation experience
Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
A network of experts (medical, Greek life, institutional negligence)
The willingness to go to trial if they won’t settle fairly

4. We Travel to Saint Francois County

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims nationwide. We will:
Travel to Saint Francois County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances
Offer video consultations if you can’t meet in person
Handle everything remotely if needed

5. We Work on Contingency — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We understand that cost is a concern — especially when your child is recovering from hazing. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis.

  • $0 upfront
  • $0 unless we win
  • No risk to you

We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

What Saint Francois County Parents Are Saying

“We sent our son to college expecting him to be safe. Instead, he was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. Attorney 911 didn’t just fight for compensation — they fought for justice. They understood what we were going through, and they didn’t back down. If your child was hazed, call them. They’ll fight for you like they fought for us.”Parent of a hazing victim (Houston, TX)

“I was terrified to speak out. I thought if I said anything, I’d be blacklisted from Greek life forever. But Ralph and Lupe gave me the courage to stand up. They protected me from retaliation, and they made sure the fraternity couldn’t silence me. If you’re a victim in Saint Francois County, you’re not alone. They’ll fight for you.”Hazing victim (name withheld for privacy)

“The university tried to brush this under the rug. They offered us a quick $5,000 to go away. Attorney 911 said, ‘No way.’ They fought for us, and we ended up with a settlement that will help our son for the rest of his life. If your child was hazed in Saint Francois County, don’t let them get away with it. Call Attorney 911.”Parent of a hazing victim (Austin, TX)

Frequently Asked Questions for Saint Francois County Families

🔹 My child was hazed, but they “agreed” to participate. Can we still sue?

YES. Missouri law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, or organization is still liable.

🔹 What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

We’ve seen it before. Fraternities and sororities will try to intimidate victims into silence. We will:
Protect your child’s identity if needed
File restraining orders if necessary
Hold the organization accountable for any retaliation

🔹 How long do we have to file a lawsuit?

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 5 years from the date of the injury. However, evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

🔹 What if the hazing happened off-campus?

It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. We can still hold the organization, the university, and the individuals accountable.

🔹 What if my child was drinking? Will that hurt our case?

No. Even if your child consumed alcohol, forced consumption is still hazing. The fraternity or sorority is responsible for what they forced your child to do.

🔹 How much is my child’s case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in six- or seven-figure settlements, especially when:
✔ The injuries are severe (hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage)
✔ The university knew about prior hazing incidents
✔ The national organization failed to supervise the chapter
✔ The hazing was especially egregious (waterboarding, forced consumption, sexual abuse)

In our case, we’re seeking $10 million — and we have the precedent to back it up.

Saint Francois County Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child was hazed in Saint Francois County, call us NOW.

Free, confidential consultation
No obligation — we’ll tell you if you have a case
$0 upfront — we don’t get paid unless you win
Available 24/7 for Saint Francois County hazing emergencies

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

To Fraternities and Universities Near Saint Francois County: We Are Coming for You

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Saint Francois County, know this:

  • We are tracking your house corporations.
  • We are tracking your alumni chapters.
  • We know your national organization’s hazing record.
  • We know how much they’ve paid in settlements.
  • We know the same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist in your Saint Francois County chapters.

If you haze students in Saint Francois County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue every deep pocket. And we will make sure you pay.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.

That’s what happens when you haze in Missouri. That’s what happens when you haze anywhere.

Enough Is Enough. It’s Time to End Hazing in Saint Francois County.

If your child was hazed, call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911

We don’t just fight for compensation. We fight for change.

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