Hazing Victims in Washington County, Missouri: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
You Are Not Alone — Hazing Happens in Washington County Too
If you or your child has been hazed at a college, university, fraternity, sorority, sports team, or any student organization near Washington County, Missouri, you need to know: this is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is abuse. And you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston — a case that has exposed waterboarding, forced eating until vomiting, 500 squats leading to kidney failure, and systematic abuse disguised as “initiation.” The same fraternities operate near Washington County. The same universities fail to protect students. And we will fight for Washington County families with the same relentless commitment.
If this happened to your child near Washington County, we can help.
🚨 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Missouri)
Hazing is any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
Common Hazing Activities (That Are Illegal in Missouri):
✅ Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, non-food substances (until vomiting or passing out)
✅ Psychological torture — humiliation, sleep deprivation, threats of expulsion
✅ Waterboarding/simulated drowning — yes, this happens in Missouri too
✅ Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
✅ Extreme servitude — forced to clean, drive members, run errands
Missouri law (RSMo § 578.360) makes hazing a crime. If hazing causes serious physical injury or death, it can be charged as a felony. Even if no criminal charges are filed, you can still sue for damages.
💔 Real Cases, Real Consequences — This Happens Near Washington County
Case 1: Pi Kappa Phi at University of Houston (2025) — $10M Lawsuit
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not even a UH student yet — “ghost rush”)
- Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, forced eating until vomiting, wooden paddles
- Result: Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure — hospitalized for 4 days
- Our Lawsuit: $10 million against fraternity, national organization, and University of Houston (who owned the fraternity house)
- Status: Active litigation — we are fighting this right now
Why This Matters to Washington County Families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters near Washington County (including at universities like Missouri S&T, Southeast Missouri State, and others)
- Universities near Washington County own fraternity houses — they have the same liability as UH
- The same “traditions” exist at Washington County schools — forced drinking, physical abuse, psychological torture
Case 2: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, 2021) — $10.1M Settlement
- Victim: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
- Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
- Outcome: $10.1 million settlement against university and fraternity
Case 3: Maxwell Gruver (LSU, 2017) — $6.1M Jury Verdict
- Victim: Forced drinking during “Bible Study” pledge event
- Result: BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit) — died
- Outcome: $6.1 million jury verdict — fraternity member convicted of negligent homicide
Case 4: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017) — $110M+ Settlement
- Victim: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes
- Result: Fell down stairs repeatedly, fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911
- Outcome: $110+ million settlement — 18 fraternity members criminally charged
These cases prove one thing: Hazing victims and families WIN. And Washington County families can win too.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Washington County?
If your child was hazed near Washington County, Missouri, we can sue:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity house |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Former Members/Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes |
| Spouses of Members | Allowed hazing on their property |
| Insurance Companies | Policies may cover damages |
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National (for failing to stop hazing despite knowing about “a hazing crisis”)
✔ University of Houston (for owning the fraternity house where hazing occurred)
✔ Chapter Officers (for organizing the hazing)
✔ Individual Members (for participating)
✔ Former Members & Spouses (for hosting hazing at their home)
The same liability applies to Washington County cases.
💰 What Compensation Can Washington County Hazing Victims Recover?
Hazing victims can recover economic and non-economic damages, including:
| Type of Damage | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships |
| Future Earning Capacity | If injuries affect career prospects |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from hazing (e.g., broken bones, rhabdomyolysis) |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse |
| Emotional Distress | Humiliation, shame, loss of trust |
| Punitive Damages | Additional money to punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced drinking) |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:
- $110+ million (Penn State)
- $10.1 million (Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million (LSU)
- $4+ million (Virginia Commonwealth)
Washington County families can recover similar compensation.
⚖️ Missouri Hazing Laws — What You Need to Know
Missouri Revised Statutes § 578.360 — Hazing is a Crime
- Misdemeanor: Hazing that creates a substantial risk of physical injury → up to 1 year in jail, $2,000 fine
- Felony: Hazing that causes serious physical injury or death → up to 7 years in prison
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter.
Civil Lawsuits for Hazing in Missouri
Even if no criminal charges are filed, you can still sue for damages. Missouri law allows victims to file personal injury lawsuits against:
- The individuals who hazed them
- The fraternity/sorority chapter
- The national organization
- The university (if they failed to protect students)
Statute of Limitations in Missouri:
- Personal Injury: 5 years from date of injury
- Wrongful Death: 3 years from date of death
But don’t wait — evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights weaken over time.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed Near Washington County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away
- Medical records are critical evidence
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✔ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or hazing activities
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts about hazing
✔ Names and contact info of witnesses (other pledges, bystanders)
✔ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records)
✔ Any pledge manuals, schedules, or rules given to your child
Do NOT:
❌ Delete any messages or posts
❌ Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without a lawyer
❌ Sign anything from the organization
❌ Post about the incident on social media
Step 3: Report the Hazing
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in Missouri)
- Report to the university (Title IX office, student conduct)
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority (if applicable)
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately
- The sooner you call, the stronger your case
- We can preserve evidence before it disappears
- We can prevent the organization from intimidating witnesses
- We can file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires
📞 Why Washington County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now
- We are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- We know exactly how these cases work — and how to win
- Washington County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Both of our attorneys used to defend insurance companies
- We know how they try to minimize claims
- We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation
3. Nationwide Reach — We Can Help Washington County Families Anywhere
- Based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve clients nationwide
- Federal court authority — we can sue in federal court if needed
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York) — strategic advantage for national fraternities
- We travel to Washington County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
4. No Upfront Costs — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee — we only get paid if you win
- No hourly fees, no retainers
- Washington County families pay $0 upfront
5. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Many hazing victims are international students or from Spanish-speaking families
- We provide bilingual legal services — no language barriers
6. We Care About Washington County Families
- We’ve seen what hazing does to kids
- We’re not just fighting for money — we’re fighting for justice
- We want to stop this from happening to other Washington County families
🎯 What Makes Our Firm Different for Washington County Hazing Cases?
| Factor | Other Firms | Attorney 911 |
|---|---|---|
| Hazing Experience | May have general personal injury experience | Actively litigating $10M hazing case right now |
| Insurance Knowledge | May not know how to fight insurers | Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their tricks |
| National Reach | May only handle local cases | Federal court authority — can sue anywhere |
| Language Access | May not speak Spanish | Se habla español — no language barriers |
| Payment | May require upfront fees | $0 upfront — you pay nothing unless we win |
| Passion | May treat it as just another case | We care — we want to stop hazing for good |
📢 Message to Fraternities Near Washington County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, and every other fraternity operating near Washington County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
If your chapter is hazing students near Washington County, we will find out.
If your national organization is failing to supervise, we will sue you.
If your university is ignoring the problem, they will pay too.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
🏆 Our Track Record — We Get Results for Hazing Victims
| Case | Result |
|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi (UH) Hazing | $10M lawsuit filed — active litigation |
| Kappa Sigma Hazing (Texas A&M) | Multi-million dollar settlement |
| Rhabdomyolysis Injury (Texas A&M) | Confidential settlement |
| Wrongful Death (Various) | Multiple 7-figure settlements |
We don’t just talk about hazing — we fight it in court.
📞 Washington County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child was hazed near Washington County, Missouri, call us immediately.
🚨 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultation
✔ Video consultations for Washington County families who can’t travel
✔ Aggressive representation — we don’t back down from fraternities or universities
✔ No upfront costs — you pay nothing unless we win
Don’t wait — the clock is ticking. Call now.
💬 What Washington County Families Are Saying About Us
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz
“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.” — Chad Harris
“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way.” — Kiwi Potato
Washington County families get the same care and attention.
🎓 Universities Near Washington County Where Hazing Occurs
Washington County is home to several colleges and universities where Greek life thrives. The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta — have active chapters at schools near Washington County, including:
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) | Rolla, MO (~45 min from Washington County) | Strong Greek system; multiple fraternities/sororities |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO (~1.5 hours from Washington County) | Active Greek life with fraternities and sororities |
| Lindenwood University | St. Charles, MO (~1.5 hours from Washington County) | Multiple fraternities and sororities |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) | Columbia, MO (~2 hours from Washington County) | Large Greek system; known for high-profile hazing cases |
| Southern Illinois University (SIU) | Carbondale, IL (~1.5 hours from Washington County) | Active Greek life with reported hazing incidents |
If your child attends or pledges at any of these schools, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
🚫 Common Defenses Fraternities Use — And Why They Fail
Fraternities and universities will try to blame the victim. Don’t let them.
| Their Defense | Our Counter-Argument |
|---|---|
| “He consented to participate.” | Missouri law says consent is NOT a defense. Hazing is illegal regardless of “agreement.” |
| “It’s just tradition.” | Tradition doesn’t justify abuse. If it’s illegal, it’s illegal. |
| “He could have left at any time.” | Victims face social ostracism, threats, and fear of retaliation. Duress negates “consent.” |
| “The university didn’t know.” | Universities own fraternity houses. They have a duty to inspect and regulate. |
| “It was just a prank.” | Waterboarding, forced drinking, 500 squats — this is not a prank. This is torture. |
📅 Statute of Limitations in Missouri — Don’t Wait!
| Claim Type | Deadline | What Happens If You Miss It? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 5 years from date of injury | You lose your right to sue forever. |
| Wrongful Death | 3 years from date of death | You lose your right to sue forever. |
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Don’t let the fraternity destroy your case.
🎯 Our Promise to Washington County Families
- We will listen to your story — no judgment, no pressure.
- We will investigate aggressively — gather evidence, interview witnesses, build your case.
- We will fight for maximum compensation — medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
- We will hold every responsible party accountable — fraternity, university, individuals.
- We will protect your rights — no intimidation, no bullying from institutions.
Washington County families deserve justice. Let’s get it for you.
📞 Call Now — Free, Confidential Consultation
🚨 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
Serving Washington County, Missouri and nationwide.
You pay nothing unless we win.
