Hazing Injury Lawyers in Chouteau County, Montana – Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable
Chouteau County Families: Your Child Was Hazed. We Can Help.
If your son or daughter was injured in a fraternity hazing incident in Chouteau County, Montana, or at a nearby university, you’re not alone. Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse, and it’s illegal. The same national fraternities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate right here in Montana.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that fraternities and universities can and will be held accountable. We bring that same aggressive, data-driven approach to Chouteau County families.
📞 Call Now for a Free Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 – We serve Chouteau County and all of Montana)
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Chouteau County & Montana
Hazing isn’t just happening in Texas or the South—it’s happening right here in Montana. The same fraternities that have been sued for torture, forced drinking, and life-threatening injuries have chapters at universities near Chouteau County, including:
- Montana State University (Bozeman) – Home to multiple fraternities, including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), and others with documented hazing histories.
- University of Montana (Missoula) – Greek life is active, and hazing incidents have been reported in the past.
- Montana Tech (Butte) – Smaller but still has Greek organizations with hazing risks.
- Rocky Mountain College (Billings) – Private college with Greek life presence.
These organizations have paid millions in settlements for hazing nationwide. If your child was hazed in Chouteau County or anywhere in Montana, we can help.
💔 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Montana)
Hazing is any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. In Montana, hazing is a criminal offense under Montana Code § 45-5-627, and victims can sue for damages.
Common Hazing Activities That Can Lead to Lawsuits:
✅ Forced alcohol consumption (binge drinking, “drink until you puke”)
✅ Extreme physical punishment (500 squats, bear crawls, paddling)
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this happens—we’re suing over it now)
✅ Sleep deprivation & exhaustion (forced late-night activities, early-morning workouts)
✅ Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, carrying sexual objects)
✅ Forced eating until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns, non-food items)
✅ Sexual assault or harassment (forced nudity, inappropriate touching)
✅ Branding, burning, or physical abuse (permanent injuries)
✅ Confinement or isolation (locked in small spaces, blindfolded)
If your child experienced any of these, they may have a case.
⚖️ Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Chouteau County?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held liable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example from Our $10M Case |
|---|---|---|
| Local Fraternity Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu (UH) – forced 500 squats, waterboarding |
| National Fraternity Organization | Failed to supervise chapters despite knowing about hazing | Pi Kappa Phi National – knew about “hazing crisis” but did nothing |
| University/College | Owned fraternity house, failed to stop hazing despite prior incidents | University of Houston – owned the house where torture occurred |
| Individual Members | Participated in or facilitated hazing | Named defendants in our lawsuit (president, pledgemaster, etc.) |
| Alumni or Former Members | Hosted hazing at their homes | Former member + spouse named in our lawsuit |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for fraternities and universities | We know how to pursue these policies |
We don’t just sue broke college students—we go after the institutions with deep pockets.
💰 How Much Is a Hazing Lawsuit Worth?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation, including:
| Type of Damage | What It Covers | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | $100,000 – $1M+ |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse | $200,000 – $2M+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or school | $20,000 – $200,000 |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding) | $1M – $5M+ per defendant |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing resulted in death | $1M – $10M+ |
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Chouteau County Families Can Expect)
| Case | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1M |
| Maxwell Gruver (LSU) | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza (Penn State) | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110M+ |
| Our Current Case (UH) | Pi Kappa Phi | Pending | $10M Demand |
These results are possible for Chouteau County families.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Chouteau County
✅ Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
- Medical records are critical evidence for your case.
✅ Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Photos/Videos: Injuries, hazing locations, items used (paddles, hoses, etc.).
- Texts/Group Chats: Screenshots of messages about hazing.
- Social Media: Posts, DMs, or stories related to the incident.
- Witnesses: Names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders.
- Medical Records: Hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records.
⚠️ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts.
- Talk to the fraternity, university, or their lawyers without an attorney.
- Sign anything from the organization.
- Post about the incident on social media.
✅ Step 3: Contact a Hazing Injury Lawyer Immediately
- Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims—don’t wait.
- Evidence disappears quickly (texts deleted, witnesses forget).
- Fraternities and universities will try to cover it up—we know their tactics.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
🏆 Why Chouteau County Families Choose Attorney 911
✔️ We’re Already Fighting a $10M Hazing Case
- We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for hazing that hospitalized a student.
- The same fraternities operate in Montana—we know how to take them down.
✔️ Former Insurance Defense Lawyers – We Know Their Tricks
- Both of our attorneys used to defend insurance companies—we know how they try to deny claims.
- We use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.
✔️ Nationwide Reach – We Serve Chouteau County & All of Montana
- Based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Chouteau County.
- Federal court authority – We can sue in federal court if needed.
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York) – Strategic advantage against national fraternities.
- We travel to Montana for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
✔️ No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee – We only get paid if we win your case.
- $0 out of pocket – No retainer, no hourly fees.
- Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost.
✔️ Bilingual Representation (Se Habla Español)
- We serve Spanish-speaking families in Chouteau County.
- No language barriers to justice.
✔️ Aggressive, Compassionate Advocates
- We treat your child like family, not just a case.
- We fight hard—because we’ve seen what hazing does to kids.
📢 What Chouteau County Parents Need to Know
1. “My Child Consented to Hazing” – Is That a Defense?
NO. Montana law (and most state laws) explicitly say consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.
2. “The Fraternity Says It Was Just a Prank”
Hazing is not a prank—it’s assault, battery, and sometimes torture. If your child was injured, it’s not funny, and it’s not legal.
3. “The University Claims They Didn’t Know”
Universities absolutely know hazing happens—they just choose to ignore it until someone gets hurt or killed. We prove they should have known and failed to act.
4. “I’m Afraid of Retaliation”
We understand. Many hazing victims are threatened or intimidated into silence. We protect our clients and ensure their safety.
5. “This Happened Months Ago – Is It Too Late?”
Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Act now—evidence disappears, and memories fade.
🎯 Fraternities Near Chouteau County with Hazing Histories
| Fraternity | Universities Near Chouteau County | Notable Hazing Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Montana State University (Bozeman) | Our $10M lawsuit (UH); Andrew Coffey death (FSU) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | MSU, UM | Multiple hazing lawsuits; chemical burns case (Texas A&M) |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | MSU, UM | Stone Foltz death ($10.1M settlement); David Bogenberger death ($14M) |
| Beta Theta Pi | MSU, UM | Timothy Piazza death ($110M+ settlement) |
| Phi Delta Theta | MSU, UM | Maxwell Gruver death ($6.1M verdict) |
| Sigma Chi | MSU, UM | Recent lawsuit at UT Austin (2025) |
If your child was hazed by any of these fraternities in Chouteau County or nearby, we can help.
📞 Call Now – Free Consultation for Chouteau County Families
📍 Serving Chouteau County, Montana & Nationwide
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
What Happens When You Call?
- Free, confidential case evaluation – No obligation.
- We listen to your story – We understand what you’re going through.
- Immediate action plan – We start preserving evidence right away.
- No upfront costs – You pay nothing unless we win.
Chouteau County families: Don’t let them get away with this. Call now.
🔥 Warning to Fraternities Operating Near Chouteau County
To Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, and all other fraternities with chapters in Montana:
We are watching. We know your history. We know your playbook.
- Pi Kappa Phi paid millions after Andrew Coffey’s death—and now we’re suing them again for waterboarding a student at UH.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon has multiple hazing lawsuits, including a chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
- Pi Kappa Alpha paid $10.1 million after Stone Foltz’s death.
- Beta Theta Pi paid $110 million after Timothy Piazza’s death.
If your Montana chapter is hazing students, we will find out. And we will sue you for everything you’ve got.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. The same will happen to your chapter if you don’t clean up your act.
🏛️ Universities in Montana: You Are Liable for Hazing
To Montana State University, University of Montana, Montana Tech, Rocky Mountain College, and all other Montana schools:
You own the fraternity houses. You recognize the chapters. You collect the dues. You have the power to stop hazing—but you choose not to.
- University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where a student was waterboarded.
- Penn State was sued for $110 million after Timothy Piazza’s death.
- LSU paid $6.1 million after Maxwell Gruver’s death.
If hazing happens on your campus, you will be sued. And you will pay.
📜 Montana Hazing Laws – Know Your Rights
Montana Code § 45-5-627 – Hazing
(1) A person commits the offense of hazing if the person knowingly or negligently endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization at a school, college, or university.
(2) Consent is not a defense to hazing.
(3) Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine.
Civil Liability in Montana
Victims can sue for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (if conduct was intentional or reckless)
- Wrongful death (if hazing resulted in death)
Universities and fraternities can be held liable for failing to prevent hazing.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Chouteau County Families
Q: My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Do we still have a case?
A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered emotional distress, PTSD, or other harm that warrants compensation.
Q: The fraternity says it was “just a tradition.” Is that a defense?
A: No. “Tradition” does not justify illegal, dangerous, or abusive behavior. If it causes harm, it’s hazing.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it was part of fraternity activities, they can be held liable.
Q: What if my child was drinking? Does that mean they can’t sue?
A: No. Even if alcohol was involved, forced consumption is still hazing. Fraternities cannot use “voluntary drinking” as a defense.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Montana?
A: Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Act now—evidence disappears, and memories fade.
Q: Will my child have to testify in court?
A: Most cases settle before trial. If it does go to trial, we prepare our clients thoroughly and support them every step of the way.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee—you pay nothing unless we win.
🚨 Chouteau County Parents: Act Now Before It’s Too Late
Hazing cases lose value every day that evidence isn’t preserved. Fraternities and universities will try to cover it up. Witnesses will forget. Texts will be deleted.
You have one chance to get justice for your child. Don’t wait.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Serving Chouteau County, Montana & Nationwide