Hazing Lawyers in Dawson County, Montana – Legal Help for Victims & Families

Dawson County Parents: Your Child Was Betrayed. We Can Help.

If your son or daughter was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in Dawson County, you’re not alone. The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases across America—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others—have active chapters at Montana colleges and universities. And the same abuse that hospitalized a student in Houston could be happening right here in Dawson County.

At Attorney 911, we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a pledge was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to hold fraternities, universities, and national organizations accountable—and we can do the same for Dawson County families.

You don’t have to stay silent. Justice is possible. Call us now for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

Why Dawson County Families Trust Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now – And Winning

We’re currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized after being waterboarded, forced to exercise until he collapsed, and struck with wooden paddles during Pi Kappa Phi hazing at the University of Houston. Our $10 million lawsuit is sending a message: Hazing is not tradition—it’s abuse, and it will be punished.

The same fraternities operate in Dawson County. If your child was hazed at a Montana university, we can pursue the same aggressive legal action.

2. We Know Dawson County’s Universities & Greek Life

While we’re based in Texas, we understand the landscape of higher education in Montana. Dawson County is home to students attending:

Montana State University – Billings (MSUB) – Just over 100 miles from Dawson County
University of Montana (UMT) – Major Greek life presence
Montana State University – Bozeman (MSU) – Large fraternity and sorority system
Community colleges and private institutions – Hazing occurs everywhere

These institutions have a duty to protect students. When they fail, we hold them accountable—just like we’re doing in our current case.

3. We’ve Beaten These Organizations Before

Our attorneys have decades of experience taking on powerful institutions—including fraternities, universities, and corporations. We know their playbook because:

Ralph Manginello is a former insurance defense attorney – He knows how fraternities and universities try to avoid liability.
Lupe Peña worked at a national defense firm – He understands how insurance companies minimize claims.
Together, they’ve recovered millions for injury victims, including those harmed by institutional negligence.

We don’t back down from bullies—whether they’re wearing Greek letters or a university logo.

4. We Serve Dawson County Families – No Matter Where You Are

We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Dawson County. Distance is not a barrier:

✅ Free video consultations – Meet with us from your Dawson County home
✅ We travel to you – For depositions, meetings, and court appearances
✅ Federal court authority – We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses – Texas and New York – allowing us to take on national organizations

If your child was hazed in Dawson County, we will fight for you.

5. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win

We understand that Dawson County families may hesitate to pursue legal action due to cost concerns. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:

$0 upfront – You pay nothing to hire us
No hourly fees – We don’t bill by the hour
We take the risk – If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
You keep the rest – After our fee is deducted from your settlement or verdict

This means Dawson County families can fight back without financial stress.

What Counts as Hazing in Dawson County?

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless fun.” Under Montana law and most university policies, hazing includes any activity that:

✔ Endangers physical or mental health – Forced exercise, sleep deprivation, extreme weather exposure
✔ Involves forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or injury
✔ Causes humiliation or degradation – Carrying sexual objects, public shaming, forced nudity
✔ Involves physical abuse – Paddling, beating, branding, or other violent acts
✔ Creates excessive fatigue – Forced late-night activities, driving members, sleep deprivation
✔ Violates criminal law – Assault, battery, sexual assault, or other illegal acts

Even if your child “consented,” Montana law says consent is NOT a defense. If your child was hazed, they have legal rights—and we can help enforce them.

Common Hazing Injuries We See in Dawson County Cases

Hazing often leads to serious, sometimes life-threatening injuries, including:

Injury	Cause	Long-Term Consequences
Rhabdomyolysis	Extreme physical exertion (500+ squats, bear crawls, etc.)	Kidney failure, permanent organ damage, death
Alcohol Poisoning	Forced binge drinking	Brain damage, coma, death
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)	Beatings, falls, or being struck with objects	Memory loss, cognitive impairment, permanent disability
Broken Bones	Paddling, physical assault	Chronic pain, limited mobility
Internal Bleeding	Blunt force trauma	Emergency surgery, organ damage
Hypothermia/Hyperthermia	Exposure to extreme cold or heat	Organ failure, death
Sexual Assault	Forced sexual acts or harassment	PTSD, depression, long-term trauma
Psychological Trauma	Humiliation, threats, isolation	PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk

If your child suffered any of these injuries due to hazing, they may be entitled to significant compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Dawson County?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can share responsibility, including:

Defendant	Why They’re Liable	Example from Our Current Case
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter	Directly organized and conducted hazing	Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter waterboarded our client
National Fraternity/Sorority Organization	Failed to supervise, ignored prior incidents	Pi Kappa Phi National knew about Andrew Coffey’s death (2017) and did nothing
University/College	Failed to monitor Greek life, owned property where hazing occurred	University of Houston owned the fraternity house
Individual Members	Participated in or facilitated hazing	Chapter president, pledgemaster, active members
Alumni/Advisors	Allowed hazing at their homes, failed to report	Former member and spouse hosted hazing at their residence
Housing Corporations	Owned property where hazing occurred	Beta Nu Housing Corporation controlled the UH fraternity house

We sue everyone responsible—because hazing is never just one person’s fault.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Dawson County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can worsen over time. Get your child to a doctor or hospital right away.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
Save all communications – texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
Document witness names – other pledges, friends, bystanders
Keep all medical records – hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records
Do NOT delete anything – even if it’s embarrassing or seems irrelevant

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone

They will try to control the narrative
They may destroy evidence
They may pressure your child to stay silent
Anything your child says can be used against them

Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media

Even innocent posts (like “I’m fine”) can be used to minimize injuries
Photos of your child at parties can be used to claim they weren’t hurt
Stay off social media until your case is resolved

Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Time is critical – Montana has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases
Evidence disappears fast – fraternities delete messages, universities destroy records
We’ll handle everything – we’ll preserve evidence, file claims, and fight for justice

📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911

What Compensation Can Dawson County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Type of Damages	Examples
Medical Expenses	Hospital bills, surgery, therapy, future treatment
Lost Wages	Time missed from work due to injuries
Pain and Suffering	Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD
Mental Anguish	Anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation
Educational Disruption	Tuition refunds, scholarship loss, delayed graduation
Punitive Damages	Additional money to punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption)
Wrongful Death	If hazing resulted in death, compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and future earnings

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for our client’s injuries. Dawson County families deserve the same aggressive representation.

Dawson County Hazing Cases: Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child was hazed but didn’t report it. Can we still sue?

Yes. Many hazing victims don’t report due to fear, shame, or loyalty to the organization. You still have legal rights. Montana’s statute of limitations gives you 3 years from the date of injury to file a claim.

2. The fraternity said my child “consented.” Does that matter?

No. Under Montana law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable for injuries.

3. The university said they didn’t know about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

Yes. Universities have a duty to monitor Greek life and prevent hazing. If they failed to implement proper oversight, they can be held liable—especially if they’ve had prior hazing incidents.

4. What if the hazing happened off-campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it occurred at a private residence, the homeowners (and their insurance) may also be liable.

5. How long will a hazing lawsuit take?

Every case is different, but most hazing lawsuits take 1-3 years to resolve. Some settle quickly if the evidence is strong, while others go to trial if the organization refuses to take responsibility.

6. Will my child have to testify?

Possibly, but we’ll prepare them thoroughly. Many cases settle before trial, so your child may never have to face the defendants in court.

7. What if the fraternity says it was “just a prank”?

Hazing is never a prank—it’s abuse. Waterboarding, forced exercise until collapse, and physical beatings are not “jokes.” They’re assault, battery, and reckless endangerment, and they carry serious legal consequences.

8. Can we sue if no one was physically injured?

Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is also compensable. Many hazing victims suffer long-term emotional harm even if they weren’t hospitalized.

9. What if the fraternity is already suspended?

That doesn’t protect them from liability. In fact, suspensions often happen after a victim comes forward—proving the organization knew about the problem and failed to stop it.

10. How much is my Dawson County hazing case worth?

It depends on the severity of the injuries, the egregiousness of the conduct, and the defendants’ ability to pay. Recent hazing cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including:

$10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
$6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
$110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)

We’ll fight for the maximum compensation your family deserves.

Dawson County Hazing Lawyers: We’re Ready to Fight for You

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not harmless.

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s illegal. And it must stop.

If your child was hazed in Dawson County, we can help. Attorney 911 is ready to take on the fraternities, sororities, and universities that failed to protect them.

📞 Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com

We don’t get paid unless you win. Dawson County families pay $0 upfront.

Dawson County Hazing Resources

Emergency & Crisis Support

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
Montana 211: Dial 211 for local mental health resources

Hazing Reporting & Prevention

StopHazing.org – Research, education, and prevention resources
HazingPrevention.org – National organization dedicated to ending hazing
Gordie Center – Focuses on alcohol education and hazing prevention

Montana-Specific Resources

Montana University System Hazing Policy – Link
Montana State University Billings – Student Conduct – Link
University of Montana – Fraternity & Sorority Life – Link

Dawson County Parents: The Time to Act Is Now

Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

You don’t have to fight this alone. Attorney 911 is here to help Dawson County families hold hazing organizations accountable—and prevent this from happening to someone else’s child.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation.